Watching Sophie's timid figure trailing behind the chairman, the colleagues' chat group immediately exploded:
"What's going on? Sophie came out of the general manager's office looking dazed—"
"Isn't Sophie the airborne soldier brought in by the chairman? How come she's getting scolded too?"
"From the tone, it sounded pretty harsh. Little Sophie might be in big trouble..."
"But honestly, these past few days Sophie has indeed been slacking off at work, though she used to be very serious and responsible!"
"Probably the general manager finally couldn't stand her anymore and wants the chairman to reassign her?"
............
In the conference room, Jonathan reverted to his amiable demeanor, lifting his eyes to look at Sophie. "Don't worry, the specialist will arrive in about ten days or so. Your mother will be saved."
Sophie nodded.
"There's something I've been wanting to ask—"
"Hmm? Uncle Jonathan, what is it?" Sophie blinked.
"I've visited the hospital several times, but I've never seen your father coming to take care of your mother, nor have I heard you mention him. Why is that?" Jonathan asked straightforwardly.
The smile on Sophie's face instantly froze.
Jonathan watched her, eager for a clear answer.
Sophie turned her eyes away: "Uncle Jonathan, I don't want to mention 'that person.'" She wouldn't even say the word "father."
Jonathan was very surprised. He stared at Sophie's averted gaze and the disgusted expression on her face, taking a long while to recover. "I'm sorry, child. I know asking like this is very presumptuous and strange. It's my fault. I'm sorry, child, I was too forward."
Sophie turned her face back and suddenly said: "It's not your fault; it has nothing to do with you." She spoke with some difficulty, "I've lived with my mom since I was little and have never seen 'that person.' When I was young, seeing others have one, I askedued to ask my mom why I didn't. Mom just told me that my surname is Davies, and from the moment I was born, 'that person' didn't exist. I only have my mom, and she only has me."
Thinking of her mother, who was now suffering in the hospital awaiting treatment, tears welled up in her eyes. "Mom raised me all by herself through so much hardship. I've long grown used to it. Not having 'that person' is actually pretty good."
"Oh—, so that's how it is…" This child wouldn't even say the word "dad." Jonathan's heart was filled with mixed emotions. This is my daughter. She and her mother have suffered so much. Sarah has always been raising our daughter alone. Life in Manchester must have been incredibly hard for her.
"I'm sorry, truly sorry. I shouldn't have asked." After reaching a conclusion in his heart, Jonathan looked at Sophie with even greater tenderness.
"N-No, it's okay, Uncle Jonathan. You've already helped Mom and me so much. If 'that person' were someone like you, I would feel incredibly happy." Sophie bent deeply at the waist, bowing to him.
"If you or Sarah need anything, come to me. I will definitely help—no need to be polite." Jonathan smiled as he gently lifted Sophie's arm to help her straighten. "I'll head out now. Finish work early and don't overthink things. Remember, I've got your back. Be good—" He gave a faint smile and turned around.
But the moment he turned, the smile faded from his face…
His expression suddenly aged as if by a decade. His right hand pressed against his chest where a dull pain had begun, his face grave.
Jonathan instinctively had the driver head to the hospital. He wanted to ask her directly—why she left back then, why she didn't tell him even though they had Sophie, how things had been for them in Manchester…
As the car slowly pulled into the hospital parking lot, he calmed down. The doctor had warned him that Sarah must not be agitated now; otherwise, her tumor could rupture, with unimaginable consequences. Jonathan turned the car around and instructed the driver to find Sarah's brother—the man who had been his driver years ago, when Sarah first met him… He needed to ask him clearly why Sarah left, and what had happened in the years after.
......
That afternoon on the day of the birthday banquet, Sophie was still in class at school.
Ned's low voice came through the phone: "The birthday banquet starts at seven. I'll come pick you up from school, and we'll go together, okay?"
"No need. My classes end at three in the afternoon, and the banquet is still early. I want to go home first to finish my school homework, then change clothes before heading over." Holding the phone Archibald had given her, she spoke with feigned composure.
"I thought you'd be really nervous. Looks like I guessed wrong—you don't seem nervous at all." Ned's lips curled into a smirk. "I figured today you'd have no mood for class, and once home, you'd anxiously fuss over your makeup and outfit, eagerly awaiting the banquet."
"Actually, I am pretty nervous—I'm not lying to you. But I've been telling myself there's nothing to be nervous about. Didn't you say it yourself? I'm attending your birthday banquet. As long as you're happy, that's all that matters. I shouldn't care about what others think." Sophie smiled with a touch of detachment.
There was a long silence on Ned's end. "Is that so? That's really how you think?"
"Yeah, that's exactly how I think. Because you're there, I'm not nervous."
"I'm really glad you said 'because you're there.' It means you're truly taking our relationship seriously." Ned summed it up.
She was speechless, her heart pounding... She always fell into Ned's romantic traps without realizing it.
"Do you really not need me to pick you up?" he asked, his voice noticeably brighter.
"Really, no need to come." Sophie exhaled with difficulty.
"Then I'll drive over at six-thirty to get you, okay?"
"Absolutely not. You're the star of the banquet tonight. If the guests notice you're missing, it won't look good. And you'll definitely be busy, so please don't come pick me up. I'll take a car there myself." Sophie waved her hands frantically.
Ned lowered his gaze on the other end, his smile slowly fading. "Alright then. See you tonight!"
"See you tonight!" Hanging up, Sophie packed her bag and prepared to head home.
The evening birthday banquet was fully orchestrated by Victoria. To create opportunities for her chosen candidate, she hadn't invited many guests—just over a dozen close friends and a few relatives of similar age. The party was held directly in the grand living room at home.
Just past six, she urged her son to head to the Cadogan residence to pick up Lara and her mother.
"Ned, you're here to get me!" Lara had skipped school that afternoon, spending the entire time meticulously doling herself up. She and her mother had then sat in the living room waiting for Ned.
"Of course, it's my pleasure." He replied with refined courtesy.