Harper lifted a brow, pretending to play dumb. "It was an accident. Seriously. Total accident."
"An accident?" Sophia echoed.
"Yeah. He... wouldn’t stop pestering ."
"Ryan is in City Y. How exactly did he ’pester’ you?"
Sophia frowned. Ryan was out of the country. How could he show up?
"He ca back. A few days ago."
Ryan was back... and didn’t contact her? That alone was shocking.
And the Wright family still lurking around, waiting for the perfect mont to strike?
If Ryan really liked Harper, Sophia wasn’t against it—
She just had her doubts. And right now? They were multiplying.
"Sophia," William said suddenly, "co over for dinner soti."
"Dinner? At your house?"
"Yeah. My parents will be traveling soon."
Of course. William’s parents never liked the idea of him being close to her. They acted like watchdogs guarding their precious son’s emotions.
"We’ll see. When I have ti."
Before anyone could continue, Sophia’s phone buzzed.
She answered, "Hello?"
"Where are you?" Lucas’ deep voice rolled through the phone, along with the low hum of traffic.
She shifted slightly in her seat. "Why?"
"I ca to pick you up from work. They said you’d already left."
"I’m having dinner with William and Harper."
"Where?"
"KL Bistro."
A short hum. "I’ll be there in ten minutes."
She hung up and looked at William. "Lucas is coming."
"...Sophia, are you two actually reconciling?" Harper asked, but William was the one who tensed, fingers tightening around his glass.
Sophia’s eyes softened with sothing dangerously close to tenderness. "For now... yeah."
"Sophia, you once said you’d never fall for him..." William murmured.
"That was then," she replied quietly. "I didn’t expect him to crash into my life the way he did."
Lucas wasn’t part of her plan. He was fate kicking down her door.
William lowered his gaze, a small pained smile tugging at his lips.
She could’ve chosen anyone—anyone but him.
And he had no one to bla but himself for never confessing when he had the chance.
After a while, Lucas arrived.
He walked straight to Sophia’s side and sat down as if the spot belonged to him.
"Mr. Hilton really does enjoy showing up uninvited," William remarked coolly.
Lucas didn’t blink. "Mr. Carter took my wife out without permission. Wouldn’t that make you the bold one?"
"We’re friends. Or are you planning to dictate who Sophia is allowed to associate with?"
"I said nothing of the sort," Lucas replied with a calm smile. "I simply find it interesting how defensive you’re getting."
Sophia covered her face internally. Here they go again.
"Sophia," Lucas said suddenly, voice softening to a velvety warmth, "Mrs. Wilson finished dinner. The kids are waiting for you. Are you coming ho?"
Sophia stared at him suspiciously. "Are you... sick?"
"No."
He caught her wrist before she could check his forehead. Smiling that perfect, dangerous smile.
"Don’t smile at like that. It gives chills," she deadpanned.
Smile—gone instantly.
Sophia snorted, then turned to William and Harper.
"Guys, today’s not ideal. Let’s hang out another day."
William nodded. "Sure."
Lucas wrapped an arm around Sophia’s waist and walked her out.
Once they were gone, Harper bumped her brother lightly.
"Bro, stop staring. They already left."
"Harper... do you think I really don’t have a chance anymore?"
Harper’s expression twisted. "Well... honestly, at the mont, it does look like you have no chan—"
She didn’t even get to finish before she felt her brother release enough cold air to freeze a room.
She instantly switched tone.
"—BUT! Who knows, right? Couples break up all the ti. Even married people get divorced! So if you’re willing, you can totally just... be the backup plan!"
William shot her a death glare. "You think your brother should be a backup?"
"Aren’t you basically volunteering?" she shrugged. "Honestly, you should’ve made a move earlier. I told you to go after her and you didn’t. Now she’s gone and you suddenly care again."
She sighed dramatically. "But hey, there are plenty of great won in the world. Don’t lock yourself up. Tell you what—send a cash gift and I’ll introduce you to soone."
William’s jaw tightened. "Are you eating or not? If not, leave."
"Eating! I’m absolutely eating."
Harper fell quiet.
anwhile, outside, the tension between Sophia and Lucas simred.
Lucas didn’t say a word, not even after they walked out of the building.
"Hello?" Sophia nudged him. "Cat got your tongue?"
Silence. He opened the car door and sat inside without looking at her.
Sophia stared at his back... then turned around and started walking away.
She barely took three steps before he grabbed her wrist.
"Where are you going?"
"You’re ignoring . Why would I force myself into your car? I have my own."
Lucas exhaled sharply. This woman could actually kill him with attitude alone.
His voice dropped, softer. "...I was wrong."
"Wait." Sophia blinked dramatically. "Am I hallucinating? Lucas Hilton admitting he’s wrong?"
"Sophia..." He sounded tortured.
She raised her chin. "I’m not your punching bag."
"I know."
"And I’m not your emotional battery either."
"I know. I was wrong."
He apologized in that quiet, low tone that could soften concrete.
"Talk," she demanded. "What’s your problem?"
"You were having dinner with William. He likes you. I don’t like seeing you with him."
Ah. Jealousy.
Sophia crossed her arms. "He’s like a big brother to . If this bothers you so much, we can separate right now."
Threat received—loud and clear.
"Okay, okay. My fault. Let’s go ho."
He practically stuffed her into the car.
"Oh, by the way," Sophia added casually, "I’m eting soone tonight."
"Am I coming?"
"Sure."
She had her suspicions—financial markets had suddenly shifted, a silent predator cutting through like a shark.
If she had to bet, she’d bet on Ryan.
Later that night — at a bar.
Ryan looked up the mont they entered, pausing for a second.
"You’re here."
Sophia slid into the seat, eyes sharp with amusent.
"When did you get back?"
"A few days ago. Right after the Wright family showed up."
Sophia crossed her legs, voice casual but her gaze decisive.
"And how’s the Wright family situation going?"
Ryan nodded. "Everything’s moving according to plan."
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