CHAPTER 52: THE FACE GENIUS

"Damn it!" Ethan cursed, but the laughter from the other car wouldn’t stop.

Sophia knew the "hemorrhoid blood" stunt on Ethan’s pants was the handiwork of her six kids. She told them, "What you did was dangerous. If he’d caught you, he would’ve given you a real scolding. Still, you were clever — consider that a little punishment for him."

The six kids snickered behind her, and Sophia smiled indulgently.

"Mommy, where are we going next?"

Sophia had finished her errands for the day and now had time to spare. She checked the sky and said, "I am taking you to meet someone. No laughing — be serious."

She bought flowers and went to the cemetery.

"Mommy, is this Grandma?"

"Yes. I never explained much before because when we were abroad you couldn’t visit her. But now..."

They had finally found their biological father’s family and had come to pay respects.

"Mommy, don’t be sad. We’ll be with you." Dustin squeezed her hand. He was the quietest of the bunch.

Sophia’s lips curved — they were right. She still had them.

When they were leaving the grave and heading back to the car, a hunched figure was skulking nearby, fiddling with one of her tires.

Sophia’s eyelid twitched.

"Mommy—"

"Don’t spook him."

They walked toward the parking spot. The man appeared to be trying to take her tire off.

"Need a hand?" Sophia called.

Leon Rice shook his head and waved them off. "I can handle it myself." He kept working.

Suddenly, he froze mid-motion, as if he’d lost his nerve. He wiped his filthy hands across his face, and his lively eyes filled with panic. Then, seeing a woman with six kids, he straightened up defensively. "What are you staring at? Am I blocking you with this tire?"

Sophia was struck by his eyes at first glance. She kept her tone light, teasing, "Except you’re messing with my tire."

Leon flinched. "Yours? Come on — I’ve seen braggarts, but not like you."

Sophia raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms. "If you get my tire back on and it’s done right within three minutes, I’ll pretend none of this happened."

"Get it back on? I worked hard to take it off — you want me to put it back on?" Leon pushed the tire and barked, "Move it! Move! Don’t block the way, nobody’s got time for this!"

Sophia’s expression turned cold. She grabbed his wrist and twisted it behind him. Leon’s eyes went wide; before he could fight back, he was on the ground, clutching his back in pain — a pain that seemed almost unreal.

Sophia cocked an eyebrow and curled her fingers. "Up."

Her six kids charged. Squeals of panic erupted.

Ten minutes later, Leon — bound to the tire — stared up at them in fear. "W-what are you going to do? Don’t come near me! I’ll sue you!"

He stumbled backward and fell. The sight of him helpless was almost comical.

Standing over him, Sophia said, "You were so eager to take my tire off — now you chicken out?"

Leon swallowed hard. "Okay, okay — taking off your tire was wrong. I’ll put it back on!"

"Put it back? How long will that take?"

"Put it back? Uh... maybe ten minutes, tops!"

Sophia held out her hand, admiring her nails. They’d grown quite a bit — time for a new manicure.

"Three minutes. That’s all you get. Do you agree or not?"

"I..."

"Hmm?" Sophia’s gaze was pure threat.

"Okay, I agree!"

With a single look from her, the six kids let him go.

"Put it back properly. No tricks. I trained in kickboxing."

Leon had already learned that the hard way. Her rank wasn’t low either.

"Alright, alright!"

Freed, Leon obediently started fixing the tire.

"Ten seconds left."

Sweat beaded on his forehead.

"Three... two..."

"I’m done!"

Before Sophia could even say "one," he exhaled in relief.

"Not bad. Here—wipe your face."

She handed him a tissue, noticing how striking his eyes were — his features, too, were sharp and clean.

"Thanks, miss."

He wiped his face clean, and Sophia’s eyes lit up just a little.

Behind her, Faye whispered, "Mommy, did this big brother... get plastic surgery?"

Leon was undeniably handsome — too handsome to be stealing car parts for cash.

"What’s your name?"

Leon eyed her warily. "Why do you want to know?"

"I’m not calling the cops. What’s your name?"

"Leon Rice."

Sophia circled him once, her tone thoughtful. "Why were you stealing tires?"

"I just needed some money... for my grandma’s medical bills. Please, miss, have a little mercy. If I ever make it big one day, I’ll pay you back."

"Wow, you don’t even bother making your lies sound convincing anymore?"

"I’m not lying! My grandma has dementia. She fell two days ago—she’s still in the hospital..."

His eyes dimmed with guilt. Maybe if he hadn’t gone out that night, she wouldn’t have gotten hurt.

Sophia opened the car door. "Get in."

"Huh?"

"I’ll cover your grandma’s hospital bills."

Leon’s fists clenched. His face darkened.

"I’m not that kind of guy! I’ve got dignity, you know!"

Sophia froze for a second, then realized what he meant. "What the hell are you thinking?!" she snapped.

Leon stood his ground, stubborn as ever.

Half an hour later, Sophia stood in the hospital room, her brows knitting together — he’d been telling the truth.

Leon had even taken off his jacket before going in, afraid his grandma might worry.

When he came back out, Sophia said, "You’re short eighty thousand, right?"

"Yeah. She broke her leg in the fall."

"I can cover it — and give you some extra cash. But you’ll have to agree to one thing."

Leon stared wide-eyed, suspicious. Before he could speak, Sophia cut him off.

"Do I look like a woman desperate for a man?"

"Then why me?"

"Because of your face."

Her hand brushed along his jawline. Some people were just born for the entertainment industry.

"Take this," she said, handing him a keychain. "Go to LT Entertainment. Find Howard Hanson — tell him I sent you. He’ll sign you for three million. If you meet my expectations later, you’ll earn more."

Leon stared at the keychain in his hand. "You’re not afraid I’ll just run off?"