Jake did not bother arguing with Sophia Montgomery after her apology.
The apology itself had been perfunctory at best, little more than a few reluctant words forced out under pressure from Charles Montgomery. Still, Jake had no interest in dragging the matter out. Compared with everything else now in motion, her arrogance barely mattered.
He simply looked at her and said, in an even tone, “What you hear is not always the truth. At our age, you should know better than to judge someone entirely based on gossip.”
Sophia’s expression tightened immediately.
“And who exactly are you to lecture me?” she shot back.
Charles gave her a sharp look, then turned to Jake with a faintly apologetic expression. “Please don’t take it personally.”
Jake waved it off. “Save the polite talk. I saved your
