Chapter 97 We Are Getting a Stepdad, Right
"Mommy!"
"Daddy!"
James ran toward Sophia while Michael ran toward William. Seeing the flowers in her arms, the two boys exchanged glances, both looking happy.
Michael couldn't help asking, "Mommy, did Daddy give you those flowers?"
Sophia replied somewhat stiffly, "Yes."
She really wanted to throw away the flowers in her arms!
But whenever she thought of what William said—"Michael cried when he called me"—her mother's heart couldn't help but ache.
Michael was always cheerful around her.
After all, William had been the one by their side these past two years, so it seemed natural that Michael would choose to tell William when something upset him.
Especially now!
Seeing James's eyes sparkling as they darted between the two of them, his mood clearly much better than the past few days, Sophia told herself to hold back.
These flowers... consider them emotional comfort for the two children.
But catching a glimpse of William's smiling expression beside her, Sophia thought to herself: What's he smiling about?
She lifted her foot and moved half a step to the side, keeping her expression unchanged as she stepped on William's leather shoe.
William fell silent.
His refined and distant gaze looked down at her high-heeled stiletto, and he clenched his back teeth.
As soon as the car pulled into the Johnson Villa, Sophia learned from Allan that Raymond had come to see her and was now in the living room playing with Emily.
Seeing William, Raymond politely greeted him.
Turning to Sophia, he said, "Can we talk?"
Thinking about James and Michael's unusual behavior this week, Sophia didn't take Raymond to the study but went to the small garden visible from inside the house.
Raymond came to the Johnson Villa to bring her good news.
The herb Sophia had been searching for—Revival Herb—had been spotted by someone deep in the mountains of Hillwater Village in Cloud City.
The key point was that it wasn't just one plant, but a small patch!
This was undoubtedly huge news for Sophia.
With Revival Herb, Emily's health could be saved!
"Raymond, thank you so much!"
She asked excitedly, "Do you have the specific address of that mountain in Hillwater Village, Cloud City? I want to arrange for someone to check it out as soon as possible."
Raymond nodded and said efficiently, "I've sent the specific address and information about the person who saw the herb to your email."
"But... Sophia, I have to warn you that the person can't be certain that what he saw was the herb you drew. There could be a mistake."
Sophia couldn't hide her joy and waved her hand, "It's okay, even similarity is a kind of hope. It's better than having no news at all!"
Raymond didn't enter the Johnson Villa, but through the living room's floor-to-ceiling windows, his eyes met the cold gaze of the man inside.
He deliberately moved two steps closer to Sophia and leaned near her ear to speak.
"When I was searching for the herb, I found that the Morris family in Suncrest City is also sending people to track down this herb."
The Morris family in Suncrest City?
Even someone like Sophia, who didn't pay much attention to current affairs, had heard of the Morris family's reputation—powerful and unfathomable.
But how would the Morris family know about Revival Herb?
This was...
Seeing her serious expression, Raymond comforted her, "I covered our tracks in advance and set up a few false leads. They're temporarily misled."
Suddenly, he said gravely, "But given the Morris family's capabilities, this won't stay hidden for long. You should arrange for someone to investigate as soon as possible."
Sophia nodded and thanked him again.
She invited Raymond to stay for dinner, but he politely declined, saying he had to go to the airport soon.
"Sophia, if you really want to thank me, treat me to a nice meal when I get back from my business trip. You're not short on money now, right?"
She knew Raymond was joking about their college days when, despite having excellent grades, they were really poor.
Both of them spent their scholarships on studying, and covered their remaining living expenses through part-time jobs.
If not for their shared struggles, they wouldn't have become close so quickly or recommended part-time jobs to each other.
Sophia smiled, "That's right, not short on money."
William turned his gaze toward Sophia in the yard, smiling brightly at Raymond, and Raymond deliberately moved closer to test the waters. The warmth in his eyes receded, concealing an elusive, oppressive aura.
When he said he was leaving, Sophia was slightly surprised.
Before leaving, William grabbed her hand and told her more about the Morris family in Suncrest City.
"Last month, the Morris family in Suncrest City unexpectedly found their daughter, who had been missing for over 20 years. They treasure her dearly, but she happens to have a strange illness."
"A doctor found a type of herb in ancient texts that can cure her rare disease. The Morris family is mobilizing all their resources to search for this secret medicine."
"The politician in their family won't step down for five years. The Roberts family all belong to the Morris family faction. You can trust Raymond, but don't trust the Roberts family. Their previous generation's leader is too cunning."
William was usually quiet and rarely spoke this much.
But hearing Raymond mention Revival Herb, his expression immediately darkened, and he thought of recent rumors from Suncrest City.
About the son of the Morris family in Suncrest City.
Even he would need to be fully alert when facing him directly.
Let alone Sophia.
William reminded her, "If that herb really exists and you find it, you must hide it well."
"Except for yourself and your trusted people, you absolutely cannot let anyone else know."
Hearing this, Sophia became even more wary of the Morris family in Suncrest City. She nodded and thanked him distantly.
William composed himself and gave her one last deep look.
As soon as he left.
Sophia immediately had Monkey arrange for someone to go to Hillwater Village in Cloud City.
If Revival Herb really existed, she would have to go there herself to ensure the success rate of transplanting the herb.
Either way, this was definitely good news!
"Emily, Mommy's good baby, let Mommy give you a kiss."
Sophia, who didn't often show her emotions openly, kissed Emily and then kissed James and Michael in turn, unable to hide the happiness and joy on her face.
Meanwhile, in the back seat of the black Maybach that had just left the Johnson Villa, William lifted his eyelids slightly, "Go investigate everyone Raymond has been in contact with in the past six months."
A mere son of the Roberts family couldn't stop the Morris family's people.
The driver, who appeared honest and simple to others, lowered his head to conceal the murderous look in his eyes and nodded respectfully, "Understood!"
"Mr. Smith, Samuel sent word inviting you to come over this week."
He closed his eyes and gave a soft "Mm" in response.
That night.
In the children's room next to the master bedroom, Michael came over with his pillow to knock on the door and skillfully climbed onto James's big bed.
They sat cross-legged, leaning forward slightly with their hands propping up their chins, sighing.
The two of them were already six years old.
Sophia no longer had them sleep with her but arranged separate children's rooms for them.
Michael: "James, Raymond came today, and Mommy looked so happy."
James: "I saw that too."
Michael: "Does Daddy really have no hope? Will it really be like Johnny said—are we going to have a 'stepdad'?"
James: "Raymond is a nice person. If Mommy is happier with him, we can't force Mommy to be with Daddy."
James: "...After all, Mommy and Daddy are already divorced."
Divorce meant separation.
But they could still see both their parents every day, which made them very lucky.
He comforted Michael: "Daddy is great, and Mommy is great too."
Knowing that Michael had always wanted to live with both parents, James felt that being apart might actually be for the best.
"Michael, we can't expect Mommy to sacrifice for us just because she's our mother."
Hearing this, Michael looked thoughtful.