The Female Leads Truly Loves You - Chapter 167

Chapter 167: Brother, where are you off to?
“Is that… Angel?”

“How did she get here?”

“What did she mean by what she just said? Did someone invite her?”

The president of the Youth Literature Department looked puzzledly at Dahlia, who immediately shook her head frantically.

“I have no idea… I didn’t say anything to her.”

So, the problem became quite clear.

Although not many people were gathered here, there were still about ten individuals present, including Sam, Sophie, and Isabella.

The rest were members of the Youth Literature Department and a few from the photography club.

And now, all eyes were on this suddenly appeared girl with a distinctive aura.

Sophie seemed to realize something; her expression quickly turned colder, and although she was already somewhat impatient and aloof before, now she reached a new level of iciness.

Sam felt a sudden chill, as if an ice mage had cast a frost spell.

Angel walked straight up to Sam and Sophie, ignoring everyone else’s gaze.

She smiled at them, while Sophie met her gaze directly, seemingly unwilling to show any weakness in front of this girl.

Sam, however, appeared quite calm.

It should be fine, right?

After all, it was just a photo shoot, and there hadn’t been any physical contact or intimate gestures… but the look in this girl’s eyes was truly unsettling.

That dangerous gaze seemed as if it wanted to dissect him on the spot.

“How did you come here?”

Sam had no choice but to initiate the conversation, as it seemed no one else dared to speak to Angel with her presence dominating the atmosphere.

Angel squinted at Sam.

“Are you not happy with my appearance, afraid it might ruin your plans?”

Sam quickly responded with a smile.

“How could that be? I’m just helping out the Youth Literature Department with a photo shoot…”

“Then why didn’t you ask me to take the photo with you?”

Sam wanted to say, ‘Well, you have to let people dare to ask you first. Who do you think you are, Angel Heiress? It takes a huge amount of courage just to speak to you.’

That was the truth, but to spare Angel’s feelings, Sam could only smile and say,

“How would I know their requirements… They approached us at the Ultimate Human Department, so I just lent a hand.”

Angel scoffed disdainfully, then turned her head to Sophie, her posture as if she was interrogating them in turns.

Sam and Sophie were like prisoners waiting to be dealt with, and this girl was like a judge from heaven.

“And you, when you heard it was him you’d be taking photos with, you couldn’t resist agreeing?”

Sam thought Sophie would retort, but unexpectedly, the first thing Sophie said was,

“What’s it to you?”

Well, that’s something!

Sam almost wanted to give this girl a thumbs up.

And you, Sophie, my friend, you’re the true warrior here!

Angel’s smile deepened, clearly indicating that the danger level was skyrocketing.

“It seems you’ve grown bolder. It looks like you’re struggling to do well in what you wish to, aren’t you? But the photo shoot isn’t going too well, feeling helpless?”

Sophie couldn’t stand such questioning more than she could Angel’s high status.

She looked directly at her, her face slightly flushed with anger.

“It’s none of your business. We’re just getting started. We’ll find our groove soon enough, and it’s not all my fault.”

Angel directly said to Sophie,

“Good is good, bad is bad. What do you mean ‘soon’? Move aside.”

With that, she squeezed in between Sam and Sophie, suddenly making it three of them standing in a row.

The only piece of good news was that the photo shoot was designed to use the rain as a backdrop, not to actually enter it, so there was no worry about getting wet.

However, with three people lined up in a row for the shot… well, that seemed more like a family portrait.

In which case, Sam was definitely playing the role of the father.

“What are you doing?”

The others watched this dramatic scene unfold with various expressions of bemusement.

Sophie was particularly displeased with Angel’s behavior.

Meanwhile, Angel was looking ahead, eyeing the photographer from the photography club, who seemed unsure of what to do with the camera.

“Since her effect isn’t very good, would you mind if someone else took her place?”

With Angel’s demeanor and presence… who would dare object?

But to replace someone without Sophie’s consent, wasn’t that a bit inappropriate?

“Well…”

The photographer looked awkwardly towards Dahlia, who immediately turned to Isabella beside her, seeking help.

Isabella seemed to be pondering something, then she approached the trio.

“Hello, Angel. I’m Isabella, the president of The Ultimate Human Department.”

“Oh, what’s up?”

Angel tilted her head slightly—not because Isabella was particularly tall, but because this girl habitually assumed a superior posture when speaking with others.

Isabella, aware of Angel’s nature and not minding her arrogant stance, asked,

“Do you want to take the photo with Sam?”

“Is that a problem?”

“It’s not that it’s a problem… It’s just that Sophie and Sam were the chosen pair, and your sudden inclusion…”

Isabella hadn’t finished her sentence when Angel interrupted her.

