Chapter 112
“I’ve got work over there,” Sophia murmured, “can’t take too much time off.”
“Why can’t you just look for a job back home?” Haley didn’t get it. “You graduated from a top-notch university. What kind of job couldn’t you snag back here? Why stick it out abroad? Must be pretty lonely all by yourself, right?”
Laura’s snarky voice rang out from the doorway as she walked in carrying a kettle, “She went abroad and sae a different world, dreaming of being top dog abroad. Like she’d even glance at a local gig.”
Haley frowned at Sophia, “Sophia, is what your mom’s saying true?”
Sophia looked at him, “Dad, what do you think?”
Stumped, Haley couldn’t figure out what Sophia was really thinking.
Sophia faced him, earnestly, “Dad, I’m not planning to emigrate. I just need to wrap things up with my work and life there. I rushed back this time because I have things to take care of.”
Haley breathed a sigh of relief, “As long as you’re not emigrating, that’s good. Nothing beats home, and here you’ve got family to watch your back.”
Laura couldn’t help but butt in, “Come back home? Where’s her home? Our house can’t accommodate such a big shot. She can go wherever she pleases.”
Haley opened his mouth to speak but ended up staying silent, just looking worriedly at Sophia.
Sophia gave him a small smile, “Don’t worry, I have no plans to go back to the West district.”
“That’s not okay,” Haley immediately disagreed, “How can you not come back to the West district? How are you going to manage on your own as a girl? Your mom’s just running her mouth, don’t take it to heart.”
He whispered the last part, not wanting Laura to hear.
Sophia just smiled, then looked at him, “Dad, after all these years, can’t you see how we’ve both been living?”
Laura exploded, “What are you implying? Have I ever starved or neglected you? Sophia, have a heart when you speak.”
Sophia ignored her tantrum, simply looking at Haley with her soft and calm voice, “Dad, I don’t want to put you in a tough spot, but I’m not keen on making things hard for myself either. Things are fine as they are. I’m doing well on my own, so don’t worry about me. Just take care of yourself, and I’ll come visit when I can.”
Haley’s eyes grew moist, “Are you leaving now?”
“Not yet.” Sophia smiled, “Just giving you a heads-up. I’ll leave after you’re discharged, but I’ve got a proposal to show a client in the next couple of days. They happen to be here too, so I want to lock it down before I head back. It’ll be easier to meet face-to-face, which means I might not have time to visit you.”
“No worries, just do your thing. Your mom’s here,” Haley said, waving his hand.
But Laura still looked sour, glaring at Sophia, “What did you mean just now, Sophia? Spell it out. How have we ever wronged you?”
“What’s all the buzz about? Quite the party, huh?” Kent chimed in with a cheerful voice as he entered, carrying fruit.
Sophia turned to greet Kent, standing up politely, “Kent.”
Kent had been dropping by often, and it was like clockwork that he’d show up just when Laura was getting all sarcastic with Sophia, which put a lid on Laura’s rants, somewhat mindful of Brandon.
Kent greeted with a smile, “Ms. Yearwood, you’re here too.”
Then he turned to Haley with a warm hello, “Mr. Yearwood, feeling any better today?”
“Much better, doctors say I might be out in a couple of days,” Haley replied cheerily, welcoming Kent, “Thanks for making the effort to come see me every day, Kent.”
“No trouble at all, the office isn’t far so I swing by to check on you,” Kent replied with a smile.
Sophia glanced at her watch and then at Haley, “Dad, I should head back. I’ll come by to see you when I can.”
Kent looked surprised, “You’re leaving already?”
It wasn’t that he was sensitive, but it seemed every time he showed up, Sophia was on her way out, no matter how long she’d been there. He couldn’t help but wonder if she was intentionally avoiding him.
Of course, he wasn’t so vain as to think Sophia would avoid him specifically; she probably just didn’t want to get too close to
anyone associated with Brandon.
Sophia maintained her polite smile, “Yeah, work’s been hectic lately. Gotta get back.”
Haley waved her off, “Go on then, be safe on the road, and don’t overdo it. Don’t work too late.”
Sophia nodded, “You too, rest up. I’ll come by to see you later.”
After bidding Kent a polite goodbye, she left.
With Sophia gone, Kent didn’t have much reason to linger. He didn’t have any specific task there, so after a bit more small talk with Haley, he said his goodbyes and headed back to the office.
When he arrived, Brandon was there, busy at his computer. Without looking up, Brandon casually started, “Back so soon?”
“Yeah, Mr. Yearwood’s recovering well. The doctor says he might be discharged in a couple of days,” Kent reported diligently.
It was Brandon who asked Kent to visit Haley.
The timing was also set by Brandon, who didn’t say much, just asked him to check in on Haley on his behalf. He never mentioned Sophia, and when Kent returned, Brandon didn’t inquire about her, just asking about Haley’s condition.
The first day, Kent thought Brandon was just being stubborn in not asking, secretly wanting to know. So, he casually brought up Sophia, only to be cut off immediately by Brandon. “No need to mention her.”
After that, Kent didn’t dare bring up Sophia again, but Brandon’s timing always coincided with Sophia’s visits, and he would inadvertently interrupt Laura’s venomous tirades.
Kent seriously didn’t know whether to chalk it up to fate or Brandon just getting Sophia, but the guy’s got a knack for showing up at just the right moment every time.
He didn’t wanna poke his nose into their personal biz, but him being the outsider always seemed to give Sophia the perfect excuse to make a getaway.
Kent was starting to suspect that Brandon was doing it on purpose.
He couldn’t help but sneak a peek at Brandon, but the dude’s cool, handsome face didn’t give anything away.
When he gave his report, Brandon just gave a nonchalant “hmm” in response.
Kent wasn’t ready to let it go, “Mr. Yearwood’s getting discharged soon. Are you planning to pick him up?”
Without even lifting his head, Brandon brushed it off, “You go in my stead.”
Kent’s still got his eyes sneakily glued on Brandon, “I think I overheard Ms. Yearwood saying she’s heading back to Wye City after picking up Mr. Yearwood from the hospital.”
Brandon’s actions didn’t miss a beat, and his expression didn’t change one bit, “Irrelevant stuff – no need to report.”
Kent didn’t know what to say.
