Chapter 142 Don't Want to Raise a Second Son Anymore

Chapter 142 Don't Want to Raise a Second Son Anymore

[Sophie, I'm heading back home. Can we meet one more time?]

The message popped up on her phone out of nowhere.

Her assistant caught a glimpse of it and immediately dropped her gaze, adopting a see-no-evil expression. "Lady Sophie, if there's nothing else, I'll head out now."

Sophie picked up her phone and waved her off casually.

The assistant clutched her files and slipped out the door. The moment she got back to her desk, she pulled her coworker close to gossip.

"I'm telling you, that guy who's been chasing Sophie just messaged her again. Says he's going back home."

Her coworker clicked her tongue twice and laughed. "Talk about devoted. Four years of pursuing her—guess he's finally giving up?"

The assistant shook her head. "I think he wants one last shot before he leaves..."

The man who'd just stepped out of the elevator caught their hushed conversation. His brow furrowed slightly.

Still hasn't given up, huh.

The office door suddenly swung open, and the two gossipers immediately fell silent.

Sophie slung her bag over her shoulder and turned to her assistant. "I need to step out for a bit. Call me if anything comes up."

The assistant stood up quickly. "Got it, Lady Sophie."

Sophie looked up and spotted Matthew standing in the doorway.

She paused for a beat, then walked over. "What brings you here?"

Matthew lifted the thermal lunch container in his hand. "Brought you lunch."

The assistant and her coworker both startled when they saw Matthew, wondering how long he'd been standing there—and whether he'd overheard their gossip.

Sophie glanced at her watch. "I need to go handle something downstairs. Want to wait in my office?"

Matthew nodded with a smile, not pressing for details.

"I'll be right back." With that, Sophie stepped into the elevator.

After watching her leave, Matthew turned his gaze toward the assistant, his expression cool and detached.

Both women tensed immediately, heads bowed as they murmured, "...Mr. Howard."

Matthew gave a faint nod. Gone was the warmth he'd shown Sophie; his blue eyes revealed nothing of what he was thinking.

"From now on, don't gossip about your boss in the office. It's bad for the company."

They both nodded quickly. "Understood. We won't do it again."

Only after Matthew disappeared into the office did they let out a long breath, exchanging glances with expressions of narrow escape.

Sophie went down to the café on the ground floor. The moment she walked in, she spotted the boy sitting in the most inconspicuous corner—yet somehow still impossible to miss.

He had dyed red hair, fair skin, and delicate features. Everything about him radiated youthful energy.

Every time she saw him, Sophie couldn't help thinking how old she'd gotten.

"Welcome! What can I get you?" A barista approached.

Hearing the voice, the boy looked up. When his eyes landed on Sophie, his face lit up with a bright smile. He stood eagerly and waved at her. "Sophie! Over here!"

Sophie gave the barista a polite nod before taking the seat across from him.

"Sophie, I ordered your favorite—iced Americano."

The boy stood up enthusiastically and pushed the coffee toward her.

Sophie thanked him, took a sip, then got straight to the point. "You're going back home?"

He nodded. "Finished my degree. Family's been pushing hard, and I couldn't hold out anymore. So yeah, I'm going back."

Then he propped his chin on his hand and gazed at her. "Will you miss me?"

Sophie reached out and pushed his head away, her expression flat. "Going back's a good thing. It's not like you have anything keeping you here anyway."

He pouted. "My older brother's got the family business covered. Doesn't really matter where I am."

Then he gave her a playful wink. "But if you want me to stay, I can make it happen. I'll just tell them I've got someone I like and I'm settling down here. They definitely won't say no to that."

Sophie looked at him with amusement. "You sure about that? I'm seven years older than you, and I have a kid."

With her background, even an ordinary family might hesitate—let alone the Heustons' youngest son.

Finn Heuston wrinkled his nose. "My brother's got my back. If they really won't agree, then I'll just elope with you. Besides, you can afford to keep me anyway."

Sophie was speechless at his shameless suggestion of being a kept man.

She set down her coffee and looked him straight in the eye. "I'm already raising one son. I don't need a second one."

One Silas is enough of a headache. Add Finn to the mix, and I'd spend every day cleaning up after the two of them.

Finn wasn't surprised by the rejection. But this time, instead of laughing it off like usual, he looked at her seriously. "Sophie, I'm going back for an arranged marriage. This might really be the last time I can come see you."

Sophie noticed the unusual sadness in his eyes. It felt strange.

She was used to Finn's carefree, playful demeanor. This was the first time she'd ever seen him look so melancholy.

After a moment's thought, she said, "If you don't like it, you can refuse."

Finn lowered his gaze and let out a soft laugh. "This might be the only way I'm useful to my family. If I refuse this too, my mom really might disown me."

Sophie found herself at a loss for words.

Just as she was searching for something comforting to say, Finn suddenly looked up with a grin and winked at her. "Of course, if you're willing to run away with me, I wouldn't have to go back and deal with the arranged marriage."

For a split second, Sophie thought she'd been played.

There wasn't a trace of sadness on his face now—if anything, he looked like he was trying to coax her.

The arranged marriage he'd mentioned was probably fake too. After all, this wasn't the first time he'd joked about something like this.

She crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair. "Well then, safe travels."

Finn pouted, looking wounded. "You really don't give an inch, do you? Just thinking about not seeing you and Silas anymore makes my heart hurt a little."

Sophie watched his performance without responding.

She'd learned her lesson. He mixed truth and lies so seamlessly that one wrong word and she'd fall right into his trap.

Seeing her silence, Finn blinked at her. "I was hoping to trick you into showing some concern, but you're too cold-hearted. Oh well, doesn't matter. I'll wait for you back home."

Sophie's brow furrowed. "I have no plans to go back."

Finn gave her a mysterious smile. "You'll find out soon enough."

Something about that smile made Sophie uneasy.

But when she pressed him, Finn wouldn't say another word.

Since she couldn't get anything out of him, Sophie didn't waste any more time. "I probably won't be able to see you off when you leave."

Finn nodded, feeling a bit down. "I figured. Matthew's here, so of course you'll be with him."

"Your intel's pretty good. Matthew just landed and you already know about it."

Finn rubbed his nose. He couldn't exactly tell her he'd received Matthew's 'friendly greeting' just ten minutes ago.

Matthew was ridiculously petty. Finn was going back for an arranged marriage, and the guy still wouldn't let him have a proper goodbye with Sophie.

Not that he'd be able to compete anymore anyway.