Chapter 169 I Hold You, Don't Be Stubborn
"Everyone, this way please," the staff member said.
At the official site inspection for the Redwood Resort plot, all the company representatives participating in the bidding had arrived.
William was followed by Molly and a male secretary; Benjamin had two male assistants beside him, and the others were similarly accompanied.
Only Sophia came without any assistants.
Joe had other matters to handle and hadn't come along.
The Redwood Resort plot was huge. The officials had arranged shuttle vehicles to transport them, but the site had been abandoned for too long—some roads were inaccessible to the shuttles, requiring people to get out and walk in on their own.
Especially the most central area.
This place retained its original appearance. The dense towering trees gave the feeling of a primeval forest, and the air was very fresh.
This was also one of the plot's major highlights. The officials strongly recommended everyone walk inside and experience it firsthand.
Sophia wore flat shoes, but the soles were slightly slippery. She suddenly lost her footing and instinctively reached out to grab the person beside her.
The bodyguard nearby didn't even have time to react.
William and Benjamin, who had been following behind her, moved swiftly to Sophia's side, each grabbing one of her arms to steady her.
The two spoke simultaneously: "Are you okay?"
One voice was cold but laced with concern, the other warm and full of worry. They stood on either side, holding her firmly.
Handsome men and beautiful women standing together naturally attracted attention.
Especially when it was three outstanding people like Sophia and the two men.
The other people present also gathered around to ask about Sophia's condition. She shook her head and told everyone she was fine.
Noticing that everyone's eyes were focused on where William and Benjamin were holding her arms, Sophia pulled her hands back and politely thanked them both.
They also noticed the others' gazes. Not wanting to create a bad impression for Sophia, the two men exchanged glances and withdrew their hands at the same time.
For the rest of the walk, Sophia could clearly feel William and Benjamin's eyes occasionally falling on her.
She felt their gazes boring into her back..
"It rained a few days ago, and there's a lot of moss on the stones here. Everyone, please watch your step."
The official guide walking ahead specifically reminded the female secretaries in high heels to pay attention to the path and avoid falling.
Besides Sophia, several other people also stepped on slippery moss and nearly twisted their ankles.
Seeing this, the officials didn't lead everyone further inside. After a quick look around, they headed back the way they came.
Suddenly.
Sophia's attention was caught by an unremarkable little plant.
She walked closer to examine it, and a gleam of delight flashed in her eyes. It was actually a medicinal herb with excellent hemostatic properties mentioned in ancient texts—' Bloodsilk Herb'!
Her desire to acquire the Redwood Resort plot grew stronger and stronger.
Because around 'Bloodsilk Herb', there would definitely be other rare medicinal plants growing. Sophia's initial judgment had been correct after all.
This Redwood Resort plot... was the ideal place to cultivate her precious medicinal herbs!
Although Molly was following behind William, her eyes had been fixed on Sophia the whole time. When she saw Sophia slow down because of the wild plants along the way, she also slowed her pace and walked to her side.
There were many wild plants around the 'Bloodsilk Herb'.
Afraid she might be mistaken, Sophia took two more steps closer, bent down to observe the herb closely, and took several photos with her phone.
The bodyguard stood by Sophia's side, so Molly couldn't act rashly.
When Sophia sensed her getting too close, she instinctively moved two steps to the side, avoiding Molly's contact.
She had the feeling this secretary was being too deliberate about approaching her.
Molly noticed that William and Benjamin's attention had been temporarily drawn away by an official talking to them. She immediately pretended to accidentally grab Sophia's clothes, sprinkling some powder on her.
"Sorry, Ms. Johnson, I didn't mean to bump into you."
Sophia caught Molly's little move out of the corner of her eye and glanced at the powder on the hem of her white coat.
It had no smell.
The color even blended into the coat's color.
If Sophia's eyes weren't sharp, she might not have noticed it at all.
Glancing at where Molly had put the substance, Sophia's wrist moved nimbly.
Using the motion of steadying herself, she discreetly retrieved the remaining powder from Molly's pocket and sprinkled it all on the back of her clothes.
Sophia smiled. "It's fine."
"But, miss, you should stand steady. Falling from that far away and landing right next to me—that takes talent."
William, who had been talking to others, immediately walked over when he heard the commotion, just in time to hear Sophia's sarcastic remark.
He frowned slightly. He glanced at the somewhat embarrassed and flustered Molly and said coolly, "Molly, you can go ahead."
Sophia looked at William, then at Molly, whose ears had turned red, her eyes playful.
Were these two actually involved?
"Mr. Smith, I'll wait for you over there." Maintaining her professional demeanor as a secretary, Molly nodded calmly and turned to leave.
Benjamin, who arrived a step later, also heard what Sophia said. He looked at Molly with added suspicion and scrutiny.
He turned his head to look at his assistant beside him. The assistant nodded and immediately walked in Molly's direction to subtly probe for information.
William glanced at the cluster of green plants under the tree, then at the photo interface on her phone, somewhat curious. "What did you find?"
Sophia put away her phone. "Nothing. Just grass."
William fell silent.
She picked up a medium-sized stone from under the tree and left the area first.
Sophia smelled the powder residue on her fingertips and instantly understood Molly's trick.
Sure enough, just as they were about to exit the woods, she heard a strange sound. Looking up, she made eye contact with a snake in the tree. She immediately threw the stone in her hand hard at the snake.
"Ah! There's a snake!"
Sophia deliberately screamed and quickly stepped aside.
Benjamin was closest to her and reflexively reached out to pull her.
But at that exact moment, William also reached out to pull Sophia.
Both were pulling, which caused Sophia, who wouldn't have had an accident otherwise, to twist her ankle. She winced in pain.
Sophia thought to herself: 'See! Getting close to men brings bad luck!'
William's heart tightened. "Where does it hurt?"
Benjamin immediately let go of her hand, his eyes falling on the foot she had lifted.
"My apologies."
With that, Benjamin crouched down and lifted her pant leg. Before Sophia could stop him, he had already seen the rapidly swelling area.
William saw it too.
His voice was hoarse. "I'll carry you."
William bent down, about to lift her up horizontally, but Sophia pushed him away, refusing his offer.
Sophia said, "No need, I'm fine."
She had barely taken a step when she felt the pain in her ankle.
William's low voice followed immediately. "Don't be stubborn."
His eyes fell on her injured foot. "I'll carry you out, and we'll go to the hospital."
However, Sophia still refused him.
Benjamin spoke up. "Sophia, let me carry you on my back."
Sophia declined politely. "No need."
She just wanted to stay far away from these men right now!
Just moments ago, when Molly heard Sophia's cry of alarm, the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curve upward.
But before her smile could reach her eyes, she discovered that the venomous snake she had arranged to be placed in the woods beforehand was actually coming in her direction.
Her eyes widened, and her body went rigid.
"Help! There's a snake!"