Chapter 29 Tying Up Loose Ends

Chapter 29 Tying Up Loose Ends

The man's voice on the other end of the line hit her like a sledgehammer.

Sophie's mind went blank. Then the realization crashed over her—he'd twisted her words completely.

"No, Mr. Carter." She scrambled to explain, her voice strained with panic as she fumbled for something that sounded reasonable. "That's not what I meant. I just thought—after what happened, you should rest another day."

Silence stretched across the line, heavy and suffocating. A few seconds later, Sebastian's voice cut through, cold and commanding as ever. "Do what I told you."

The dial tone buzzed in her ear. Sophie let out a shaky breath, feeling like all the air had been sucked out of her lungs.

Her gaze drifted to the untouched breakfast on the nightstand. She had no appetite.

Last night's kiss burned in her mind like a hot brand. The searing heat of it, the possessive force—it left her heart racing and her legs weak.

What did he mean by it?

Sophie couldn't let herself think about it. She rushed through the discharge paperwork and practically fled the hospital, heading straight for the train station.

Sebastian was already waiting in the VIP lounge.

He'd changed into clean casual clothes. The gauze on his forehead was gone, replaced by a single small bandage. His left arm was no longer in a sling. He looked almost normal—except for the cold, forbidding edge that seemed sharper than usual, carved into every line of his handsome face.

Sophie kept her head down, trying to make herself invisible, and took a seat as far from him as she could.

They didn't speak.

The high-speed train glided smoothly along the tracks, but the air between them felt like it had solidified into something heavy and oppressive.

Sophie leaned against the window, pretending to sleep while her thoughts churned relentlessly.

Sebastian reclined in his seat, eyes closed as if resting. But every so often, those ice-blue eyes would crack open just enough to land on her pale profile, his gaze dark and unreadable.

Hours later, the train pulled into Empire City.

Aiden, who'd cut his business trip short because of the injury, was already waiting at the exit. When he spotted them, he hurried over. "Mr. Carter. Ms. Turner."

Sebastian gave a curt nod, handed him the luggage, then turned to Sophie. "Have Aiden take you home. Rest."

Without waiting for a response, he strode toward a black sedan idling at the curb.

"Mr. Carter," Sophie called out instinctively, watching his retreating back. She hesitated. "You're not going to the office?"

Sebastian paused, his hand on the car door. He didn't turn around. "Going to the estate."

Sophie's heart sank.

So the attempted murder in City A was about to be settled at a family dinner.

She opened her mouth, wanting to ask if he needed her to prepare documents or contact anyone, but the words died in her throat.

This was Carter family business. Not something a secretary should meddle in.

"Be… be careful," she managed, the words clumsy and inadequate.

Sebastian let out what might have been a scoff. He didn't answer. He just ducked into the car.

The black sedan merged into traffic and disappeared.

Sophie had barely gotten into Aiden's car when a taxi screeched to a halt nearby.

The door flew open. Emma stepped out, wearing a simple white dress, clutching a thermal food container. Her hair was slightly disheveled, her face bare of makeup, her eyes red-rimmed. She looked fragile and worn, looking as if worry and fear had consumed her.

She spotted Sebastian's car immediately. And Aiden. And Sophie, just climbing into the passenger seat.

A flash of venom flickered in Emma's eyes, quickly buried under a mask of concern.

"Sebastian!" She hiked up her skirt and ran toward the car, throwing herself directly into its path.

The driver slammed on the brakes. Sebastian frowned and lowered the window.

"What are you doing here?" His voice held no warmth. Only irritation.

"I—I heard you were hurt. I was so worried!" Tears spilled down Emma's cheeks in fat, glistening drops. She rushed to the window, reaching out to grab his arm. "Are you okay? Let me see…"

The scent of her perfume wafted in. Sebastian recoiled instinctively, leaning back to avoid her touch.

Flashes of last night filled his mind—Sophie at the end of that hospital corridor, staring at the white sheet in devastation. Her voice in her sleep, broken and pleading, "You can't die." And that kiss. Soft. Warm. Real.

Now, looking at Emma with her perfectly timed tears and calculated desperation, all he felt was disgust.

He didn't bother hiding it.

Sebastian jerked back, dodging her touch as if it were poison.

The window began to rise, cutting her off completely.

"Drive," he said, his tone brooking no argument.

The driver glanced at Emma's tear-streaked face, something complicated flickering in his eyes. But he obeyed, starting the engine.

The black sedan shot forward, merging into traffic and leaving Emma standing alone on the curb.

"Sebastian!" she screamed, her voice raw and desperate. But all she got in return was the dust kicked up by his tires.

Emma's knuckles went white around the handle of the food container. Tears still clung to her face, but the look in her reddened eyes had shifted—no longer worry, but pure, seething hatred.

She knew exactly when Sebastian's attitude toward her had changed. The moment Sophie entered his life.

The fainting spell at the celebration. The accident in City A. Every single time, Sophie had used her fragile, helpless act to steal his attention.

"Sophie," Emma hissed through clenched teeth, pouring all her rage and bitterness into that name.

She refused to believe Sebastian had no feelings for her. He was just being manipulated by that conniving little fox.

She wouldn't let Sophie win.

Emma pulled out her phone and dialed Mireille's number.

She knew Sophie trusted Mireille and Samuel more than anyone. If she wanted to get to Sophie, she had to start with Mireille.

"Mireille, it's me." Emma forced her voice into something calm and apologetic. "What I said to Sophie last time might have come across a bit harsh. Sophie's going through a lot right now. We're all friends, right? Why don't we get together for dinner? Clear the air?"