Chapter 3 Awakening

Nicholas's finger just twitched!

That tiny movement was enough to shift the tense vibe in the room. Lorenzo's face darkened, a weird look flashing in his eyes.

Warren's eyes lit up with joy as he stepped forward, trembling, and called out, "Nicholas."

Nicholas still had his eyes shut tight, like that little twitch was just a trick of the light. Diana looked anxiously at Sophia and couldn't help but ask, "When's Nicholas gonna wake up?"

Sophia put away the needle and explained in a serious tone, "Mr. Martinez is still poisoned. I just used the needle to stimulate him. Once the poison's gone, he'll wake up naturally."

Warren gripped his cane tightly and nodded. "I believe you. I have your info. Later, I'll have someone handle the marriage papers for you and Nicholas. Tonight, you'll stay in the same room to get to know each other better."

Sophia's face showed a hint of unease. Getting married so fast? And she had to stay with Nicholas tonight? Even though he was in a vegetative state, Sophia still felt uncomfortable.

Warren then turned to Mark and said, "Bring up the wedding stuff we prepared earlier and decorate the room properly. From now on, Sophia is Mrs. Martinez of the Martinez family."

Sophia didn't even get a chance to speak and could only stand awkwardly to the side, watching as several servants quickly decorated the room.

All the wedding supplies had been prepared in advance, and soon, the plain room was transformed into a festive bridal chamber. She could only manage to say, "Thank you, Mr. Martinez."

After the bridal chamber was set up, it was soon time for dinner. Today was a family dinner for the Martinez family, with only a few of them present. Sophia sat in her chair, looking at the fancy dishes in front of her with little appetite.

Lorenzo's gaze flickered with malice, and he couldn't resist a sardonic remark, "I really admire the shamelessness of the Anderson family, using a murderer for a marriage alliance and still getting so many benefits."

He paused here, his eyes full of contempt. "Wanting the resources and benefits of the Martinez family, yet unwilling to send the other daughter over, making us the laughingstock of the whole city."

Diana, provoked by these words, also stared at Sophia with some dissatisfaction. "Ordinary families are just so shameless, wanting everything and showing such disgusting faces."

Sophia's face was cold as she calmly looked at Diana. "Mrs. Martinez, this marriage is a business deal, but it is also a mutual exchange. We are each getting what we want."

Her voice was clear and pleasant to the ear, yet it carried a coldness that kept people at a distance.

Lorenzo seized the opportunity to strike, slamming his utensils on the table. "What do you mean by that attitude and tone? Don't think that just because we agreed to let you marry in, you can act arrogantly and disrespect your elders!"

Sophia sat there with a straight back, her beautiful eyes devoid of any emotion. "I am stating facts. Which part did you hear as disrespect to elders?"

She could see the little schemes brewing in Lorenzo's mind. Especially after he noticed Nicholas's reaction to her treatment, his attacks on her got more intense, clearly wanting to drive her out.

Diana's face darkened, and just as she was about to say something, a sudden scream came from the stairs on the second floor. "Don't you dare bully her!"

Sophia instinctively looked upstairs and saw a small child running down, with a servant trailing behind, constantly reminding him to be careful. She stared at the child in surprise, instantly realizing that this must be Nicholas's son, Barry Martinez. The thought that she was now his stepmother hit her with unexpected force.

What surprised her even more was that Barry stood right in front of her, angrily saying to Diana, "Don't you dare bully her!"

Sophia blinked, momentarily at a loss. He was actually defending her? They were meeting for the first time, yet this child gave her a very familiar feeling.

Diana immediately backed down, hurriedly squatting in front of him. "Barry, why did you come downstairs by yourself? How could I possibly bully her?"

She carefully coaxed Barry, then glanced at Sophia, "Sophia, did I bully you just now?"

Sophia cooperated by shaking her head, "No."

Barry was the crown jewel of the Martinez family, the only great-grandchild, and he was spoiled beyond measure. Diana clasped his small hand tenderly. "Barry, it's getting late. How about I take you upstairs to tell you a story?"

Barry pursed his lips, his eyes searching Sophia's face. After a while, he nodded and said okay. However, as he went upstairs, he kept looking back at her.

Sophia watched him go, her eyes clouded with a blend of confusion and something inexplicably familiar. She put down her utensils and went upstairs, only to find Lorenzo following her at some point.

His face was full of a provocative, greasy smile. "A long wedding night with a vegetative husband is so boring. Why not come to my room?"

Sophia's gaze turned icy, sweeping over him with palpable disdain. "What do you think you are?"

A flash of malice crossed Lorenzo's eyes as he stepped forward and threatened, "Don't think you can really wake Nicholas. Once you lose your value, you won’t survive a day in the Martinez family. I am your only way out now."

Sophia curled her lips in disdain, "The Martinez family will never fall into your hands. If you dare to harass me again, I will definitely go to Mr. Warren Martinez and let him know what his supposedly obedient son has said to me."

Lorenzo's facade crumbled instantly. Her words cut deep, each one a stabbing accusation. He seethed, "You'll regret this. We'll see!"

Sophia remained expressionless and turned directly into the bridal chamber.

Looking at Nicholas on the bed, she sighed slightly in her heart. Despite everything, she knew she needed the legitimacy that being Nicholas's wife afforded her.

Sophia unbuttoned Nicholas's shirt and massaged his arm muscles. She subconsciously muttered, "From now on, I am your wife. I may not be able to help you much, but I can guarantee that I will never harm you."

She quickly finished massaging the upper body, and just as she was about to take off his pants, she suddenly met a pair of cold yet somewhat confused eyes.

Sophia was instantly dumbfounded. "You... I..."

At this moment, her hand was still on Nicholas's pants!