CHAPTER 146: THE GIFT

Sophia immediately ducked down, leaving only her eyes visible as she watched the scene unfold.

A man dressed entirely in black stepped out of the car.

He wore a dark hat pulled low over his face and a gray scarf wrapped tightly around his neck.

It was sweltering outside, yet he seemed completely unaffected—bundled up from head to toe, as if hiding his very identity.

Beside him walked Susan, her face lit with an almost gleeful smile.

They spoke in low tones, too far away for Sophia to hear a single word.

...

Across the drive, Susan was practically beaming.

"Godfather, I remember everything you just told me. This time, I won’t let her walk all over me again!"

The man’s face remained hidden beneath the brim of his hat.

His voice was deep and steady. "No one can know I’ve returned—not yet. I still have matters to take care of here in the country. Unless I come to you first, don’t try to contact me. If I do show up... that means the plan has succeeded."

"Yes, Godfather. Thank you!"

Susan smiled brightly, walking him to the car like a dutiful daughter.

From her hiding spot, Sophia watched the man get into the vehicle and drive away, a frown creasing her brow.

Susan’s deferential attitude toward that mysterious man was impossible to ignore.

Who was he—someone so powerful she’d treat him like royalty?

Sophia hesitated for a long moment but chose not to act rashly. She slipped away quietly instead.

...

What she didn’t know was that someone had been watching her the whole time.

From behind the second-floor curtains, Olivia had seen everything.

The corner of her lips curled into a sly, satisfied smile.

Once Sophia’s car vanished from sight, Olivia descended the stairs.

"Mom," she said softly, "God-grandfather was right—Sophia really did come."

Susan’s expression turned smug. "Godfather has always been sharp as a blade. He told me before he left—now that he’s back, whatever Sophia’s planning won’t succeed. Not this time."

Olivia slipped an arm around her mother’s. "Mom, what do you think Sophia will do when she realizes she’s been trapped by our plan?"

"Patience," Susan said smoothly. "We still have a few days. Let’s just wait and see if she really goes through with her little trip."

"Mom, I heard God-grandfather has a son... someone young?"

Susan nodded slightly. "Yes, a son born late in life. I don’t remember much about him—but it doesn’t matter. What matters is, Godfather is on our side. That’s all we need."

Olivia’s eyes brightened. "That’s wonderful! Now I can focus on my career too. I just landed a new TV drama. I’m playing the second female lead—it’s not the main role, but it’s a big step up."

"No matter what you do, I’ll support you," Susan said warmly. "As for your father, don’t worry about him. He only dislikes the idea of you being in the public eye, but deep down, he means well. Still—you’re right. If we want Sophia beneath our feet, we’ll have to surpass her in every way."

Olivia’s smile sharpened.

"Don’t worry, Mom. One day, I’ll make her kneel before us and beg."

On the other side of the city—

Sophia was already standing in Lucas’s office.

"So, you went to see him," Lucas said, his voice low. "And you didn’t get anything useful out of it?"

"Not exactly nothing," she replied, leaning casually against the edge of his desk. "He was clearly hinting at something—maybe I just haven’t pieced it together yet. But according to what he said, that day... I absolutely cannot go out. If I do, the odds are stacked against me."

"Then don’t go."

Sophia shook her head. "No, that’s exactly why I should go. If someone really wants to come after me, hiding won’t solve anything. I might dodge them this time, but they’ll just try again later. If I go now, maybe I’ll find out who’s pulling the strings—and end this on my own terms."

Fortune favors the bold.

If this was a dangerous game, she was going to play it head-on.

Lucas frowned. "But—"

"Lucas," she cut him off gently, meeting his eyes. "Whoever’s targeting me clearly knows my every move. Every step, every plan, every detail—they’ve already mapped it all out. So tell me, don’t you think facing it directly makes more sense than running?"

He exhaled slowly. He agreed—of course he did—but that didn’t make it any easier to let her walk into danger.

Sophia folded her arms, her gaze distant, her mind already running through every possible outcome.

...

Two uneventful days passed, but by the third, a thin current of tension ran through her every breath.

Who was that hidden hand, waiting in the dark?

What did they really want from her?

And when would they make their move?

Tomorrow—July 28th. The day she was supposed to leave.

Would that be the moment they showed themselves?

Or the moment everything changed?

Sophia paced the living room in slow, anxious circles.

After a while, the sound of laughter and hurried footsteps broke the silence—her six children had come home.

They rushed toward her all at once, wrapping their little arms around her.

"Mommy, are you really leaving tomorrow?"

"That’s right," she said, smiling softly. "I’ll be gone for a few days. You all have to be good while I’m away, okay?"

"Mommy’s going to win that big competition and be the best one there!" Charles said proudly, puffing up his tiny chest.

Sophia laughed. "You little flatterer."

Next, Dustin held up something bright and colorful. "Mommy, look! I made this today—it’s a bracelet! Will you wear it when you go?"

It was strung with uneven pearls, each bead painted with his own mix of colors.

Sophia’s smile warmed. "Of course I will."

Then Angela stepped forward, holding out a tiny gadget. "Mommy, this is a mini walkie-talkie! I bought it online just for you. You can use it to talk to me anytime—no matter where you are!"

It was small, but practical—and surprisingly well-made.

Sophia took it and nodded, touched. "Thank you, sweetheart."

"Mommy, I don’t have a present for you..." little Faye said, pouting. "So I’ll give you a kiss instead!"

She stood on tiptoe and puckered her lips.

And as laughter filled the room, one child stayed quiet—Billy, who silently slipped upstairs, a thoughtful look in his eyes.