Chapter 48

Chapter 48


Sophie remained silent, though a faint discomfort stirred within her.

As Matthew walked away, he glanced back at Sophie and Raymond. This isn't over, he thought darkly.

Once Matthew had left, Raymond turned to face Sophie, his expression sour. "Ms. Rivera certainly has a charitable heart—adopting cats, adopting dogs. Can you even keep up with it all?"

His tone carried an unmistakable edge of jealousy.

Sophie studied him, puzzled. Why was Raymond acting this way toward her? What was he implying?

Though confused, she kept her expression neutral and replied with a smile, "If Mr. Garcia also enjoys animals, I'd be happy to help you find a few pets. You could experience the joy of caring for small creatures yourself."

The kitten from that day had been returned to the pet shop, where the owner had found it a reliable new home. Just a few days ago, the shop owner had sent her photos—the kitten looked adorable and had been fattened up by its new family.

Raymond's face remained stern. "No need. I don't like animals."

Sophie smiled. "Alright then. Perhaps you could tell me what you do like, and I'll buy it for you as thanks for saving me today."

Regardless of everything else, Raymond had rescued her. She owed him her gratitude.

Raymond's gaze lowered to meet hers. "What I like? Anything?"

Sophie looked at him. "Yes, anything. Though if it's too expensive, I might have to think twice. Don't be too greedy, Mr. Garcia."

Raymond took several steps forward, closing the distance between them. His eyes burned with barely restrained emotion. His feet came to rest against hers, leaving almost no space between their bodies.

He looked down at her. "I like—"

"Sophie! Raymond! What are you two doing here?"

The sudden voice from behind shattered the moment. An unwelcome figure appeared before them.

Both turned simultaneously toward the interruption.

Sophie's brows furrowed as she asked first, "You two know each other?"

Raymond said nothing.

Henry scratched his head nervously. "I owed a huge debt a while back. Got chased for days. Some guys cornered me in an alley, and Raymond saved me. If it wasn't for him, I'd have lost both hands."

As Henry spoke, he noticed Sophie's expression darkening, and his voice grew progressively quieter.

Sophie took a deep breath. If they weren't in public, she would have twisted this brat's head clean off.

"Mr. Garcia, thank you for saving Henry. About the money Henry owes you—"

"Sophie... Sophie..." Henry interrupted, tugging at her sleeve. "Sophie... Raymond..."

Henry pulled her aside, whispering urgently, "I don't owe Raymond money. He made one phone call and those guys left. He tore up my debt papers, paid off my gambling debts. Mr. Garcia didn't want repayment, but he made me a deal."

Sophie looked at Henry, barely controlling her temper. "What deal?"

Henry's voice dropped even lower. "Raymond wants me to take him in three days from now."

Sophie's brows knitted together. "Take him in three days from now? What's wrong with him?"

Henry rubbed his nose. "Raymond got kicked out by his family. He's staying at a hotel right now, handling some business. In three days, he'll come home with me."

"He wants me to... no, he wants us to let him stay for a while. Free room and board."

Sophie couldn't help herself—she grabbed Henry's ear and twisted. "Henry! Have you lost your mind?!"

Let Raymond move into their house in three days? Live with them, eat with them?

What kind of nonsense was this?

Henry clutched his ear. "Ow, ow, ow! Sophie, ease up!"

Seeing Henry's ear turn bright red, Sophie released him, her expression deadly serious. "Absolutely not. He's not coming to our house!"

Having an unfamiliar man living in their home—what would that look like?

The CEO of the Garcia Group, the head of the Garcia family, kicked out by his relatives with nowhere to go?

Who would believe such a ridiculous story?

"Go wait in the car," Sophie ordered, giving Henry a kick.

She turned back to Raymond, her eyes serious and formal. "Mr. Garcia, thank you for helping Henry. I'll tally up everything Henry owes and pay you back."

Watching Sophie distance herself so deliberately, Raymond smiled. "What's this? I just saved you, and now you're treating me like a stranger? Seems you're a heartless little brat."

He emphasized the words "little brat" heavily, sounding almost like an abandoned boyfriend.

"Mr. Garcia, please don't joke around."

"I'm not joking. Ever since you rejected me at that hotel, I've been a pitiful abandoned soul. Now Ms. Rivera wants to keep things strictly business. Apparently, I'm worth less to you than a complete stranger."

His words dripped with suggestive undertones, his tone no longer rigid but carrying a hint of playful reproach.

Sophie froze slightly, looking up at Raymond. Here was this upright, proper man saying such inappropriate things—and making them sound so enticing.

Her cheeks flushed. She masked her reaction with a smile. "Mr. Garcia is quite humorous. Thank you for saving me, and for helping Henry. I will repay what's owed. But beyond that, I'd like to invite you to dinner—to thank you for rescuing me and on Henry's behalf as well."

Sophie deliberately made no mention of Raymond moving into their home.

Raymond didn't press the issue either.

"Sounds good. When are you free?"

"I'm available anytime." Sophie felt a wave of relief. As long as Raymond agreed to dinner, he wouldn't need to move in.

"How about two days from now?"

"Perfect."

Sophie agreed readily.

"Two days from now, seven PM. Your place."

With that, Raymond turned and walked away.

Sophie stood frozen as his words sank in.

Wait—what? Two days from now, seven PM... at my house?