Chapter 198 Emily's Birthday Guest List
As the car turned the corner, Emily pressed her little hands against the window, gazing at William standing at the courthouse entrance in the distance.
William looked so sad.
Thinking she was about to stick her head out again, William's eyes deepened. He raised his hand and pointed inside the car, signaling her to stay safe.
Emily obediently waved at him and blew him a kiss, "Mr. Smith, bye-bye."
The corners of William's mouth lifted slightly.
Watching Sophia's car drive away, William also got in his car to head to the office.
Only Philip was left standing alone at the entrance, looking completely stunned.
He had pleaded and cajoled to finally get William to come, hoping his friend with divorce experience would give him some advice. And what happened?
Not only did William not help him, but he actually helped Sophia's kid buy flowers and coffee to cheer up Lyra!
The more Philip thought about it, the more frustrated he felt.
But then he thought again - there was still a month-long "divorce cooling-off period" anyway.
Lyra was just being childish. Maybe in a couple of days, she'd cool down and come to him first to make up. Besides, she only cared so much about Cheryl's existence because she loved him too much, right?
Thinking this, Philip's mood instantly improved.
Meanwhile.
Sophia had just pulled Emily's little hand back inside when Emily shyly nestled into her arms.
Emily blinked her big eyes, looking at Lyra, who was drinking coffee beside them, and said in a sweet voice, "Lyra, you're so pretty."
To maintain her figure, Lyra hadn't touched sweets or coffee in years. Today she took a sip and found it really delicious, especially since Emily had bought it for her.
Emily began seriously introducing handsome guys to Lyra:
"Uncle Lucas, super handsome."
"Mr. Watson, good-looking."
"Francis, rich."
Emily counted on her fingers very seriously, listing over a dozen good-looking and excellent men in one breath.
When her ten fingers weren't enough, she grabbed Sophia's fingers to help. Finally, she didn't forget to say she'd introduce all these people to Lyra, because Lyra was the most beautiful godmother in the whole world.
Lyra was overjoyed by Emily's sweet words.
Watching this scene, Sophia affectionately pinched Emily's cheeks. Emily's face was chubby and soft to the touch.
"Sophia, why are you pinching Emily?"
Lyra said protectively, "Emily, come to me, I'll hold you."
When it came to comforting people, Sophia had never seen anyone better than Emily. Emily had understood the emotions of people around her since she was little, with a talent beyond ordinary people, always able to make others soften involuntarily.
"Baby, did you pick all these flowers?" Lyra asked.
Emily nodded her little head repeatedly, pointing at the bouquet for Lyra and saying, "The flowers are pretty, Lyra, you're prettier."
She rubbed her cheek against Lyra's face, acting cute, "I like you sooo much."
Sophia rested her chin on her hand, watching the two interact. She'd been worried these past days that Lyra was forcing a smile, but now it seemed Lyra was much stronger than she'd imagined.
Before long, Emily started getting sleepy.
She reached out to Sophia, getting a bit drowsy.
Sophia took Emily from Lyra's arms, pulled out Emily's favorite pink fox blanket from her bag, wrapped Emily up, gently patted her back, and hummed a lullaby.
Watching Emily fall asleep in her arms, Sophia turned to look at Lyra and noticed her gaze seemed distant.
She slowly said, "Divorce isn't scary, is it?"
Lyra paused, understanding the meaning in her eyes.
Compared to Sophia's tragic past - her family going bankrupt when she was young, carrying huge debts as an adult, and a secret five-year marriage that ended miserably - she was the daughter of the Cole family, who woke up right after getting married, with beauty, money, and a career.
Plus, she had friends who would always support her, and an adorable goddaughter. Her situation was already so much better than Sophia's had been back then.
Sophia used her own current situation as a reference for Lyra - divorce was never something to be afraid of.
"Not scary, I'll definitely get better!" Lyra smiled and held Sophia's outstretched hand, the light in her eyes growing brighter.
The day after signing the divorce agreement.
Sophia helped Lyra contact Elodie abroad. When Elodie learned about Lyra's marriage experience, she was also angry, saying she very much welcomed her to develop abroad, and recommended her own agent.
Lyra's contract with her original company was also about to expire. Sophia suggested that the domestic entertainment circle was too closed off, with the same actors appearing on movie screens over and over.
"Lyra, instead of being restricted by the Banks family domestically, why not try your luck abroad? While you're still young, it's good to transition early."
What neither Sophia nor Lyra expected was how ruthless Philip would be.
He not only spent money to transfer the movie role that originally belonged to Lyra to Cheryl, but also took away her endorsement contracts that were about to expire.
When Philip learned that Lyra wasn't planning to renew her contract and was preparing to go abroad, he finally started to panic. He went directly to the Cole Mansion, but unfortunately, Lyra had already boarded a flight to Seraphim.
Sitting next to Lyra was Lucas, who needed to return to the lab.
Sophia had a large estate in Seraphim. Since she was in the country year-round, she had Lucas take Lyra there to get settled.
Whether it was the scenery or security there, it was world-class. After all, ZN Laboratory was a thorn in many people's sides - for those enemies hiding in the shadows, if they couldn't have it, destroying it was the safest option.
As soon as Lucas left, Sophia had more time to spend with Emily.
Emily's birthday was coming up soon, too. Sophia needed to think carefully about whether to hold her second birthday party domestically or abroad.
Although Emily was only a little over one year old, Sophia had always respected her opinions.
She asked with a smile, "Emily, what gift do you want for your birthday?"
Hearing Sophia's words, Emily looked up from her game of changing her doll's clothes and tilted her head.
Birthday? Like James and Michael's birthdays?
She looked at Sophia with confusion, "Am I going to grow up?"
Sophia, sitting cross-legged beside Emily, pulled her into her arms and nodded gently, "Yes, Emily, you're about to turn two. Is there any gift you want? I'll give it to you."
Emily answered without hesitation, "I want James and Michael!"
Emily was very attached to James and Michael - Sophia had always known this. She attributed it to the natural affection in their blood relationship.
"Emily, of course, James and Michael will come to your birthday."
Speaking of this, Sophia took the opportunity to ask Emily if there were any friends she wanted to invite. Emily had many playmates at the lab abroad, too.
Emily had inherited William's photographic memory and remembered everyone around her very clearly.
Besides the must-invites like Lucas, Joe, and Elodie's family, she practically named all the adults at the lab and their children.
What surprised Sophia most was that she even planned to invite Juan, the little boy she had beaten up.
Sophia didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She pinched Emily's nose and teased, "Emily, you really do... love making friends."
Emily suddenly remembered that when she attended Holden's birthday party before, Sophia had needed a card to get in.
So, for her birthday, did she need to prepare those kinds of cards too?
But Sophia had been so busy lately - who should she find to help prepare them?
Emily had a flash of inspiration: 'Ah! I've got it!'