She frantically scrubbed her body as if trying to completely wash away his scent, her fair skin rubbed red from the effort. Yet no matter how much she washed, his smell lingered obstinately.
After a long while, she finally gave up. Dressed and composed, she stepped out of the bathroom, looking much the same as the Sophie Smith of yesterday. Yet, the hollow look in her eyes betrayed her.
She was no longer the clean, whole Sophie Smith of yesterday.
Sophie picked up her bag from the sofa, turned, and walked out without glancing at Asher Land. Strangely, he accepted her defiance and let her go!
Of course, this was only temporary.
The viciousness in his eyes only grew. Trying to escape him? Impossible, unless he grew tired of the game.
Back at the dormitory, Isabella Yates, Eva Miller, and Amy were all there. Sophie's expression was slightly unnatural as she put down her bag and lay down on the bed.
"Sophie, you didn't come back all night. Where did you go? Didn't you say you were going out with Edward Harrison for a late-night snack? Did you eat all night?" Eva Miller asked, looking at the dazed Sophie.
"No, after the snack, we went to KTV and sang until morning. That's why I'm just getting back now."
She spun the lie she had long prepared. She felt so exhausted, truly, her heart was weary, her body as well. After doing something so foolish, she was still using Edward as a scapegoat. She felt an impulse to slap herself, and turning to face the wall, a tear rolled down her cheek.
"Then rest for a while," Eva said before hurrying back to her desk to continue scrolling through her gossip news.
"Ah!" Eva shrieked like a banshee.
"Hey, Eva Miller, what's with the sudden screech?" Isabella Yates complained.
"Oh my God! The leading actress for City of Desire has been decided, it's Sophie, it's Sophie!" Eva's voice was so excited it seemed she might burst into tears.
Asher Land's efficiency was indeed fast.
"What?" Isabella Yates and Amy couldn't help but turn their gaze towards Sophie on the bed.
"Impossible!" Isabella declared decisively. How could it possibly be her?
"See for yourself, the official site has accurate news and even photos of Sophie auditioning." Eva rushed to the bedside, "Sophie, did you hear me? You made it, the lead role in City of Desire is yours!"
"Is that so?" Her voice was flat, lacking any emotion, "Eva, I didn't sleep well last night, I'm a bit tired, I want to rest for now."
"Ah?" Clearly, Sophie's attitude was baffling. Such a momentous and celebratory event, yet her reaction was so unreasonable. If it were Eva, she'd manage to crawl out of bed even if she were paralyzed!
"Never mind, Sophie, you're treating us tonight, you better splurge," Eva said to Sophie.
"Alright, whatever you feel like eating tonight, it's on me."
Was it really Sophie?
Isabella Yates read through the entire news article, her face pale, almost ready to smash the computer to the ground. Why was it her? What did she, Isabella Yates, lack in comparison?
Furious, Isabella swept the books off her desk, and stormed out the door.
"Is she okay?" Amy asked cautiously.
"What's wrong with her? It's just that she can't stand Sophie doing well. Ignore her," Eva replied, as though unfazed by such behavior.
Her phone vibrated beside her bed. Seeing who was calling, she pressed decline without hesitation.
She vowed never to see him again in this life, the sinister and despicable man.