Chapter 2420

Sophia stood hesitantly outside Jason's door, her hand frozen mid-air, about to knock. The deep, masculine response from inside made her heart race.

"Just breathe," Sophia murmured to herself, trying to muster some courage. It was Jason who had feelings for her, not the other way around. And wasn't it him who had kissed her that day? If anyone should feel nervous, it should be him, not her.

"Don't be afraid!" She whispered to herself, aiming for a sense of nonchalance.

But the sleepless nights had taken their toll, leaving dark circles under her eyes. Would Jason notice? And if he pressed her for answers, what would she say? Mentioning Robin might only make things worse.

Lost in thought, Sophia was startled when the door suddenly swung open. Jason stood there, an unreadable expression in his eyes. "What are you doing, waiting for me to open the door for you?"

Her face flushed with irritation. "Oh, I wouldn't dare expect Mr. Gilder to open the door for me. I'm not that important."

Jason retorted, "Maybe not important, but certainly feisty!"

Sophia just glared at him as he turned and walked back into his office, telling her

to close the door behind her. The brief exchange seemed to ease her nerves, though she still avoided making eye contact. "Did you need to see me about something?"

Jason, seated behind his desk, spoke matter-of-factly. "Mrs. Jasmine sent some things for you. Pick them up from my place tonight."

"My mom sent something for me?" Sophia's curiosity was piqued.

"You'll see when you get there."

"Why didn't you bring it with you?"

Jason looked up at her. "Expecting me to treat you the same as before? If you don't want to be my girlfriend, you can't expect the perks of being one. Thinking too highly of yourself, aren't you?"

Sophia's face turned red with anger. "So, if I don't agree to be your girlfriend, we can't even be friends?"

"That's right!" Jason affirmed, locking eyes with her. "Sophia, don't be greedy. You can't expect to enjoy my affection without considering my feelings. The world doesn't work that way."

Feeling like a hole had been punched through her heart, Sophia's flush faded to pale. "You're right. I've been too greedy. I'm sorry. From now on, we'll just be boss and subordinate, strangers, not even friends."

With that, she turned to leave, but Jason quickly stepped forward, shutting the door she had attempted to open, and faced her coldly. "So you're willing to throw away years of friendship just like that? From today, you're giving up on me completely?"

Tears welled up in Sophia's eyes as she demanded, "Let me go!"

Jason's voice was tinged with sorrow as he held her closer. "You might as well stab me in the heart. It would hurt less than this torment."

Sophia struggled in his embrace, her tears flowing freely. "You were the one who didn't want to be friends!"

"So, if we're not dating, we're nothing? Was your friendship all just a strategy?"

"I valued our relationship like family, you know how much it meant to me!"

At her last words, Jason's mix of heartache and frustration turned into a bitter

laugh, a laugh filled with both sadness and resignation.