Chapter 27 Mistaken for an Illegitimate Daughter
Benjamin's grip on Sophia's arm loosened a bit, but he didn't let go completely.
Sophia didn't mind. She rested her chin on his shoulder and said, "Alright, I forgive you. But next time, don't hold me so tight, or you'll choke me!"
Benjamin's breath hitched at her words. He raised his hand and pinched her cheek gently but firmly. "Don't say stuff like that," he warned in a low voice.
Sophia pouted and whined, "You're being mean to me!"
Benjamin just sighed, feeling a bit helpless.
Who knew comforting a woman could be harder than closing a billion-dollar deal?
No wonder his employees preferred staying at the office rather than going home.
Sophia had no idea what was going through Benjamin's mind. She poked his arm and said, "Honey, I'm starving."
Benjamin replied, "There's food warming in the kitchen, saved just for you. Go eat."
Sophia quickly planted a light kiss on his cheek. "You're the best, babe! Love you."
She hurriedly put on her shoes and ran out.
Watching her cheerful departure, Benjamin's ears turned slightly red, and he lowered his gaze in thought.
When Sophia sounded that happy, it must mean she was in a good mood now, right?
Benjamin felt he was right and chuckled softly.
As expected... Sophia was still a kid.
Downstairs, when Sophia went downstairs, it was pitch dark. Only a few dim nightlights were on.
The large manor was empty and dark, giving off a slightly eerie vibe.
Sophia searched for a while but couldn't find the switch, so she had to rely on her memory to find the kitchen.
She lifted the lid of the pot, and the aroma of chicken soup wafted out. Sophia instinctively squinted her eyes.
It smelled delicious but a bit greasy. She wrinkled her nose in distaste.
She quickly opened the fridge and saw it was stocked with snacks.
Sophia hurriedly grabbed the snacks.
So, in the super quiet White Manor, there was a faint sound of munching.
Cillian returned to the White Manor immediately after finishing his concert in Harmony City.
Yawning and ready to go upstairs to rest, he heard munching sounds coming from the kitchen.
The kitchen light was still on.
He frowned in confusion.
It's three in the morning; who could be in the kitchen at this hour?
Could it be a burglar?
Driven by curiosity, Cillian changed direction and headed to the kitchen.
As he got closer, the munching sound grew louder. Cillian held his breath and kicked open the half-closed door.
Looking inside, he saw a girl with shoulder-length hair, wearing a pink knee-length dress, squatting on the floor.
Around her were numerous snack wrappers.
Cillian was stunned.
These were his chips and soda.
His treasured snacks!
They were being stolen!
"Hey! Those are my chips and soda!" Cillian shouted angrily. Sophia was startled, and the chip she was about to eat fell to the floor.
She turned around in shock and saw a boy about her age standing at the door, glaring at her furiously.
His expression was as if she had taken his most precious belongings, and he looked ready to explode.
Sophia stared blankly at the enraged boy, then offered him the half-eaten snack bag, "Want some?"
"These are all mine! Mine!" Cillian's chest heaved with anger.
He couldn't believe that while he was out performing, his treasured snacks had been stolen by a stranger girl!
Cillian suddenly thought of something and began scrutinizing Sophia. "Who are you? Where did you come from? Spill it!"
Sophia looked at Cillian's angry face, then at the snack bag she had been holding up for a while. Seeing no one would take it, she took it back and continued eating.
The sound of munching resumed.
Cillian's anger boiled over.
In his twenty years of life, he had never met someone so brazen.
With one hand on his hip and the other pointing at Sophia, he stammered, "You, you... How old are you? When did he bring you into the White Family? Did Grandpa agree?"
Cillian felt a pang of sadness at the thought.
He momentarily forgot about the eaten snacks.
He lowered his head, staring at Sophia, determined to get an answer.
Sophia tilted her head in confusion and answered honestly, "I'm twenty, came here the day before yesterday, and Grandpa let me stay."
Cillian's breath hitched, and his eyes reddened.
He clenched his fists, glaring at Sophia with intense anger.
Twenty. Same age as him.
She seemed younger.
That jerk Magnus must have been fooling around while his mom was pregnant with him!
Not only did he have a secret daughter, but she was also the same age as him!
Cillian was filled with rage, feeling bitter and wronged, wanting to throw the girl who disrupted his family out.
But then, a hand appeared in front of him.
She had somehow switched to a new bag of chips and was offering them to him. "Really not going to eat? They're delicious!"
The girl looked up, her face delicate, her eyes bright. They sparkled like a star-filled night sky under the light.
Though she offered the chips, her eyes clearly showed reluctance.
Cillian's heart hardened, and he snatched the chips, grabbing several and stuffing them into his mouth.
These were his snacks; why shouldn't he eat them?
He wouldn't let this illegitimate daughter have them!
Sophia had never seen this boy in the White Manor before and didn't understand why he was staring at her with such complex emotions.
But sneaking snacks at night was naturally a sharing activity.
So despite her reluctance, Sophia offered the chips to Cillian.
After eating a bag of chips, Cillian's mood slightly improved.
He began to seriously observe the girl in front of him.
She must resemble her mother; she didn't look anything like Magnus.
He scoffed internally, thinking he'd let her off for now, thanks to the chips.
Cheating was an adult issue. As her brother, he couldn't take out all his anger on his innocent sister.