Chapter 95 Mrs. Smith Is Beautiful and Single
Raymond's leg had fully recovered.
He came over right away with gifts to thank Sophia, and had already booked a restaurant to treat her to dinner.
"Sophia, we were college classmates after all, and you saved my life. You won't turn down a simple dinner invitation, will you?"
He crouched down in front of Emily, smiling as he ruffled her soft hair, and said gently, "Emily, am I right?"
Emily's eyes curved into little crescents as she smiled. Hearing they could go out to eat again, she nodded without hesitation, "Yes!"
Sophia happened to want to talk to Raymond about not sending any more gifts to the Johnson family, so she agreed to his dinner invitation for the next day.
Raymond didn't stay long at the Johnson Villa.
Though his determination to pursue Sophia was firm, he understood the importance of moderation and taking things step by step. If he didn't handle things carefully, he could easily scare her away or make her avoid him.
He'd already waited seven years—what was a little more time?
Raymond had to thank William for his clueless approach to romance. If William hadn't kept pushing her away, he wouldn't have this opportunity.
The next morning.
William had just finished a quarterly meeting when he heard Tony's report.
"Mr. Smith, Mrs. Smith... she went out on a date with Raymond."
William's steps clearly paused, then he continued walking toward his office.
Seeing this, Tony immediately followed and continued, "Raymond booked a private restaurant on Maple Street 99."
William was familiar with this address.
Because he and Sophia had been there before. This restaurant was famous for its limited couples' set menu—you couldn't get a table without reservations.
[This private restaurant is really famous. I booked a table for Saturday. William, come try it with me.]
Sophia's past words echoed in his ears. Thinking about her going to this restaurant with Raymond, William's entire face darkened.
Raymond had booked the best private room.
He'd contacted the restaurant in advance and arranged for a baby chair and children's meal.
He even skillfully put a bib on Emily, taking the initiative to help feed her.
Emily proudly waved her hand, "Raymond, don't."
She skillfully used her children's utensils, taking a big bite to show Raymond her appetite, smiling brighter than the sun.
Sophia sat next to Emily, wiping her mouth while saying, "Emily never needs adults to help her eat. She can do it herself."
Watching Emily eat so well-behaved, Raymond felt his whole heart melt.
Before meeting Emily, he hadn't realized he liked children this much.
His eyes softened as he said, "Emily is very good."
Hearing Raymond praise her, Emily's gaze shifted from her little bowl, rewarding him with a big smile.
Emily: "Raymond, eat."
Then she focused back on her bowl. When it came to eating, Emily was the most enthusiastic one in the family.
The private rooms in this restaurant weren't completely enclosed—the carved wooden doors couldn't fully block the view inside.
The scene of Sophia chatting happily with Raymond while Emily was there stung William's eyes.
Tony sat beside him, not daring to make a sound. The table was full of delicious food, but William hadn't touched any of it—only Tony was eating.
Watching William look like someone whose wife had been stolen, he sighed inwardly: If you knew it would come to this, why did you act that way back then?
A divorced ex-wife who'd lost all affection—how easy could she be to win back?
And William didn't know how to express his feelings. Even if he was burning inside, his mouth would stay stubborn!
William thought Emily was only close to him, but now he saw her smiling at Raymond with the same brightness and warmth—no different from how she treated him.
The frustration in his chest grew even stronger.
Sophia and Emily had no idea William was in the next private room. One ate happily while the other chatted pleasantly with Raymond.
Raymond had been kidnapped as a child and was raised by his adoptive mother, who found him.
Growing up in poverty had taught him more patience than others when handling matters, and once he set his mind on something, he was single-minded about it.
When the meal was almost over, Sophia expressed her meaning directly in a joking tone.
"Raymond, I've had your thank-you dinner, so please don't send any more gifts to the Johnson family."
William understood what she meant and went along with her words, "Everything I sent before was to show my gratitude. I won't send any more."
What he'd send next would be gifts for pursuing Sophia.
What she cared about most were the three children.
Having been immersed in business for so many years, Raymond knew best how to cater to people's preferences. He'd already had someone collect various toys that children would like.
All three of them enjoyed this meal.
Even after Raymond dropped Sophia and the child off, William still sat in the private room with a cold expression.
Tony coughed and said, "Mr. Smith, aren't you going to eat something?"
He was full, but William hadn't taken a single bite.
William couldn't eat anything now. He got up and walked outside, with Tony immediately following.
To avoid being discovered by Sophia, William had Tony switch to a different car. They followed Raymond's car all the way to the Johnson Villa.
Sophia got out of the car holding Emily, thanking Raymond for driving them home.
"Wait a moment."
Raymond quickly walked to the trunk and took out two bouquets—one large, one small.
"Sophia, I thought I'd be in a wheelchair for the rest of my life, but you made me stand up again. I'm truly grateful. You won't accept expensive gifts, so please accept these flowers as thanks."
"Don't worry, this is the last bouquet to express my gratitude." His voice was sincere, and his eyes showed no emotion beyond gratitude.
Raymond understood Sophia to some extent. He didn't dare express his feelings immediately—slowly integrating himself was the best approach for now.
Sophia wasn't someone who acted coy. Since he'd put it that way, refusing would be somewhat disrespectful.
Besides, she was single now. Even if she accepted flowers from a man, so what?
Sophia took the flowers. "Thank you."
Raymond smiled at her, then bent down to hand the smaller bouquet to Emily in Sophia's arms, continuing, "Emily gave me candy, so this bouquet is in exchange for the candy. Is that okay?"
Emily looked at the large bouquet in Sophia's hands, then at the small bouquet in her own hands, her clear and lively eyes full of sparkling joy.
She hugged the flowers to her chest and said sweetly, "Thank you."
Today's progress had exceeded Raymond's expectations. Very satisfied with the results, he left after delivering the flowers, using work as an excuse.
Sophia, who had been worried the flowers might have other meanings, saw his calm expression and didn't think much more about it.
Emily shook the small bouquet in her arms, then pointed at the bouquet in Sophia's hands, saying cutely, "Mommy's, Emily's."
Raymond really knew how to give gifts that touched Emily's heart. She happily climbed down from Sophia's arms, holding the flowers in one hand and holding Sophia's hand with the other, walking home with cheerful little steps.
Seeing Emily so happy, Sophia's face also lit up with a smile.
This scene was quite irritating to William's eyes. He suddenly asked Tony, "Do you think they're well-matched?"
The latter didn't dare answer that they were, and said tactfully, "Mr. Smith, Mrs. Smith is beautiful and single. It's normal for her to have admirers."