Chapter 62 Sophia's Future Husband
After preparing some gifts, Sophia returned to Whispering Pines Cottage.
Benjamin and Lucas were enjoying coffee and juice, respectively, while admiring today's artwork.
"Perfect timing! Come see my student's new piece!" Benjamin was visibly delighted, his pride impossible to hide.
Taking on an apprentice seemed to make him as excited as winning the lottery, practically dying to show off to the whole world that Benjamin finally had an heir to his legacy.
This piece wasn't just another of Lucas's copying exercises, but truly his first work with personal characteristics under Benjamin's guidance.
Though it still lacked some emotional expression, you could already glimpse the artist's unique personality emerging.
"Lucas's first original work under your guidance—shouldn't this be framed and hung in the most prominent spot in the living room?" Sophia teased, setting down all the bags she'd been carrying on the coffee table.
"Absolutely! I'm getting it framed tomorrow." Benjamin chuckled, then curiously rummaged through the gifts Sophia had brought. "What'd you buy? For me?"
"Who else? I couldn't just freeload a meal from you." Sophia settled on the sofa, accepting the coffee Brian brought her. After taking a sip, she continued, "I got some vitamin supplements, premium olive oil, and other health foods—use them regularly, don't keep saying it's too much trouble. I saw they had chocolate gift boxes and remembered tomorrow's Thanksgiving, so I grabbed you one."
"Chocolate?" Benjamin was like an old child—his eyes lit up at the mention of sweets. "Dark chocolate?"
"You have diabetes. Cut back on the sugar." Sophia shot him an exasperated look.
Benjamin loved dark chocolate, so she'd still bought his favorite.
"What else?" Benjamin continued digging through the bags, pulling out a box of cookies.
"Artisanal oat cookies and sugar-free ones," Sophia replied.
More of his favorites—Benjamin was practically bouncing with joy.
"No overindulging! Brian's watching you—two pieces maximum per day. If I catch you sneaking extra, I won't bring Lucas over anymore!"
Benjamin pouted. "Fine, Sophia!"
Always controlling what he ate, forbidding this and that, constantly making Brian prepare salads for him. Those salads weren't tasty at all—where was the joy compared to a milkshake?
After chatting for a while, Michael arrived as well.
Also carrying an armload of gift boxes.
"Mr. White, it's been too long." Michael greeted him warmly.
"Oh! So you still remember me? I thought you'd buried yourself so deep in work you'd forgotten all about me!" Benjamin tilted his head up proudly, clearly wanting to be coaxed.
Michael laughed, raising the bags in his hands. "I'm here to make amends!"
"Let's see what you brought." Benjamin eagerly took the gift bags, checking for anything good to eat.
Two new outfits, a pair of new shoes, plus premium wine, truffles, and gourmet nut gift boxes.
Ugh, more health foods!
"Less snacking, more fruit juice," Michael said, watching Benjamin's dejected expression with amusement.
Lucas's little eyes stayed fixed on Michael, unwilling to look away.
He was so handsome—even more handsome than James.
"Sophia, who is he?" he whispered, sidling up to her.
"He's..."
Before she could finish, Benjamin overheard and said mischievously, "That's Sophia's future husband."
Michael's face immediately turned red.
"Ugh! Stop talking nonsense!" Sophia glared at Benjamin in frustration, then said seriously to Lucas, "He's a friend I've known since childhood. Call him Michael."
Lucas nodded and politely stood up to greet him. "Michael, I'm Sophia's brother. My name is Lucas, and I'm nine years old."
"Hello, I'm Michael." Michael crouched down to talk to Lucas, handing him a small gift bag. "Nice to meet you—this is for you."
Lucas glanced at Sophia, seemingly unsure whether he should accept it, seeking permission.
"Go ahead and take it."
With approval, Lucas accepted the bag with both hands and thanked him sweetly. "Thank you, Michael, but I didn't prepare a gift for you. Can I make it up to you next time?"
Michael ruffled Lucas's hair, his lips curving in a smile. "How about you write me something as a return gift?"
"Okay!"
Benjamin, who'd promised to cook tonight, headed into the kitchen with Brian assisting him.
Lucas sat quietly nearby, reading the book Benjamin had given him.
Michael naturally gravitated toward Sophia.
"I'm exhausted," he said, leaning sideways against her shoulder for comfort.
Michael wasn't being coy—he was genuinely tired, his voice heavy with fatigue.
She gently stroked his hair, asking softly, "How are your parents doing?"
"Much more stable than a few days ago. Mr. Wright doesn't want to stay in Eldoria long, so next week he's arranging a private jet to bring my parents back to a private hospital in the city."
These past few days had been non-stop, keeping him frantically busy, all to clear the two days after Thanksgiving to visit his parents in Eldoria.
"There's also been some trouble with Black Mountain, so once I fly out, I probably won't be back for over a month."
Sophia lowered her eyes in silence for a moment, then removed the sandalwood bracelet from his wrist and toyed with it between her fingers. "Work comes first. Just make sure you get enough rest."
"Okay. I might need you to keep an eye on the Green Group. The new products are still in development, and we just signed with Vertex Innovations Ltd.—I'm most worried about problems cropping up at times like this."
"Of course. If there's anything I can help with, have Arthur contact me."
"Oh, right." Having finished discussing work arrangements, Michael sat up straight, remembering something important. "About what you mentioned last time—I have some news."
Sophia was momentarily confused, then realized Michael was referring to Emily's mysterious approach to the Smith family.
She'd personally seen the paternity test Emily had brought to the Smith family, knew which hospital had issued it, so she wasn't completely in the dark.
Michael said, "We checked the hospital surveillance and confirmed Emily personally delivered the samples and picked up the results herself. Arthur says he spotted Andrew's people at the hospital. Andrew and John are probably suspicious of Emily's motives, too."
Sophia looked thoughtful. "Emily couldn't have gotten George's hair samples, so someone's definitely helping her behind the scenes."
But she still found it strange—if the person behind the scenes really wanted to help Emily, why not just give her the test results directly?
Why make Emily personally handle the testing, appearing on surveillance cameras, and leaving suspicious traces?
Moreover, if Emily really was the Smith family's biological daughter, returning to them would be perfectly natural. The person behind the scenes would essentially be doing a good deed and could use it to curry favor with the Smith family, so why hide so deep in the shadows?