Chapter 53

Sophie's body went rigid the moment she saw the text.

Instinctively, she glanced around. There was no one nearby. She even looked behind her.

Still nothing.

Sophie's brow furrowed slightly as she picked up her phone and read the message again.

Just as she was debating whether to reply, Andrew, who sat across from her, noticed her staring at the screen. He smiled. "Everything alright, Sophia? Urgent matter?"

Sophie gave Andrew an awkward smile and put her phone away.

"It's nothing."

She resumed eating.

What Sophie didn't notice was the figure standing at the second-floor railing.

Raymond leaned against the banister, positioned at an angle where he had a perfect view of Sophie's table below.

Harper Garcia had just emerged from the restroom when she spotted Raymond staring downstairs.

She walked over, curious. "Raymond, what are you looking at? Do you know someone down there?"

Harper followed his line of sight.

She noticed the couple dining in the first-floor hall.

Her gaze landed first on the handsome man, whose face seemed vaguely familiar. "Raymond, isn't that Andrew? Who's the woman with him?"

Her eyes shifted to Sophie. Harper assessed her. "I can't see her face clearly, but judging by her posture, she seems quite elegant. I remember Andrew rarely dines with women. That lady must be important to him."

Since returning home, Harper had felt nothing when she saw Andrew again. Watching him dine with another woman didn't trigger any irrational jealousy—though there was a faint discomfort, she could control it now.

She'd let it all go.

To her, Andrew was just a friend now. A familiar friend. It was perfectly normal for him to date other women.

Harper spoke casually, completely oblivious to how Raymond's expression had turned glacial.

Raymond's eyesight was excellent. From this distance, he could clearly see Andrew attentively cutting steak for Sophie and serving her food, their gestures appearing intimate.

His face grew even colder.

He turned to Harper.

"Harper, you haven't seen Andrew in a while since coming back. Want to go down and say hello?"

Harper glanced downstairs, pushing aside the uncomfortable feeling in her chest. She hesitated. "I'm not sure that's a good idea. We'd be interrupting their date."

The word "date" made the coldness in Raymond's eyes deepen.

He had his assistant bring Harper's coat and draped it over her shoulders, smiling. "It's fine. Andrew won't mind. You're starting at his hospital in a few days anyway. He'll be your colleague soon. It's only proper to say hello."

Harper considered this and agreed Raymond had a point.

Raymond didn't actually know about her feelings for Andrew. When she'd gone abroad, Raymond had believed she'd broken up with her "fake boyfriend" from online, which was why she'd spiraled and done irrational things.

Later, Raymond had nearly fallen from a rooftop trying to save her, and she'd been sent to a hospital for psychological treatment.

Before leaving the country, Raymond had used every connection to find her "fake boyfriend," but came up empty. Eventually, she'd fabricated a story that he'd died, and Raymond had finally let it go.

Over the years abroad, Raymond had frequently video-called to keep her company and talk.

He'd helped her gradually work through everything. She'd slowly healed herself.

Thinking of the past, Harper stepped forward and linked her arm through Raymond's. "You're right. Andrew and I will be colleagues soon. It's only polite to say hello. Let's go downstairs."

Harper flashed her signature smile, her small canine tooth peeking out.

Raymond didn't notice anything amiss. He led Harper downstairs.

The two walked toward the dining hall.

As they approached, Harper called out, "Andrew..."

At the sound of her voice, Andrew looked up past Sophie's shoulder.

Sophie also turned to look.

When she saw Raymond approaching, she froze for a moment.

Andrew set down his utensils but didn't stand.

"Harper, Raymond—what brings you here?"

Though he posed the question, Andrew made no move to have extra place settings added or invite them to join.

Sophie, however, stood up and looked at Raymond. "Mr. Garcia, what are you doing here?"

As she spoke, Sophie glanced at the girl called "Harper" standing beside Raymond.

The young woman wore a pink designer suit from a recent runway show, paired with a white brand-name bag adorned with butterfly crystals.

On her feet were matching white designer heels.

Her necklace and earrings were exclusive pieces by a top Italian designer.

Sophie estimated the girl's entire outfit was worth close to a hundred thousand dollars.

More expensive, even, than what Raymond was wearing.

Since arriving, Raymond's gaze had remained fixed on Sophie's face.

When she questioned him, he glanced briefly at Andrew, his expression unreadable.

But his voice carried a distinct chill. "This is a public restaurant. How is it that Ms. Rivera can dine here, but I cannot?"

The tone was... strange.

Sophie looked at Raymond, confused. What? Had she said something wrong? Why was Raymond being like this?

Had she offended him somehow?

Andrew remained seated until Raymond finished his rather pointed remark.

Only then did he rise slowly. "What a coincidence. Why don't you join us for dinner?"

"Sure."

Raymond didn't hesitate. He walked over and sat down—in Andrew's seat.

Harper stood frozen in place, completely bewildered.

She genuinely hadn't expected Raymond to accept the invitation to dine with Andrew and his companion.

And then steal Andrew's seat!

Was this really Raymond?

While Harper stood there in shock, Andrew didn't seem bothered by Raymond taking his chair.

Instead, he smiled and gallantly pulled out a seat for Harper, then called over a server to add two more place settings.

Sophie glanced at Andrew.

"You know each other?"

Now Harper sat close beside Raymond.

Sophie sat across from them both.

Andrew deliberately moved his chair closer to Sophie, sitting right next to her.

"Raymond and I grew up together. We've been friends since childhood. Harper is his sister. I think of her as my sister too."

Sophie listened, finally understanding the identity of the girl beside Raymond.

So she was Raymond's sister.