Chapter 153 Sophie’s Thoughts
Arthur watched as Aria held Jasper, the little one leaning against her, already drowsy. He suppressed the reluctance in his heart and said softly, "Let me drive you home. The roads are slippery at night, it's not safe."
"No need, Lance will take us. Mr. Grant, please show some restraint."
Aria refused without a second thought, holding Jasper as she headed for the door.
But Arthur blocked her path, his gaze firm, his voice carrying a hint of pleading, "Aria, just this once, let me take you. I just want to see you get home safely."
His gaze was too intense, filled with deep regret and hope. Aria looked at him, her brows furrowing tightly.
"Arthur, that's enough. Aria already said no, don't push your luck."
Lance stepped forward, naturally taking the bag from Aria's hand and reaching out to protect her and the child, his tone clearly protective, "Aria, let's go. Don't let irrelevant people waste our time."
The three quickly got in the car, which smoothly pulled away from the flower shop entrance.
Arthur stood frozen in place, his fingertips clenched tight, knuckles white, a thick bitterness rising in his throat, blocking any sound from coming out.
Without hesitation, he strode quickly to his own car, pulled open the door, and started the engine.
The car quietly pulled out, keeping a moderate distance as it followed Lance's car.
Silent all the way, following all the way.
Inside the car, Lance caught sight of the car behind them through the rearview mirror. He turned slightly toward Aria, his tone deliberately raised a bit, saying softly, "Aria, Arthur is... like a ghost that won't go away. He's following us the whole way—does he want to find out where you live?"
His voice wasn't loud, but it landed precisely in Aria's ears.
Aria held Jasper in her arms, the car's smooth motion making the child sleep even more soundly.
Hearing this, she didn't even lift her eyelids, her fingertips gently stroking her son's warm back, her expression so calm it didn't ripple at all.
Regarding Lance's question, she simply curved her lips slightly, her tone revealing neither joy nor anger, yet carrying a kind of resolute calm, "Let him follow then."
She paused, her gaze turning to the rapidly retreating street scene outside the window, her cool voice echoing in the enclosed car, "It's only a matter of time before he finds out where we live anyway."
She had thought about this situation when she decided to return to the country to develop her career. Arthur's current behavior was somewhat within her expectations.
"I haven't done anything wrong, there's no need to keep hiding."
A few words, spoken lightly.
It was as if she had suddenly shed a heavy suit of armor. Since she couldn't avoid it, she might as well stand here openly and honestly.
Hearing this, Lance felt a slight shock in his heart, followed by a surge of sympathy. He knew how difficult these past five years had been for Aria.
Hearing her say these words now, he felt she was forcing herself to face it head-on just to stop running away.
The car slowly came to a stop downstairs from the apartment building.
Arthur's car also stopped by the roadside outside the complex.
Through the windshield, he watched Lance carefully help Aria out of the car, watched Aria adjust her position to hold Jasper securely as she walked toward the building entrance.
Throughout the entire process, Aria didn't glance in his direction once.
As if his car following behind was just an ordinary part of the roadside scenery, insignificant.
Arthur stood in place, feeling cold all over.
He had thought Aria would be angry, would drive him away, but her current calm was more painful than any accusation.
It was a kind of indifference that came from being completely dead to him inside.
The lights upstairs came on, and through the window, he could vaguely see Aria's gentle silhouette as she placed Jasper on the bed.
Arthur stood downstairs for a long time, until the hallway lights went out, until the light from that window became a warm glow, before he slowly turned around, pulled open the car door, and sat in the driver's seat.
The car started, quietly pulling away from the complex.
Inside the car was dead silence, with only the occasional faint sound from the air conditioning vents.
Arthur gripped the steering wheel, his fingertips slightly white from the pressure.
He thought his following was a kind of compensation, a kind of protection, but in Aria's eyes, it was perhaps just harassment, or even an offense.
He knew the road ahead was long.
As long as they remained in this city, as long as he still had a chance, he would spend the rest of his life making amends, repaying his debts.
Late at night at the Grant family villa.
In the huge living room, only a warm yellow wall lamp remained on. Sophie, wearing a silk robe, lounged lazily on the sofa.
Just then, her private phone suddenly vibrated, the screen showing an unmarked number.
Sophie's eyes darkened slightly. She got up and walked upstairs before pressing the answer button, her voice extremely low, "Speak."
"Miss Smith, we found out. The person you mentioned went to a floral design studio to order flowers. The owner of that studio is the person you asked me to investigate before—her name is Aria."
Sophie's fingers gripping the phone suddenly tightened, her fingertips turning white.
Aria? She actually came back?
Sophie hadn't expected Aria to dare come back, and so brazenly at that, even opening a floral design studio? What was she trying to do?
And the butler went there to order flowers? So Arthur already knew about this too? That's why he had the butler order flowers?
No wonder the butler seemed hesitant to speak that day—so this was what it was about!
"She opened a floral design studio? Where? When did she open it? Has Arthur been there?"
A string of questions made the person on the other end pause for a moment before continuing.
"Her floral design studio is in the downtown area. It opened a few days ago, just recently.
Mr. Grant personally went to the shop today. Not only did he help move flower materials, but he also kept a very low profile the whole time, humble and pleading..."
Word by word, like needles densely piercing Sophie's heart.
She stood frozen in place, her chest heaving violently, jealousy and hatred almost breaking through her rationality.
That bitch Aria—as soon as she came back, she had Arthur lowering himself, humbly trying to please her. That was something Sophie didn't even dare to dream of now.
Sophie took a deep breath, suppressing the violent anger in her eyes, her voice cold as ice, "Got it. Keep watching. Report any developments immediately."
After hanging up, she leaned against the cold glass, looking out at the pitch-black night, a sinister smile curving her lips.
So Aria dares to come back now?
Since Aria dared to provoke her like this, she would make Aria regret it!
She had more important things to do now and didn't have much energy to deal with Aria.
Although she didn't have time, someone else did...
Sophie picked up her phone again and composed a very cryptic message. After confirming there were no issues with the message, she smiled coldly and pressed send.