CHAPTER 142: SURROUNDED BY DANGER

At that moment, Sophia was sitting across from Harper, leisurely sipping her coffee.

"Sophia, I’ve already memorized the entire script, so don’t worry. But..." Harper frowned slightly. "We’re only a few days away from shooting, and I still haven’t heard a word about Olivia joining the cast."

"She’s been keeping a lower profile lately," Sophia replied calmly, stirring her cup. "Honestly, even I can’t quite figure out what’s going on in her head. But she’ll show up eventually—she doesn’t know that I’m the one behind LT Entertainment."

There was no rush in Sophia’s voice—only certainty. A sheep destined for the trap would always walk in, sooner or later. There was no escaping it.

Still, with everything happening around her, Sophia had plenty on her plate and couldn’t possibly handle every detail at once.

"Sophia," Harper said suddenly, leaning closer. "Is there anything I can help you with? Seriously, I’ve been bored lately and could use a distraction—especially from that annoying man who keeps following me everywhere."

Sophia’s lips curved. "You mean Ryan?"

"Yes! Him! I don’t even know how he has the energy to trail me every single day!"

Sophia raised an eyebrow. Ryan had been assigned an important task by her, but apparently, instead of finishing it, he was busy pestering her best friend.

Still... she couldn’t help wondering if there was something more between those two.

With a teasing smile, she leaned forward. "So... what do you think of him~?"

Harper rolled her eyes. "Think of him? I can’t stand him! He’s infuriating! Besides, I’m a realist. I don’t believe in some ’spiritual connection’ nonsense with a man who can’t even prove himself. It’s not an insult—it’s just the truth."

Sophia chuckled softly. She knew Harper well—they’d been close friends for over a decade.

Money had never mattered to Harper—she had plenty of it—but when it came to relationships, she cared deeply about character and strength.

Unfortunately for Ryan, that meant he had to keep his true abilities hidden for now. Winning Harper over would be... nearly impossible.

Sophia sighed inwardly, Poor Ryan.

"I actually think he’s got potential," Sophia said.

Harper blinked. "Why? Do you know him that well?"

"Not exactly," Sophia replied. "But you can see a person’s potential if you look closely enough. Give him three years—he’ll shock the entire business and financial world."

Harper laughed, shaking her head. "You’re joking, right? I don’t mean to look down on him, but come on, Sophia—those odds are tiny. Every time I see him, he’s careless, unserious. The kind of guy who’d show up late to his own wedding. I want someone like my brother—someone strong, reliable, who makes me feel safe. Call me dramatic, call me picky, but I’ve been single for over twenty years. You really think I care about the next few decades?"

Sophia smiled slyly. "Maybe. But you know, my kids are already in school, and you’re still hiding at home."

As she lifted her cup, her eyes drifted toward the café window—and froze.

Not far away, in a black car, Ryan was sitting there, watching them.

Harper didn’t even need to look. "He’s out there again, isn’t he? He’s like a stalker these days—shows up everywhere I go. I can’t stand it."

Sophia sighed helplessly. It really wasn’t her place to interfere in their cat-and-mouse game.

Changing the subject, she said, "I’m actually planning to go abroad soon. There’s an international competition—I’ve been invited to serve as a judge. When I get back, I’ll probably see Uncle Gordon again."

Harper’s eyes widened. "Uncle Gordon? You mean he’s back?!"

"Why are you more excited than I am?" Sophia teased. "I was saving my enthusiasm for myself."

Harper’s hands clenched together, her face glowing with excitement.

"Sophia, there’s something I’ve wanted to tell you, but I didn’t know if I should..."

"Then don’t," Sophia said flatly.

"What? No way! I have to say it!" Harper pouted, leaning forward like a spoiled child.

Sophia sighed, resigned. "Fine. Spit it out."

"I like Uncle Gordon."

Sophia nodded calmly. "I know."

But Harper continued, smiling nervously. "No, I mean—I like him the way a woman likes a man."

"Pfft!—"

Sophia nearly sprayed coffee all over her friend’s face. "Do you even hear yourself right now?"

"I do!" Harper said, chin raised in defiance.

Sophia leaned back, staring at her like she’d lost her mind. "Harper, he may be single, but that doesn’t mean you have a chance! He’s practically old enough to be your father!"

"That’s why I said it’s serious," Harper said stubbornly. "I didn’t know how to tell you, but since you said he’s coming back, I figured you should know. Who knows—maybe someday you’ll be calling me Auntie."

"Get out..." Sophia glared, speechless.

But before she could say more, she noticed Ryan—no longer able to contain himself—pushing open the café door and walking straight toward them.

"Hey," Ryan said with an easy smile. "What a coincidence."

Harper’s expression darkened the moment she saw him. Her cheerful face vanished, replaced by irritation.

She lowered her gaze toward Sophia and muttered, "I don’t think I should stay here any longer. Let’s meet again before you fly abroad, okay?"

Without waiting for an answer, she grabbed her bag and stood up. She didn’t even look in Ryan’s direction as she brushed past him and left the café.

Ryan gave a helpless little smile but didn’t try to stop her. Instead, he quietly took the seat she’d just vacated.

Sophia studied him, her tone cool and direct. "Why?"

"I’m heading back to City Y in two days," he said.

Sophia leaned back. "For a moment, I almost thought picking you was a mistake. If you hadn’t said that, I might’ve been considering whether to end our partnership altogether."

She motioned for the waiter, ordered him a coffee, then asked flatly, "So tell me—why have you been following her every day?"

"She’s in danger."

"Danger?" Sophia frowned. She hadn’t noticed anything unusual around Harper.

Ryan nodded. "You didn’t notice, and neither did she. She’s so carefree that she misses every small detail. The truth is, I’ve already handled several threats myself."