Chapter 290: Don't Take Everything So Seriously, Kid

Chapter 290: Don't Take Everything So Seriously, Kid

Sophia's head snapped up, a flicker of hope lighting her eyes. "Really?"

Michael nodded, a gentle smile playing at his lips. "Austin just sent word. Mr. Peterson's still weak, but he's regained consciousness and can communicate."

The tension in Sophia's shoulders finally eased. The clouds that had been hanging over her these past days seemed to lift slightly. "Thank God," she murmured. "I'll need to bring him back tomorrow—or the day after."

"You don't need to worry about that." Michael's fingers found their way into her hair, twining through the strands. "Austin said Andrew's security detail has been watching over them. The moment Mr. Peterson woke up, they assessed his condition. They're arranging a helicopter tonight to transfer him back secretly."

"Tonight?" Sophia glanced at her phone in surprise. 11:20 PM.

"There's a twelve-hour time difference. They'll leave tonight their time—should arrive here in about thirteen hours." Michael's tone was soothing, like he was coaxing a restless child. "You can pick him up tomorrow evening. Right now, you need to sleep."

Sophia nodded, then frowned as a thought struck her. "Andrew must have arranged the helicopter, so does that mean he's..."

Michael's expression darkened, though his voice remained calm. "I had Austin question the security team. They don't know Andrew's current location either. But the fact that they could reach him means he's not in danger."

Which meant the message John had received two days ago was nothing but an elaborate trap Jane had set for him.

"Mm." Sophia's gaze drifted toward the window.

Outside, snow fell silently through the darkness, muffling the city's noise beneath a blanket of white.

"You're worried about Andrew?" Michael picked up on her mood immediately.

Sophia was quiet for a moment before answering. "He's always been meticulous and thorough. If he decided to relocate abroad permanently, he must have found somewhere absolutely safe to hide."

"But you're still worried." Michael cut straight to the heart of it. "More accurately—you miss him."

Sophia lowered her eyes, her voice hollow. "I don't know."

Or maybe it was just guilt.

Michael pinched her cheek playfully, adopting a lighter tone. "Stop overthinking. What you should be thinking about right now is—"

He leaned in close, his warm breath tickling her ear. "How you're going to make up for leaving me alone in that guest room tonight."

Heat crept up Sophia's neck. She shoved him away. "Behave yourself! My parents are right next door."

Michael pouted dramatically. "I snuck all the way over here. Don't I at least deserve some interest on my investment?"

Before she could respond, he swooped in and stole a quick kiss, then grinned like a fox who'd just raided the henhouse.

Sophia glared at him helplessly, unable to suppress the smile tugging at her lips.

The next morning, Sophia woke early. She needed to get to Vertex Innovations and clear the backlog of work that had piled up over the past few days, so she'd be free to pick up Mr. Peterson that evening.

When she came downstairs, Michael was already waiting in the living room, two steaming cups of coffee in hand.

"Morning." He handed her one. "Ready? The car's out front."

Sophia accepted the coffee, warmth seeping through the cup into her cold fingers, chasing away the morning chill. She took a sip—the sweetness was perfect, exactly how she liked it.

"Thank you," she said softly.

Michael ruffled her hair gently. "Sophia, you don't need to be so formal with me."

"Alright then." She suddenly leaned up and pressed a kiss to his lips. "Consider that my thank-you."

Michael's smile widened uncontrollably. "Ahem. Feel free to thank me like that anytime."

"Ugh~" A voice dripping with mock disgust drifted over. Lucas stood on the dining room steps, eyeing them with exaggerated distaste. "It's barely dawn and you two are already this nauseating. How can you even drink coffee that sweet?"

The tender smile vanished from Sophia's face. She shot her brother a dark look. "Watch your mouth, kid. Don't forget I've got dirt on you."

The teenager immediately threw up his hands in surrender, his expression turning obsequious. "Sorry, sis! I was wrong! I swear I'll keep my mouth shut from now on!"

Sophia snorted. Setting down her empty cup, she said, "Let's go. Mom and Dad already left for the office. We'll drop you at Whispering Pines Cottage on the way."

Lucas executed an exaggerated bow. "Thank you, dearest sister. I shall remember this kindness forever."

Sophia rolled her eyes. "You're so dramatic. Maybe you should go into acting with James."

"Really?" Lucas's eyes lit up instantly. "Sophia, you really think I have potential as an actor?"

Sophia: ...

Michael chuckled. "She's joking. Don't take everything so seriously, kid."

Lucas: ...

When they arrived at Whispering Pines Cottage, Benjamin was doing his morning exercises in the courtyard.

At the sight of the familiar silver sports car, he abandoned his stretches and hurried over, arriving just as Lucas climbed out.

"Good morning, sir."

"Morning, morning, morning," Benjamin replied absently, making a beeline for the passenger window. The moment it rolled down, his expression transformed into one of theatrical injury. "Do you have any idea how long it's been since you visited?"

Sophia sighed. "We saw each other at my birthday party. That was only two months ago."

"I don't care!" Benjamin planted his hands on his hips like a petulant child. "I finished all those cookies you sent. Next time you need to bring something different!"

Sophia pressed a hand to her forehead, exasperated. "Fine, fine. I know you have high blood sugar. I'll have the restaurant chef make some low-sugar pastries for you."

Benjamin's face immediately brightened. "You said it! No backing out—it's immoral to lie to old people!"

"I know." Sophia laughed softly, noticing for the first time how much gray had crept into Benjamin's temples. He looked noticeably older than he had five years ago.

She'd been so consumed with building her business these past years. She really should visit him more often.

"You promise?" Benjamin beamed, then seemed to reconsider the reliability of such vague commitments. "Actually, how about this weekend? Come for dinner! I'll make my famous roast chicken!"

"Deal." Sophia gave him a thumbs up. "We'll both come. Just don't complain about the work."

"Are you kidding? I'd be thrilled to cook for you two—I'd roast a whole turkey if you wanted!" Benjamin agreed enthusiastically. Unmarried and childless, he'd come to think of Sophia as something between a daughter and a dear friend.

At his age, he naturally wanted to spend more time with the younger generation.

"You said it." Sophia made a show of adding the dinner to her phone's calendar in front of him. "Alright, I need to get to work. This weekend, I'm holding you to that roast chicken!"