Chapter 59 Truth or Lies<

"Raymond, have you forgotten who threw Nicholas off the Balcony, nearly costing him his life?" Freya immediately called out as she picked herself up. Sophia is about to leave with Nicholas, and Raymond is standing silently with his dark eyes deep and enigmatic, not saying a word.

—Who threw Nicholas off the Balcony?

Sophia's footsteps halted when she was about to reach the door, as an indescribable feeling surged in her heart.

What exactly happened that morning when Nicholas was thrown from the Balcony, and who did it?

She hadn't cared about it before, but now, it suddenly pricked at her conscience like a thorn.

However, a thought crossed her mind—Nicholas's resistance yet dependence on Freya. Could it all be an act orchestrated by Raymond and Freya?

The purpose is to manipulate her into developing feelings for Nicholas and then agree to donate her bone marrow to save him.

If that were the case, would she not be the biggest fool?

Glancing at Nicholas, who was still clinging tightly around her neck, his little face buried in the crook of her neck, Sophia contemplated setting him down and walking away, indifferent.

But just as she was about to decide, her feet moved forward with more determination than before.

Regardless of the adults' deceit and manipulation, Nicholas was innocent, and she chose to trust him.

"Raymond!"

Freya's voice panicked as she saw Sophia leaving with Nicholas while Raymond stood silent and unreadable, his emotions a mystery. Tears streamed down her cheeks.

Raymond's dark eyes brooded as he watched her, the corners of his lips curling ambiguously. He then moved forward, helping her stand with one hand. "If you're so concerned about Nicholas, you can go and watch him in the garden."

Freya, now standing, slumped into Raymond's embrace like a boneless doll.

At his words, however, she stiffened in surprise.

She hadn't expected Raymond to say that. Was he truly oblivious to her anger, or was it just an act?

Now, his apparent lack of concern for Sophia—was it real or not?

"Really? I can stay and watch over Nicholas?" A moment's daze was quickly replaced by joy on Freya's face.

Raymond, without betraying any emotion, gently pushed her away and instructed the staff beside him, "Take Freya to the garden."

"Yes, Raymond." Henry immediately stepped forward and said to Freya, "Freya, please come this way."

"Raymond, and you?" Freya asked coquettishly, gazing at Raymond.

"Me?" A thin layer of frost seemed to cloud his eyes behind his glasses, but it was hardly noticeable. "I have some business matters to attend to upstairs."

With that, he released Freya and turned to go upstairs.

...

The Golden Palms' garden was in full bloom with a variety of flowers, especially during this peak mid-autumn season.

Sophia took Nicholas to pick flowers, but the little guy was captivated by something in the flower bed, squatting down and staring intently.

Sophia gathered a bunch of colorful flowers and noticed the little guy so engrossed in observing insects nearby. She crouched down beside him.

It was a group of ants attacking a dragonfly with a broken wing.

"Mommy, the dragonfly looks so pitiful!" Nicholas glanced at Sophia, furrowing his brows with concern.

Sophia reached out to gently stroke the top of Nicholas's head. "Actually, it's okay. When you grow up, you'll understand that human society is far more cruel than the animal kingdom."

Nicholas seemed to grasp the meaning, yet also not, and turned to her with a thoughtful look. "Mommy, can I help the dragonfly?"

Watching Nicholas calling her "Mommy" so naturally made Sophia almost believe he was indeed her own Nicholas.

"The dragonfly's wings are broken; it won't survive."

"Is the dragonfly going to die?" Nicholas asked, his bright, sorrowful eyes shining.

"Yes." Sophia nodded, knowing that this truth might be harsh for a three-year-old Nicholas, but it was better than deceiving him.

"What happens when it dies?" he pressed on.

"The ants will eat it."

"Can I take the dragonfly back home?" Nicholas asked, reaching out his small hand, intending to assist the struggling insect.

"Nicholas!"

Suddenly, a panicked scream echoed from not too far away.

Sophia looked up to see Freya charging toward her like a madwoman. Before Sophia could even stand up, Freya forcefully shoved her to the ground.

Caught off guard, Sophia fell back on the grass.

"Sophia!" a staff member standing nearby exclaimed, rushing over to help her up.

"Sophia, what were you thinking? Do you know how fragile Nicholas's health is? And you let him touch these dirty things?" Having pushed Sophia over, Freya quickly scooped up Nicholas and then glared at Sophia with fury.

Fortunately, they were on the grass, and aside from dirtying her clothes, Sophia wasn't harmed.

"Sophia, are you okay?" the staff member asked, helping her up with concern.

"Mommy..." Held tightly by Freya, Nicholas's round eyes were pleading as he looked toward Sophia.

"Nicholas, sweetheart, don't be scared. Mommy's taking you to see him." Freya held Nicholas tight, freed one hand to turn his face towards her, pressing it into her embrace, and swiftly turned to leave.

Sophia stood still, watching Nicholas be carried away, and ultimately, she couldn't help but smile.

Could it be that she was shooting herself in the foot?

...