Chapter 17 Do You Like the Man I Personally Trained
"Mom!"
James ran after Emily and stopped in front of Sophia, with Michael trailing behind.
She handed the two kids some water and, noticing Michael's thirsty but shy expression, offered him her own bottle.
Other families nearby, curious after hearing James's loud call of "Mom," glanced over in surprise.
"Isn't that the Smith family's secret ex-wife?"
"Maybe Mr. Smith keeps her hidden because he's afraid someone will steal her away."
Everyone suddenly got it.
If their family had such stunning beauty, they wouldn't want to flaunt her either.
Alice's face tightened, and she glared at Sophia with eyes like daggers, wishing she could pierce her heart right there. But when others looked, she immediately put on a sweet and gentle mask.
Adorable Emily.
She had just arrived and had already become the favorite among the kids.
Children's affection is the simplest and purest.
Seeing how beautiful and kind Sophia was, they ran over to greet her. Sophia was momentarily stunned but then smiled at the kids.
"Thanks for playing with Emily."
"It's getting late. We need to go home for dinner. Emily, say goodbye to your friends."
Emily waved to her new friends and then jumped into Sophia's arms for a hug.
Sophia picked Emily up, took James's hand with her other hand, and James held onto Michael as the four of them headed towards the tent.
At that moment, Alice suddenly spoke up, her expression filled with confusion and wariness towards Sophia: "Ms. Johnson, where are you taking William's children?"
Her sweet tone, coupled with the authority of the Smith family matriarch, made it seem like Sophia was a child kidnapper, drawing more attention.
Sophia ignored her and continued towards the tent with the kids.
Alice tried to follow but stumbled again as her high heels sank into the grass, causing her to fall.
William, who had just finished a phone call, saw this and frowned slightly. He gestured to the nearby staff.
Someone immediately went to help her up.
Disappointed that William didn't show her any sympathy, Alice was about to put on a tearful act when William's phone rang again.
Seeing James and Michael staying obediently by Sophia's side, he answered the call.
There was an issue with a project abroad that needed his attention.
Tony was already at the company handling the progress, but William needed to return to the office. After hanging up, he went to get his sons.
Sophia, noticing how busy he was, understood it was work-related.
She looked at James and Emily, who clearly hadn't had enough fun yet.
"Mr. Smith, since you have work to do, why don't you let the kids stay and play for another day? You can arrange for a driver to pick them up tomorrow."
William looked at James for his opinion, and James immediately expressed his desire to stay.
Even Michael shyly said, "Dad, I want to stay with James."
He glanced at Sophia, feeling disappointed when she didn't look at him: Why does she only care about James?
The staff helped Alice to a flat area, and she weakly said, "William, my leg hurts..."
William frowned, "I'll have someone take you to the hospital."
Alice's eyes reddened as she weakly asked, "Can't you take me?"
William: "No, I have work."
Hearing this, she quickly put on a gentle and understanding demeanor.
"Then you should focus on your work. James and Michael can stay with me at the Rivera house tonight. You can pick them up when you're free."
She glanced meaningfully at Sophia and continued, "My dad hasn't seen you in a while and has been wanting to invite you over for dinner."
James shook his head, "No need, Ms. Rivera. Michael and I will stay with Mom. The driver will pick us up tomorrow."
Rejected by James again, Alice clenched her fingers and turned her attention to Michael, who was more easily swayed. But he was currently engrossed in a new toy Lyra had given him and smiled challengingly at her.
Lyra observed the situation.
It was clear that James preferred his biological mom, Sophia, while Michael was more mischievous and easily distracted by new toys.
If she could gain two more adorable godsons, she could provide all the toys they wanted.
The Cole family owned companies that collaborated with major toy brands, and one call could get as many toys as needed.
Emily, nestled in Sophia's arms, rubbed her tummy and said playfully, "Mommy, my tummy is singing."
Sophia kissed her, "Alright, let's go eat."
Lyra, holding the hands of her godsons, followed Sophia towards the dining area.
William headed to the office to handle work matters first.
Alice kept up her act until he left, then turned with a cold face, watching the happy group in the dining area with a growing sense of madness.
In the restroom of the restaurant.
Sophia bumped into Alice, who was waiting with a hostile expression, demanding that she stay away from William.
"We're long over. Instead of threatening me, why don't you talk to him about giving me custody of the kids?"
"Sophia, stop pretending. You showed up in front of the kids on purpose to get back with William using your blood ties. But it's not going to happen. Everyone knows he truly loves me!"
Sophia had intended to speak calmly.
If Alice could truly change William, and she could get custody of the kids, she'd tolerate her words.
But Alice was clearly just venting her emotions.
Sophia's eyes turned cold.
"If that's what you think, then I have nothing more to say."
"Sophia, stop!"
Alice, with her long manicured nails, reached out to grab Sophia's slender arm, but Sophia deftly avoided her, causing Alice to fall due to her high heels.
This time, she genuinely twisted her ankle.
Alice lashed out, "Sophia, do you know what William says about you? He says you disgust him, that being with you for five years was like being in prison!"
Sophia, who was good at reading people since childhood, wasn't a fool.
She knew what women like Alice cared most about and that their words were often half-true.
Alice wanted William, but couldn't get over the fact that Sophia was his first wife, so she kept coming to her for satisfaction.
Sophia's face turned cold as she approached Alice.
Alice, secretly pleased, discreetly dialed William's number to let him hear Sophia's "disgusting" side.
Sophia smirked coldly.
"Alice, William's first kiss was with me, his first night was with me, his first marriage was with me, and he became a father because of me. What do you think I mean to him?"
Seeing Alice's face turn red with anger, Sophia's smile grew brighter, "Do you know how inexperienced he was on our wedding night, how passionate, how long it lasted?"
"All his skills in bed were learned with me. When you two are together, do you think he's thinking of you or me, his ex-wife?"
Each sentence was a knife to Alice's heart.
Her chest heaved with rage, just imagining the man she loved spending five years with Sophia drove her mad!
Sophia, having started, intended to finish.
She shook her head in mock disappointment.
"Too bad, only I have seen that side of William. You'll never get to."
Alice glared at her, but Sophia smiled radiantly, looking down on her jealousy and hatred.
"The man I trained personally, do you like him?"
On the other end of the line.
In the Peace Group's conference room, there was complete silence.