“Do you know how worried I was when I couldn't get in touch with you? Sophie, to be honest, I'm really angry now.”
After struggling to sit up in bed, Sophie gave him a gentle hug.
“I know what I did this time was wrong, and I apologize for it. I'll not repeat my mistake going forward.”
“No, you didn't do anything wrong.” Her actions were understandable, considering how much she cares about the members of The Wheelers.
When he hugged her tightly, she felt a sense of being grounded.
“Your presence brings me peace.”
She had never felt that way all this while. Ever since she arrived in Horington, she had gone about her life independently.
Regardless of what happened, she would carry the burden herself and face all dangers alone.
But now, she finally had someone to share her burden with her.
“All right. Let's not talk too much, as your body still hasn't fully recovered. Just clear your mind and recuperate at home for the next few days.” I will deal with everything else.
“Mr. Tristan, what happened to Quinton?” She believed that Mark was not involved at all.
Knowing Mark like the back of her palm, she was certain he wasn't capable of such an act.
“I'm already worried sick by what happened to you, yet you still have the bandwidth to be concerned about someone else? The old fogey is doing well, but I guarantee I will not let him off the hook.”
Tristan was never one to forgive and forget. Furthermore, Quinton had crossed his threshold this time.
“Why? Are you going to plead for mercy on his behalf?”
Sophie shook her head.
“After what he has done to me, I wouldn't let him go too. Having said that, he's still Mark's father. It's necessary for him to be taught a lesson, but we must consider Mark's feelings.”
“So?” What is she trying to say? How does she want to deal with this?
“Tomorrow. I'll meet with him tomorrow.” Perhaps there's a chance to remedy the situation.
Rendered speechless, Tristan was annoyed.
So what if he's Mark's father? There's no way I'm going to let the matter slide.
Sophie gave his lips a peck.
“I know you care a lot about me, but I really want to resolve this matter by myself. Can you not get involved, please?”
If he were to take action, Quinton would be done for.
“You...”
Faced with her request, Tristan was bereft of words.
Nevertheless, he could never say no to the woman who was everything to him.
“I'm sorry, Tristan. I promise to me more careful next time.”
I'm sure he must have been frightened to the core.
“I really want to be by your side twenty-four hours a day. This wouldn't have happened if that were the case.”
He couldn't let her out of his sight for a single minute.
Naturally, his words brought a smile to her face.
“Tristan, I'm thirsty. Can you get me a glass of water?”
Tristan poured one for her without a moment's delay.
Meanwhile, Ysabelle's album was extremely well-received.
Although it still paled in comparison to The Wheelers, she was off to a good start with a growing legion of fans.
After a busy day at work, she finally learned of what happened to Sophie at night.
Without a moment's delay, she rushed to Wisteria Apartments.
The sight of Sophie lying in bed caused her to break out in tears.
“What's wrong with you?” Sophie was taken aback.
Why is she raining tears the moment she came in?
“Did someone bully you? Tell me who it is. I'll seek revenge for you!” Sophie even thought that someone had hurt Ysabelle.
However, her words ended up making the latter cry harder.
“Someone really did bully you! Who was it?”
Why is she sobbing so pitifully?
“Sophie, how can you still be concerned about me in your current condition? Who has the gall to try and harm you? I'm going to kill them this very instant!”
This is all my fault. If I had gone to have lunch with her, this wouldn't have happened.
“Sophie, this is on me. I shouldn't have allowed you to go alone in the afternoon.”
What am I going to do if something happens to Sophie? I'll definitely be consumed by guilt for the rest of my life.
It turns out that she thinks it's her fault.
At the thought of that, Sophie let out a sigh of relief.
“I'm fine, Ysabelle.”
“How can you call yourself fine looking like that? Quinton is an a*shole. We must teach him a lesson!”
Even though he's Mark's father, harming Sophie is still something unforgivable.
“All right. Stop crying now. If you continue, my place will be flooded by your tears.”
By then, Sophie barely had any energy left to speak, but she was moved by the concern shown to her by so many.
All this while, she had learned to face life with a certain tenacity and was used to doing so alone.
Hence, her heart was warmed by those who cared for her.
Thereafter, Ysabelle gave her a hug.
“Sophie, don't ever do this again. Whatever it is, tell me about it, and I'll go together with you.”
I might not be a fighter, but I'll still do my very best to protect her.
“Okay. I got it. No matter what, I'll take you together with me, so stop crying now, will you?”
“Mmm-hmm.” Ysabelle sniffled.
Felix, who had come along with Ysabelle, felt sorry to see Sophie in her state.
“Mr. Tristan, I agree with you that we shouldn't let Quinton go free.”
Sophie is one of ours. An attack on her is an attack on all of us. If we don't teach him a lesson, everyone will think that we are pushovers.
“Don't get involved in this.” Since Sophie intended to deal with it herself, he had no choice but to agree. After all, he could never bring himself to deny her wishes.
“Sophie, will you show him mercy on Mark's account?” Ysabelle was cognizant of how much she cared about the members of The Wheelers, particularly Mark and Sunny.
“Enough with the questions. You should spend more time dating Felix instead of sticking your nose into this.”
Tristan simply wanted them to leave so that Sophie could finally get some rest.
“Uncle Tristan, what's that supposed to mean? Felix and I aren't a couple.”
Despite her knowledge of his feelings for her, she still hadn't come to a decision about whether to get into a relationship.
“Ysabelle, what are you saying? Do you intend on abandoning me? How can you mess with me by dumping me after leading me on?”
Ysabelle was rendered speechless.
What's going on? How did this end up about me leading him on?
“Enough talk. Both of you can scram now.” Sophie needs rest, and yet, these two are babbling needlessly here.
“No, I want to stay by Sophie's side. Sophie, I want to be here with you!”
“Stop calling her Sophie. You should be addressing her as Aunt Sophie, all right?” Tristan blurted.
His words dumbfounded Ysabelle.
What? Call her Aunt Sophie?
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