“Haven’t you already tried? If you can’t get a good result, you should consider changing people. Otherwise, do you plan to waste a whole day here? Replacing the unsuitable person is the best choice.”

Hearing this, Sophie immediately bristled with defiance.

She didn’t want to compete with Angel over anything, nor would she admit that her attitude towards Sam had been changing ever since she met him, continually pushing her boundaries.

Sophie simply couldn’t stand Angel’s disrespectful attitude towards others, and what right did she have to say Sophie wasn’t good enough?

“I disagree. It’s just the beginning; how can you be so sure about everything? You show up uninvited, not even as a backup, and what gives you the right to force your way in?”

Sam was somewhat surprised; this seemed to be the first time Sophie was so adamant about something.

The people around looked at Sam as if they envied him, as if they envied this boy who seemed to be the object of a ‘struggle’ between two girls.

But only Sam knew the truth and was almost in tears. Don’t be fooled by these two girls’ beautiful appearances; a slight misstep could really be deadly.

Sam looked towards Isabella, desperately signaling with his eyes, hoping she could play a role at this moment to at least defuse the situation.

In response, Isabella seemed to have an idea suddenly.

“I have a suggestion, would you like to hear it?”

“What is it?”

“Both of you take turns taking photos with Sam, and then we choose the best set of photos. That way, we can see who is the most suitable, right?”

Sophie didn’t even think before responding, “Why should I compete with her? I was the chosen one from the start.”

Angel, however, smirked and said with a smile, “Interesting. What’s the matter, Sophie, afraid of competing with me? Afraid you won’t be able to accept the outcome? If that’s the case, you might as well quit now; it would be more dignified.”

Originally, Sophie was unwilling because she felt Angel had no reason to barge in suddenly. But when Angel put it that way, Sophie also sneered.

“Afraid? I’m worried you won’t be able to accept the outcome. If that’s the case, let’s give it a try.”

“Fine, I’ll go first. Don’t say I bullied you.”

Sam thought about it and decided it was better to lower the hand he wanted to raise. No one listened to his opinion before, and now with these two girls… his opinion was even less likely to be considered.

Sophie, not one to back down, walked to the side with full confidence, adopting a stance that said: I’d like to see how you manage! She stood by and watched.

Sam was truly speechless.

The actual shooting process was simple and straightforward, but the result had to be a competition to see who was more suitable… No matter who was chosen in the end, Sam would offend the other party.

Following these developments, how could things be smoothed over? Both girls were not the type to accept defeat, and neither would willingly admit being lesser than the other.

Isabella clapped her hands together with evident joy.

“Great, let’s get started then. I’m really looking forward to this~”

Everyone promptly took their positions.

And Angel knew exactly what the spectators wanted to see.

She didn’t need to apply any makeup or change her clothes. Compared to Sophie, her aura wasn’t the slightest bit inferior, and one might even say each had their own unique charm.

Sam could only stand to the side, holding an umbrella in one hand and the other in his pocket.

His slightly lazy demeanor was accented as he lifted his head slightly, his messy hair revealing a pair of beautiful, deep eyes.

The pronounced Adam’s apple added a distinctly masculine vibe to the image, crisp and evocative.

Angel stood close by Sam’s side, almost leaning against him, showing no aversion to bodily contact.

She then looked towards the camera with a calm and natural demeanor.

Her head was also slightly raised, her backpack slung over one shoulder, and her gaze carried a unique arrogance that immediately commanded respect, yet also ignited a desire to conquer.

The photographer seemed to instantly find the right feel, shooting from various angles and occasionally reminding them of minor details.

Isabella couldn’t help but remark upon seeing this scene.

“They really look well-matched… I didn’t expect Sam to stand out even beside an heiress like Angel…”

Sophie remained silent.

She had to admit, from any angle, the two of them looked remarkably well together in the frame, almost like a beautifully crafted painting, depicting a scene not even idol dramas could conjure.

But Sophie would never concede she was inferior to Angel.

If Angel could do it, why couldn’t she?

She was just in the wrong mindset before, that’s all.

Now, Sophie was ignited with a fierce determination.

Was it just about being photogenic? Was it just about connection and chemistry?

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes slightly.

Sam and Angel quickly finished their shoot.

Sophie walked up directly, while Angel smiled at the girl who seemed to overestimate herself.

“See for yourself, right? But some things, no matter how hard you try to imitate or strive for compatibility, are just futile attempts.”

Sophie sneered.

“Just watch, the result isn’t certain yet.”

“Very well, then I’ll look forward to your performance.”

