My Dreamy Old Husband novel Chapter 181

Michael’s expression darkened, but he maintained a poker face when he chased Stanley out of the house. “It’s getting late. You should get going now!”

The Imperial wasn’t too far away from the military compound, and so Stanley would be able to get home by taking a bus.

Michael checked his reflection in the mirror when he walked into the house while mumbling to himself, “Illegitimate daughter, my foot…”

The character Michael was playing had fallen into a desperate situation in the show, so he deliberately left the stubble along his jaw without shaving it off just to make himself look haggard. Therefore, in comparison, he could tell the vast contrast when he returned home to see his young and delicate ‘child bride’, who looked as pretty as a flower…

She had a pair of earphones on, and her laptop was turned on too. She was playing the lecture from the Further Mathematics class.

Lately, there had been a rise in live broadcast. Even Bayside University lecturers would do some live broadcast to give lectures when they had the time. Sophia had been watching these live broadcasts and online tutorials at home for the past few days to make up for the lessons she missed.

Seeing as Sophia was studying so seriously, Michael didn’t want to bother her.

Suddenly, the phone Sophia left by the bed rang, but she didn’t hear it. Nathan heard the ringtone, and so he turned around to check. Coincidentally, he saw Michael sneaking in to take Sophia’s phone away. Nevertheless, Nathan remained silent, and he continued with his homework, as if nothing out of the ordinary happened.

Michael took the phone away to answer it outside of the room. He glanced at the caller ID on the screen. Richard Harper.

Why is this fellow calling again?

After answering the phone call, Michael kept quiet while waiting for Richard to speak.

Richard did not say anything because he was too ashamed to speak to Sophia. They were in a stalemate for more than ten seconds, but Richard broke the silence in the end.

“Sophia, thank you for helping with this issue. It looks like there’s hope for my sister. Director Jenkins has also agreed to work with us. However, we have to pay a huge price. He wants the Harpers’ ancestral home. Sophia, you know how important the Harpers’ ancestral home is for us. Mother almost fainted after learning that we are losing our ancestral home. Therefore, Sophia, if you can, please get the ancestral home back for me, can you? I am sure you can. As long as you put in more effort when you’re with Joel. As long as he says the word, anything is possible. But you shouldn’t worry and don’t feel pressured because I don’t mind such things. No matter what happens, you are still the purest girl in my heart. Once my sister’s affairs are in order and we get our ancestral home back, I’ll take you to meet my mother officially. Although she is unhappy that you didn’t manage to preserve the Harpers’ ancestral home, she will have nothing to say as long as you are able to get us the ancestral home back. Sophia, if it bothers you, you can undergo hymen repair surgery in the future.”

Michael listened to Richard’s entire monologue. He even left the phone on speaker mode when he was having dinner. Michael paid close attention throughout the phone call, and so everyone heard Richard’s affectionate but despicable confession to Sophia.

During dinnertime, Sophia felt utterly embarrassed. She kept her head bowed while she had her meal as she listened to Richard’s pretentious monologue from the other end of the phone call. Richard claimed that he wouldn’t despise Sophia for sleeping with Joel, but later, he explained that he would be more than happy to send her to the most high-end center for the best hymen repair surgery. The next thing she knew, he was claiming that he looked forward to their perfect future while suddenly remarking how cruel reality was. Hence, he requested Sophia to work harder in order to have Joel’s ear by getting in bed with him.

Richard spoke for an entire twenty minutes before hanging up on the phone call.

After dinner, Michael returned to the room. Then, he typed and printed out some of the classic phrases Richard mentioned over the phone call. He made a mini drama script out of it, and he acted it out with Sophia while searching for his inspiration to act like a playboy.

Coincidentally, he had accepted a role as a guest star in a movie to play the character of the female protagonist’s playboy ex-boyfriend.

Sophia sat still and acted as his prop.

Michael got into character while arranging his expression. His eyes were darting around, and he seemed distracted. In fact, he looked especially guilty, but his eyebrows were slightly raised, which gave him an air of superiority. Despite his guilty conscience, Michael made it seem as if he felt he was innocent. He forced a trace of heartfelt affection across his face, but he just couldn’t hide the greed and hypocrisy overflowing from his soul.

“Oh, Sophia!” he repeated Richard’s lines. He placed a hand on Sophia’s shoulder while gazing into her eyes affectionately, and the depth of his feelings looked more like he was doing charity—he looked as if he was facing a stray dog. It was obvious that he did not like it, but he went against his wishes by throwing the stray dog a bone. “Sophia, thank you for helping with this issue.”

Sophia regarded Michael while blinking a few times. She continued observing his performance.

Michael is undeniably one of Cethos’ best actors. He matches the image I had in my mind of Richard when I heard him over the phone earlier. He looks so engrossed, and he is presenting Richard’s despicable side of a true scum.

Michael continued with his lines, as if he was possessed by a playboy. “It looks like there’s hope for my sister. Director Jenkins has also agreed to work with us… You have to understand that your sacrifice now is for our future. Sophia, I will not detest you for your actions. You can undergo a hymen repair surgery in the future. Although we can’t have a marriage certificate, we can go abroad. I can organize a grand wedding for you at a place where nobody knows us, and I will make you the most beautiful bride on earth.”

During Richard’s phone call earlier, Sophia held back her laughter throughout the ordeal. Nevertheless, she couldn’t endure it now, and she finally burst out laughing. “Pfft…”

It was not that she wanted to laugh, but Michael looked too cute. He was wearing the frog pajama, which was vibrantly green. He even imitated Nathan by putting on his hoodie while expressing the hypocritical and insincere affection. The contrast made him look absolutely adorable.

Nevertheless, Michael was still acting out the role of a playboy, and he felt as if he had found the feeling of it. His expression remained unmoved despite Sophia’s countless bursts of laughter.

Sophia kept giggling. Suddenly, Michael wrapped his arms around her abruptly, and he sealed his lips against hers. He drowned her laughter with a deep kiss, and she was caught off guard. She felt her head spinning with the kiss. After catching her breath, she finally caught up to Michael’s pace and rhythm.

What should I do? I can feel myself falling for him…

Nathan glanced at the two of them kissing, and he turned his back to them in silence to continue with his homework.

After a few days, Sophia started preparing to return to the university for the final exams. The weather was getting colder, and it had started snowing. The snow made the world appear exceptionally loveable. Sophia sat by the floor-to-ceiling glass window while staring at the snowy scenery outside. It was already mid-winter and chilly outside, but the room was still warm and toasty, like spring. It was as if they were two different worlds.

In the past, Sophia was scared of snowing because winter was too cold. There were no heaters in the university hostel, and so students who had the choice would return home for winter. Hence, she would be the only one left in the hostel while she trembled in cold.

After breakfast, the snow stopped, and the ground was already covered with a thick layer of snow. The family of three left the house to enjoy the snow.

Michael didn’t have to film today, whereas Sophia felt better too. With winter and snow, they were just in time to enjoy the scenery.

“Dear, where are we going to enjoy the snow?” Sophia asked curiously while looking out of the window.

Michael flashed her a mysterious smile, and the car sped off in the direction of Riverdale.