Chapter 59

Every single message in that group chat made Sophie feel utterly disgusted.

Harper clung to her, sobbing brokenly.

Henry stared coldly at the messages scrolling across the screen. Usually indifferent to other people's problems, he made an immediate decision. "Harper, give me one day. I'm going to hunt down every single one of these bastards."

Sophie had to admit her usually lazy brother actually had his uses.

She reached out and tapped Henry on the head. "Let's see what you can do."

Henry turned around and held out his hand to Sophie. "Payment for services rendered."

"Get lost!"

Henry immediately behaved himself. He turned back to his keyboard, fingers flying across the keys.

As his hands danced over the keyboard, dense lines of code began cascading across the screen.

Harper was still crying.

Sophie rubbed Harper's head gently. "Stop crying. I'll have Henry handle this for you."

Henry kept his eyes glued to the screen. "Harper, stop crying. I'm not just going to get revenge for you—I'm going to get your money back too."

Hearing this, Harper turned to look at Henry.

From her angle, she could only see the back of his head, but somehow Harper felt as though he was radiating layers of brilliant white light.

Dazzling. Captivating.

Harper wanted to thank Henry, but for some reason, she quickly turned her face away. "Thank you, Sophie."

Sophie reached out and pinched Harper's smooth cheek. "Don't mention it."

Perhaps it was just chemistry, but Sophie found Harper adorable. She couldn't help wanting to pinch those soft cheeks.

Henry continued working away at his computer.

Results wouldn't come quickly, so Sophie took Harper upstairs and showed her to a guest room.

But Harper insisted on staying with her, wanting to sleep in Sophie's room.

Unable to resist Harper's repeated pleading, Sophie agreed.

The two took turns showering. They'd just changed into comfortable pajamas when Sophie's phone buzzed.

She set down her hairdryer and picked up her phone.

It was a Facebook message from Raymond.

[I'm here to pick up Harper.]

It was already ten-thirty at night—rather late.

Sophie didn't want to go out, but when she glanced over at Harper lying beside her, the girl was already fast asleep.

She sighed, slipped on her white slippers, and headed outside.

Outside the villa, beneath the soft glow of the streetlamp, Raymond stood in a pool of light, his shadow stretched long and thin across the pavement.

When Sophie approached, Raymond seemed to hear footsteps behind him.

He turned around.

Before him stood a figure dressed in a pink teddy bear loungewear set, white bunny-eared slippers on her feet. The outfit was undeniably adorable.

Seeing Sophie like this, Raymond's eyes darkened. His Adam's apple bobbed.

"Mr. Garcia, Harper's already asleep. You can pick her up tomorrow."

Having said her piece, Sophie turned to go back inside.

But Raymond's first words stopped her in her tracks. "Andrew isn't a good person."

Sophie looked confused. Why was he suddenly jumping topics?

Wasn't he here to pick up Harper?

"Mr. Garcia, I don't understand what you're talking about. But as I said, Harper's already asleep. You should head home."

Raymond didn't seem to hear a word Sophie said.

He stared into her eyes. "Whatever Andrew can give you, I can give you too. Leave him."

Sophie: "..."

Was this man sick? Was he even listening to her?

"Mr. Garcia, Harper is staying here tonight—"

Suddenly, Raymond seized Sophie's wrist, pulling her along as he strode in another direction.

Raymond's abrupt action startled Sophie.

"Mr. Garcia! Let go of me! Where are you taking me?"

Sophie raised her voice.

But Raymond showed no sign of releasing her. If anything, his grip on her wrist tightened.

Her expression darkened. "Raymond, let me go!"

Just as he dragged her around a corner, Sophie's anger peaked.

"Raymond—"

The rest of her words died in her throat.

She froze, completely stunned.

Before her eyes unfolded a magnificent drone fireworks show.

Countless drones soared into the sky. As they spun and whirled through the air, fireworks bloomed in brilliant cascades.

Golden-red sparks scattered in layers. Against a backdrop of twinkling stars, the fireworks transformed into countless patterns.

It was like watching a grand aerial spectacle.

Sophie stood transfixed, unable to look away.

While Sophie gazed up at the ever-changing fireworks patterns, Raymond's eyes remained fixed on her face, never wavering.

However long she watched the sky, he watched her.

Only when Sophie finally lowered her gaze did Raymond look away.

"Is it your birthday again, Mr. Garcia?"

"It's not my birthday."

"Then... is it Ms. Garcia's birthday? Should I... wake her up?"

"It's not her birthday."

"Then... whose birthday is it?"

Sophie looked genuinely curious.

If it wasn't a birthday, why go to all this trouble?