Next, it was Sophie’s turn to stand beside Sam.

Sam felt almost stiff from holding the pose; while he wasn’t physically tired due to his constitution, the mental strain was indeed taxing.

Sam could distinctly sense a change in Sophie’s aura as she came back to his side.

It seemed a bit more extroverted than before.

Originally, she was quite reserved, keeping her emotions hidden so no one could guess what she was thinking or planning.

Now, her presence and aura seemed to declare to everyone: She is unique and irreplaceable.

Sam could almost smell the gunpowder in the air, thick with her fighting spirit.

“Ready? We’re going to start.” The photographer alerted them.

Sam nodded to indicate he was ready, then was startled by a slight touch on his arm.

Turning his head in surprise, he saw Sophie, who had avoided any physical contact during the previous shoot, not only standing very close to him but also reaching out to hold the lower end of the umbrella handle, just below where Sam was holding it!

Sam’s little finger felt the temperature of her palm, slightly cool, and sensed their arms almost touching due to the movement.

He couldn’t believe Sophie would initiate such contact, and his heartbeat inexplicably quickened.

He could also clearly see Sophie’s ears, hidden beneath her hair, seeming to turn even redder.

Sophie faced forward, her expression betraying no flaws. If it weren’t for such details, Sam would have sworn everything before was just an act by this girl.

Isabella’s eyes widened, while Angel’s pupils sharply contracted, her icy aura seemingly spreading instantly.

The photographer, as if he had stumbled upon something incredible, excitedly grabbed his camera.

“That’s the pose! My God, Sophie, you’re a genius! Sam, don’t look at the camera! Just like that, look at her! Give me a profile, just like that! Don’t move, don’t move!!”

“Click~~~~”

“Good, good, let’s change the pose. Now, Sam, you look at the camera, and Sophie, you look at his face! Just like that, hiss… That’s so evocative, so full of feeling!”

“Click~~~”

They took just those two shots.

The moment it ended, Sophie withdrew her hand, and Sam had already noticed her earlobes turning bright red.

Actually, Sam hadn’t really felt the camera at all. By Sophie’s side, he experienced a wondrous atmosphere.

It was so quiet that only the sound of rain and her breathing and heartbeat could be heard. This magical power was something even Angel couldn’t provide him.

But surprisingly, he could feel it with Sophie…

What exactly was this? Was it his imagination? Or had this feeling always been there, just unnoticed by him before?

At this moment, Angel approached them, while everyone else sensibly moved aside to discuss the outcome.

She gave Sophie a dangerous look first.

“You really went all out… You’ve probably been wanting to do something like this for a while, haven’t you?”

Sophie clearly understood what Angel meant, and of course, she wouldn’t admit it, but she didn’t want to discuss it at the moment. Instead, she looked at Angel with a triumphant smile.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but it seems like you think you’re going to lose, right?”

“What a joke, you can’t possibly win even with such petty tricks. You think you’ve already won? Ridiculous.”

“The only ridiculous one here will be known shortly.”

Sam wanted to take this chance to slip away quietly. It seemed there was nothing left for him to do here, and escaping was of utmost importance.

But soon, a gaze shifted towards him.

“Brother, where are you off to?”

Sam turned stiffly, facing Angel, who was looking at him with a charming yet dangerous smile.

Sophie, on the other hand, was taken aback.

“brother?”

Angel smiled.

“Oh, you didn’t know? He’s now my mother’s godson, which nominally makes him my brother. Oh, and a little piece of trivia… You should know I’m an only child, and what does it mean for a young man to become a godson?”

Sophie understood, of course.

Adopting adults as godsons or goddaughters is not uncommon in Kuhang and is even quite common in some major families, with a long history behind it.

A famous example is the fourth CEO of Fordson, who was first adopted and then married the daughter of the previous head of Fordson, eventually taking control of the huge conglomerate. Even his father-in-law was a son-in-law.

What Angel implied couldn’t be clearer…

Sophie couldn’t believe how quickly things were progressing.

She glanced at Sam, who didn’t object, though he knew the real situation wasn’t as decisive as it seemed. But speaking out now would be a great offense to Angel.

And he couldn’t bring himself to do it.

Sophie turned to Angel and said coldly.

“What’s it to me? I don’t see what there is to brag about. What you consider a treasure is not the same for everyone.”

Angel’s smile was triumphant.

“Is that so? Good, I hope you always remember what you said. It’ll be quite embarrassing if you change your mind later.”

“You…”

“Alright, the results are out!”

Finally, Isabella’s announcement cut through everything.

Both girls turned to look in that direction.

Their competitive spirit was obvious and undeniable, impossible to hide.