Chapter 16 Competing with the Smith Family for the Child
The tent was finally set up, and the three kids started moving their toys inside, like little hamsters.
James and Michael handed the toys from outside while Emily, in her cute socks, arranged them inside the tent.
After they were done, all three were sweating.
Sophia quickly brought them some water.
Alice, holding a kite, looked both sad and frustrated. She waved at Michael, "Michael, don't you want to fly the kite? I already got it out."
James had already taken off his shoes and was inside the tent, looking back at Michael with Emily.
Michael, who had just removed one shoe, hesitated, glancing at the kite in Alice's hand, clearly tempted.
Seeing this, Alice immediately went over and grabbed his hand, looking into the tent at James, and urged, "James, Michael, what's so fun about the tent? Come out and fly the kite with me."
Emily sat obediently in the tent, blinking and playing with her toys alone.
She was happy if someone played with her.
If no one did, she'd play by herself.
That was one of the most endearing things about Emily.
Just like her mom.
Suddenly, a small toy appeared in Emily's palm. She looked up to see James smiling at her.
He patted her hair and said to Alice, "Thanks, but I'd rather play in the tent."
The tent was set up next to the camping canopy.
Sophia was cutting fruit for the kids and glanced over at James and Michael when she heard Alice.
Seeing the longing in Michael's eyes, she understood immediately.
Though she was Michael's biological mother, he had always been close to Alice.
A son without a heart couldn't be forced, so she said directly to Michael, "If you want to go, then go."
James also turned to Michael and nodded.
Michael glanced at Sophia, feeling upset that she didn't care about him.
Fine, I'll go! She doesn't like me anyway.
He got up and left the tent.
Emily continued playing with her blocks, her pigtails swaying adorably.
Alice happily dragged Michael along, but her high heels kept sinking into the grass with every step.
Forget running to lift the kite; even walking two steps was difficult.
Michael watched the kite fail to take off repeatedly, feeling disappointed.
Alice bit her lip and pleaded with William, "William, I can't run anymore. Can you help me?"
William noticed Michael's disappointment and stepped forward to take the kite string from her.
Soon, the kite was soaring in the sky.
Sophia and Lyra had also taken off their shoes and joined the kids in a game of Jenga.
Lyra excitedly suggested a competition.
"Sophia, Emily and I will be one team, and you two will be the other. Whoever loses gets a sticker on their face." Emily and James were also excited, giving it their all.
Half an hour later.
All four had stickers on their faces.
Emily looked at the new yellow sticker on her nose and couldn't help but blow on it, her eyes full of joy.
Laughter from the tent frequently caught Michael's attention as he flew the kite.
William's gaze also drifted to the tent several times.
Alice sat on a nearby chair, her eyes dark. She had worked hard to get William's schedule today, using the excuse of accompanying the kids to get close to him. She wouldn't let Sophia ruin it.
She harbored a fierce determination in her heart: Sophia, the Smith family is mine, and William is mine!
As for your James and Michael, they will eventually call me mom!
Alice was determined to win.
After playing for a while, Emily and James were getting tired.
The sun wasn't as harsh outside, so Sophia took Emily and James out of the tent. James saw some classmates from kindergarten and, with Sophia's permission, took Emily to play with them.
Before leaving, he called for Michael to join them.
Sophia kept her eyes on the kids, while Lyra, sitting next to her, gestured towards Alice.
She clicked her tongue, "Your ex-husband sure has a lot of women around him."
Sophia glanced over at Alice and said indifferently, "I wish them all the best."
Hopefully, they get together soon and have lots of kids.
So they won't fight me for custody.
Lyra looked worried, "Sophia, are you really going to fight the Smith family for the kids? They've been the top aristocratic family for years. Your ex-husband may be terrible at relationships, but he's good at his job."
If he didn't want to let go, it would be hard for Sophia to get custody.
Sophia gazed at the clear blue sky, her tone resolute, "They are my children. No matter what, I have to fight for them."
From the moment she left the Smith family, she never gave up on her kids. She had been quietly building her influence over the past two years.
Lyra sighed, "If you need my help, just ask."
As they talked, Sophia saw Alice walking towards the kids and quickly followed, worried she might do something to them.
As she got closer, she heard Alice chatting with other parents.
"Ms. Rivera and Mr. Smith are getting married soon?"
Alice feigned shyness, glancing at William, who was on the phone in the distance, and then at Sophia.
She raised her voice, "Yes, we've met each other's parents. James and Michael like me a lot. As soon as William has some free time, our families will discuss the wedding. We hope you'll all join us for the celebration."
Back in school, Alice had always liked William, but he was focused on his studies and had no interest in relationships.
After graduation, he immediately took over Peace Group and suddenly had a fiancée from an old arrangement. They got married and had kids.
But luckily, they got divorced!
Alice smirked. Even if she had William's body, a five-year hidden marriage still ended in divorce.
Sophia, noticing Alice staring at her, rolled her eyes.
Everyone was surprised by Alice's words.
In their circles, couples usually got engaged first, spent some time together to see if they were compatible, and then got married.
Alice provocatively looked at Sophia and continued, "William said his previous marriage was miserable, causing him five years of torment. He wants to marry me quickly to wash away the shadow of that marriage."
Sophia stopped in her tracks.
Miserable, torment, shadow...
Suddenly, it felt like a dull knife was twisting in her heart. She gritted her teeth: That bastard!
The five years she had put her heart into were reduced to such a harsh judgment.
"Looks like Mr. Smith really hated his hidden wife. I wonder what kind of woman she was."
"I heard they had a kid in the second year of marriage. People thought he was hiding her to protect her, but now it seems he was forced to marry someone he didn't love and didn't want to show her off."
"Everyone knows Alice from the Rivera family is the only woman William has ever introduced publicly. Her status is clear."
Sophia heard all the whispers.
She didn't want James and Emily to suffer from gossip, so she didn't go closer. But Emily saw her and ran over happily.
"Mommy—"
Everyone saw Sophia and gasped, stunned by her exquisite features and elegant demeanor.
"Whose daughter is she? She's gorgeous!"
Alice lowered her eyes to hide her jealousy. No matter how beautiful Sophia was, she couldn't win William's heart.
But the next moment!
James caught everyone off guard.