Chapter 401: Happy Ending！

Chapter 401: Happy Ending！
Adam's POV

Three years can change everything. Since Sophie took over as CEO of The Beacon Press—the newspaper I bought for her—she'd transformed it into Bay City's premier news source. Her natural leadership and integrity had turned a struggling publication into a respected institution. I couldn't have been prouder.

Now, with her twenty-fifth birthday approaching, I wanted to create something special. Something that would show her exactly what she meant to me and to everyone whose life she'd touched.

I stood in the grand ballroom of Cloud Palace Hotel, surveying the preparations that had been underway for a week. The staff bustled around, hanging crystal chandeliers and arranging exotic flowers that had been flown in from across the country.

"Mr. Foster, where would you like the ice sculpture?" a nervous young event coordinator asked, clipboard clutched to her chest.

"Center of the main refreshment table," I replied, checking my watch. "And make sure the temperature stays consistent. I don't want it melting before she arrives."

"Of course, sir."

I moved through the space, inspecting every detail. The champagne was being chilled to the perfect temperature, the catering team was preparing dishes with ingredients sourced from the finest suppliers nationwide, and the three-tiered ballroom had been transformed into a wonderland of lights and flowers.

But the guest list was what made this celebration truly special. I'd decided against the usual parade of Bay City's elite and society figures. Instead, I'd spent weeks tracking down everyone Sophie had ever known, helped, or befriended throughout her life. From her childhood in Cedar Town to her college years at Stanford, from her early career to the people she'd assisted through her charitable work—I wanted everyone who'd experienced Sophie's kindness to be there.

Back in my office, I reviewed the final list of guests. Almost everyone had confirmed their attendance. Private cars had been arranged to bring people from Cedar Town, including her former teachers and classmates. Tom and Marry Miller from Pike Market, where Sophie had worked selling fish, were coming in. Students she'd tutored, colleagues she'd mentored, even families from the village she'd helped rescue from human traffickers—all would be there.

There was just one name left on my list. One call I'd been putting off.

With a sigh, I picked up my phone and dialed.

"Hello?" The voice on the other end was cautious.

"Ethan," I said, keeping my tone cold and professional. "It's Adam."

There was a pause. "What do you want?"

"Sunday is her birthday," I said flatly. "You should come."

Another pause, longer this time. "Fine," he replied, his voice equally cold.

"Good." I hung up without waiting for his response.

Later that afternoon, I found Sophie waking from her nap, her hair tousled and eyes still heavy with sleep.

"Hey, sleepyhead," I said, sitting on the edge of the bed. "I've made reservations for your birthday on Sunday. Nothing fancy, just dinner with a few friends."

She smiled, stretching like a cat. "That sounds nice. Just what I wanted—something simple."

I nodded, fighting to keep my expression neutral. If only you knew, Sweetie.

---

On Sunday morning, the day of Sophie's twenty-fifth birthday, I woke early, careful not to disturb her. The plan was already in motion. At precisely six o'clock, her phone buzzed with a text message. I watched as she stirred, reaching groggily for her phone.

"Hmm? Jordan, Emma, and Minerva are coming over?" she mumbled, squinting at the screen. "This early?"

I kissed her forehead. "It's your birthday. They probably want to spend the day with you."

Sophie smiled sleepily. "That's sweet of them."

The girls arrived bearing gifts and coffee. I discreetly stepped out, leaving them to their chatter and laughter. My phone buzzed constantly with updates from the hotel staff, confirming arrivals of guests from across the country. Everything was proceeding according to plan.

By five o'clock that evening, Sophie had been thoroughly pampered. The girls had taken her shopping, to a spa, and finally helped her get ready in a stunning blue dress that matched her eyes perfectly. When I picked her up to drive to the hotel, she looked radiant.

"You look beautiful," I said, taking her hand as we walked to the car.

"Thank you." She smiled, smoothing down her dress. "This is nice—dinner with friends. It's exactly what I wanted for my birthday."

I squeezed her hand, hiding my smile. Just wait, Sweetie.

When we pulled up to Cloud Palace Hotel, Sophie looked surprised.

"This place? I thought we were just having a casual dinner."

"I wanted somewhere special for your birthday," I explained, leading her toward the entrance.

As we approached the grand ballroom, I felt her hand tighten in mine. The double doors swung open, and Sophie froze.

The massive space was filled with people—hundreds of them, spread across three levels. The main floor was packed, the balcony on the second floor lined with smiling faces, and even the third-floor gallery had guests peering down.

"Adam..." she whispered, her voice trailing off as her eyes widened.

I watched as recognition dawned on her face. The old school principal. Marry Miller from the fish market, waving enthusiastically. Her high school teachers and classmates. Her college roommates. The delivery guy from the campus mail room. Colleagues from her early reporting days. People she'd interviewed. Families she'd helped during disaster relief efforts. Representatives from the scholarship foundation she'd established.

They were all there. Every single person whose life had been touched by Sophie White.

"Sweetie," I said softly, "these are all the people from your past—people you've known, been kind to, helped in some way. Today, we're all here to celebrate you."

Tears welled in her eyes as she scanned the crowd, recognizing face after face. I felt a surge of satisfaction seeing her reaction, but there was one face I didn't see—Ethan's. Despite my reluctance to include him, I'd invited him for Sophie's sake. His absence was disappointing, if not entirely surprising.

Just as I was about to lead Sophie further into the room, the lights dimmed, and the massive screen at the front of the ballroom flickered to life. This wasn't part of the plan. I tensed, ready to signal security, when a familiar voice filled the room.

"Sophie," Ethan's face appeared on the screen, his white hair and pale features unmistakable even in the video feed. "Happy birthday."

Sophie's hand tightened in mine as she stared at the screen.

"Sophie," Ethan continued, "thank you for always taking care of me. I used to hate what fate had in store for me, but I'm grateful it led me to you. I won't be returning to Bay City for a while. The world is beautiful, and I want to use the limited time I have to see as much of it as I can. Today, on your twenty-fifth birthday, I send you my blessings from afar."

As his words faded, the screen showed a night sky suddenly illuminated by spectacular fireworks—a display he must have arranged wherever he was in the world.

I looked down at Sophie, whose eyes were glistening with unshed tears. I squeezed her hand, pulling her closer to me.

"I will always follow you," I whispered, the words coming from somewhere deep inside me.

She turned to me, her face luminous with unspoken emotion. Time seemed to suspend as our eyes locked. Without hesitation, I drew her close and kissed her—deeply, completely—before hundreds of witnesses. When we finally parted, breathless and smiling, the room had erupted into thunderous applause and joyful cheers, sealing our story with the sweetest possible ending.