Chapter 294: Won't Get Married
Maddox and the others were waiting to see Elizabeth regret her decision. Elizabeth naturally had no idea they were celebrating in advance.
At eight o'clock in the evening in Border Ridge City.
Mabel called Elizabeth from Avalonia, asking about Elizabeth's health.
Elizabeth tried to keep her tone light, "Mabel, everything's fine on my end. Don't worry about me. Just take care of yourself in Avalonia."
Mabel nodded and replied, "Elizabeth, don't worry, I'll take care of myself."
She glanced toward the kitchen and saw Alfonso still busy making breakfast.
It was evening in Border Ridge City, but morning in Avalonia.
Mabel lowered her voice and said helplessly, "Wherever I go, his people follow me. I can't even run away if I wanted to."
Fortunately, she had a cheerful personality and didn't get too down about it.
Elizabeth rubbed her slightly tired brow, her tone gentle, "Mabel, you're not familiar with Avalonia, so don't go wandering around. Once we finish dealing with things here, I'll find a way to bring you back."
Mabel didn't want Elizabeth to worry about her, so she said with a smile, "Elizabeth, you don't need to worry about me. I just have people following me everywhere, but I can think of them as bodyguards. Besides, he's not going to hurt me or anything."
Alfonso came out with breakfast and saw Mabel on the phone, so he didn't disturb her.
Mabel talked for a bit and then hung up.
After Mabel hung up, Alfonso called her over for breakfast.
"Mabel Darling, I have to go out for a bit, but when I get back, I'll take you to see some famous sights around here." Alfonso smiled, his eyes showing a hint of tenderness.
Mabel walked over and sat down, "You don't need to come with me. I can go by myself."
Alfonso didn't get angry when she refused. He waited for Mabel to finish breakfast, cleared the dishes, and then went upstairs to change.
When he came back downstairs, he was dressed in a suit, looking proper and polished.
Meanwhile, Mabel was still in her pajamas, slouching on the sofa looking lazy.
He walked up to Mabel, leaned down, lifted her chin with his fingers, and kissed her.
He kissed her until he was satisfied.
His thumb brushed across her red lips, and he said again, "When I get back, we'll go out together."
The car pulled up to a café.
Alfonso got out and walked into the coffee shop.
Sophia was sitting by the window inside the café. Sunlight streamed through the glass window onto her, highlighting her rather unpleasant-looking face. Her forehead was still bandaged with gauze.
When she saw Alfonso get out of the car, she called the waiter over and ordered a cup of coffee.
She knew what kind of coffee he liked.
Alfonso walked into the coffee shop, scanned the room, and headed toward Sophia.
Sophia saw him and smiled slightly, looking a bit tired.
"Your wound hasn't healed yet. Why did you leave the hospital?" Alfonso sat down, his brow slightly furrowed.
Sophia lowered her eyes, her slender fingers gently tracing the edge of the coffee cup. "They're just surface wounds. I wanted to say thank you for what happened this time."
Since he rescued her, she hadn't seen him.
He was keeping his distance from her.
Alfonso said flatly, "No need to thank me. The most important thing now is for you to rest and recover."
Sophia sighed softly, her gaze somewhat dim. "I was planning to quietly leave Avalonia and develop my career somewhere else, to stop bothering you two. I didn't expect something like this to happen. I'm really sorry."
"Alfonso, when we first came to Avalonia and built our business together, those times were hard, but I was really happy."
Alfonso looked up at Sophia. "You focus on healing. I'm planning to give you another ten percent of the company's shares."
Sophia already had shares in the company. If Alfonso gave her more, she would become the largest shareholder.
Sophia's eyes reddened slightly. He was trying to settle all the feelings from their years of working together.
She smiled faintly. "I won't take the company shares. We've been together for so many years, you should understand my personality. I love you, but I also know you might not return my feelings. I gave willingly, and even if the outcome isn't what I wanted, I can tell myself I tried my best."
Her voice choked up slightly.
Alfonso waited for her emotions to settle before saying, "It's good that you've come to terms with it."
Sophia blinked her stinging eyes and laughed bitterly. "I really don't understand what Mabel has, besides a pretty face, that makes you like her so much."
Alfonso's expression didn't change, but when Mabel was mentioned, his eyes softened.
Sophia instantly felt like crying. After all her efforts, she couldn't compare to the pampered Mabel.
The waiter brought over the coffee Sophia had ordered earlier.
Alfonso didn't drink it. He checked his watch, looked up at Sophia and said, "You should go back to the hospital and let your wounds heal first. I have things to do, so I'm leaving."
He stood up, pulled out his chair, and walked straight to the checkout area. He paid first before leaving.
Sophia watched his departing figure. Alfonso's tall frame made her eyes fill with longing and reluctance.
She grabbed her bag and quickly walked out of the café. "Alfonso."
Alfonso stopped and turned to look at her.
Sophia smiled lightly. "Can you take me back to the hospital?"
"Sure." Alfonso walked around to the other side of the car, opened the door and got in.
Sophia got in the car and fastened her seatbelt.
The car headed toward the hospital.
Alfonso looked down at his phone. He sent Mabel a message, not knowing whether she would reply.
Thinking about how Mabel still refused to agree to be with him, Alfonso's mood turned cold.
Sophia turned her head, about to speak to Alfonso, but seeing his cold expression and sensing his bad mood, she wisely stayed silent.
The car arrived at the hospital. Sophia got out, and the car immediately drove away.
She pressed her lips together. After a moment, she walked into the hospital.
Maya went to the ward to see Sophia, but found the room empty. She anxiously called Sophia.
Sophia answered the phone and said gently, "Ms. Coleman, I'm just about to check back into the hospital."
Maya asked where Sophia was in the hospital, hung up, and hurried to find her.
"Child, why did you leave the hospital without saying anything? Your wounds haven't healed yet!" When Maya saw Sophia, she felt relieved, but her face showed concern and worry.
Maya had been terrified when she learned about Sophia being kidnapped.
Seeing Maya's concern, Sophia showed an apologetic smile and linked her arm through Maya's. "Ms. Coleman, I'm sorry for worrying you. I just went to talk to Alfonso for a bit."
Maya sighed inwardly. She gently patted Sophia's hand, her tone showing helplessness and sympathy. "Sophia, Alfonso just doesn't have good judgment."
Sophia lowered her head slightly and forced a smile. "It's okay. Feelings can't be forced anyway."
Maya looked at Sophia's pale face and her forced strength, feeling heartbroken.
She knew Sophia's feelings for Alfonso ran deep.
Maya frowned. "Sophia, don't lose heart. Mabel will never marry Alfonso. I promise you that."
Sophia looked up in surprise.