Chapter 265

Chapter 265

"Patrick," I called out. "This isn't the time to throw a tantrum."

Patrick showed the same expression he had as a child.

I smiled. "I know. Actually, you came to the lighthouse that day too, didn't you?"

When I brought up the past, Patrick's eyes shook violently.

He pressed his lips together and said nothing.

After a long pause, he finally nodded, his voice hoarse: "I was just worried something would happen to you."

"Actually," he lowered his head, trying to hide the guilt in his eyes, but I still caught it, "I've been living with guilt all these years."

"I keep thinking, if I had been braver that day, if I had gone with you, would things have turned out differently?"

As he spoke, his voice became choked with emotion.

I stepped forward and patted his head. "Don't blame yourself, okay?"

"We were both too young back then, and besides, I never blamed you."

"But," I looked at him and said softly, "you don't need to imitate Liam anymore. Just be yourself."

"Patrick, show your true self—that's when people will love you, not because I liked Liam and you tried to copy his personality."

After I finished speaking, I clearly felt Patrick's body trembling.

He looked at me with a complicated expression.

I knew I had hit the mark.

In fact, Patrick's personality as a child wasn't like this at all. He was cheerful and enthusiastic, like a big dog, always looking at me with bright eyes.

Patrick bit his lip, and his eyes suddenly turned red.

Seeing him like this, I sighed.

He's still just a kid after all.

I stepped forward and hugged him. "Alright, stop crying."

Patrick was much taller than me, so our hug was a little awkward.

But Patrick didn't care, and neither did I.

He lowered his head, choking out: "Sophia!"

When he calmed down, I let go.

Patrick's ears were a bit red, clearly embarrassed.

"Only now you're embarrassed?" I pretended to be angry and pinched his ear.

"Sophia," Patrick called out softly, "stop teasing me."

I laughed, and seeing that time was running out, I didn't delay any longer.

"Let's go," I stopped smiling. "Albert has waited long enough."

Patrick agreed.

Western Suburbs Warehouse.

When I arrived, it was already dark.

Albert sat in a chair in the center, holding a weapon in his hand.

Only one spotlight shone on him in the entire space, so I could see his every move clearly.

He played with the weapon in his hand, looking somewhat casual.

Seeing me come out, he looked up: "Sophia, you're right on time."

"So?" he asked. "Did you bring what I asked for?"

I held up the USB drive and some evidence I'd collected about the Sanchez family.

"I need to see where the director and the children are," I demanded.

Albert narrowed his eyes and waved his hand.

Soon.

A light sound.

Then!

The director and children were hanging on the second floor, tied together, their mouths covered, making muffled sounds.

My heart sank, and I cursed silently.

"Let them go!" I said coldly. "I'll give you what you want!"

"Throw it over first!" Albert ordered.

"Release them first!" I refused to give in.

Albert narrowed his eyes and aimed at the director's head. "I'll give you three seconds..."

"Then I'll give you three seconds too," I said coldly. "If you dare touch the director, I'll make the contents of this USB drive public right now, and you'll never get it in your lifetime."

"Think carefully!" I threatened. "When that happens, not only will the Sanchez family's business go up in flames, but you'll all go to prison too."

Albert's hand froze.

At that instant, someone crashed through the warehouse roof.

A loud crash caught everyone off guard. Albert instinctively crouched down, protecting his head.

I didn't look surprised but quickly ran toward the director's location on the second floor.

Liam descended from above, kicked the weapon out of Albert's hand, and they began fighting.

I didn't have time to worry about them and just made it to the second floor.

At that moment, Patrick arrived with the police. They aimed at Albert and shouted in unison: "Don't move!"

"Put your hands up and get down!"

"You!" Albert was now being held by Liam, looking furious. "If I can't have it, then we'll all die together!"

"There are explosives under this warehouse!"

"You mean this?" Patrick smiled mockingly, holding up the bomb, which had clearly been defused.

Albert's face immediately turned extremely dark. He screamed: "How is that possible! When did you defuse it!"

Patrick didn't answer him, just said coldly: "Want to know? Go to hell!"

The police rushed over and pinned him to the ground.

Albert looked unwilling, roaring at me: "Sophia, I won't let you go!"

"You think you've won? Even if I go to prison, there are others who will come after you!"

By then, I had untied the director and the others and walked slowly up to him.

I wasn't afraid at all.

Besides, Albert was now under control.

His eyes were bloodshot, staring at me intently.

I said: "So what? Even if they target me, I'll send them all to prison."

"Don't worry," I said with a smile. "I'll round them all up and send them in to keep you company."

"As for you, just stay in prison for now."

"Sophia!" Albert roared.

He tried to rush at me, but the police held him back, and he couldn't move at all.

Soon, he was taken away by the police.

The children rushed toward me, all teary-eyed, clearly frightened.

The director stood before me with a grateful expression.

I said: "He's been arrested now. I'll submit the relevant evidence to the police. You won't have to live in fear anymore."

The director smiled at me. "Thank you, Sophia."

I shook my head. "I just did what I should do."

The director breathed a long sigh of relief. "Now I can rest easy. Even if I get arrested, it won't matter."

Liam walked over, grabbed my hand, and said with a smile: "That's great, we're all okay."

I nodded. "Yes, that's great. So, when are you going to propose to me?"

Liam froze for a moment, then suddenly realized, his expression delighted: "Sophia, did you agree?"

I blinked, a mischievous glint in my eyes. "Did I say something just now?"

With that, I turned and walked away.

"Sophia!" Liam chased after me, calling out urgently, "Don't tease me!"

"Tell me, you agreed!"

The End.