Chapter 76
Ever since their tense conversation the night before, Cyrus noticed Simone was deliberately avoiding him. showed up in the living room.
Cyrus had tried several times to explain himself, but Simone never gave him the chance.
That evening. Cyrus planned to sit down and talk things through with h
her than mealtimes, she barely
her. But just as he was about to start, he got a call from Christian.
Christian told him there was a major issue with a client overseas–s something tricky enough that Cyrus had to fly out immediately.
After hanging up, Cyrus looked at Simone and said, “Simone, something’s come up at work. I need to head overseas for a bit.”
Simone hesitated, remembering the deep frown on Cyrus’s face during the call. It must be something serious. She asked. “Is it bad?”
Cyrus smiled faintly, trying to reassure her. “Not really. Don’t worry about it.”
Simone pressed further, “How long will you be gone!” Since she came back to the Irwin family, this was the first time Cyrus would be leaving her
Cyrus paused, then let out a soft chuckle. “Not long. I’ll sort it out and come back as soon as I can.
The thought of leaving her, even for a little while, left Cyrus restless.
After a brief silence, Cyrus said, “I don’t feel right leaving you here alone. I’ll have you stay ai Irwin Mansion for now.”
Even though there were housekeepers at home, Cyrus still felt uneasy.
Simone just nodded. “Okay,” she said casually
After dinner, Simone quickly packed her things. Cyrus, reluctant to part with Simone, personally escorted her to Irwin Mansion and gave her a long-winded lecture before finally leaving
Cyrus had been gone for a week now, with no sign of his return.
Every day after school, Simone would either be roped into a chess game by Graham or dragged along for a fishing trip.
If Graham played chess seriously, she might have tolerated it, but he’d always take back his moves whenever he was losing. It was driving her up the
One day, Graham was pestering Simone to play chess with him again when Sophia showed up.
“Sophia Simone’s eyes lit up like she’d just spotted her savior.
“You again? What are you doing here this time? Graham grumbled, his lips pressed into a tight line.
“What do you mean, ‘again? That’s such a cold thing to say, Dad Sophia shot back, rolling her eyes.
Sopivia had been visiting Irwin Mansion almost daily to check on Simone and was already used to Graham’s antics.
In the past, Sophus had genuinely feared Graham. But now, with Simone looking at her with those pitiful, pleading eyes, her heart melted completely.
Summoning her courage, Sophia declared, “Dad, let Wayne play with you for once. Stop hogging Simone–she’s coming with me!”
Graham shot Sophia a long, incredulous look as if he couldn’t believe she’d just said that
Sophia braced herself for a scolding, but to her surprise, Graham replied, “No way. He is terrible at chess. I refuse to play with him.”
“Sorry for my poor chess skill, Wayne said, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
Sophia ignored him entirely. She didn’t like either of the two orphans Graham had taken in.
Suddenly, Sophia lit up with a smile. Simone, how about coming to my place today?” she asked cheerfully.
Simone took one look at the chessboard Graham had set up and didn’t hesitate for a second. “Yes, Sophial Please take me with you!” she said.
“Grandpa, I’m going to Sophia’s house today,” Simone said, looking at Graham with a palpable sense of relief.
Graham thought to himself, ‘Is playing chess with me really that unbearable? Am I that bad”
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Chapter 76
After leaving Irwin Mansion, Wayne brought Simone back to the Miller residence. Both were in high spirits—until someone blocked their way at the door.
“Sophia, you can’t go in!” A woman opened her arms, her expression flustered.
This is Natalie, Kevin’s younger sister. She had always disliked Sophia,
“What’s the up to this time? Sophia thought. Frustrated, she shoved Natalie aside a
and snapped, “This is my
is my house! Why can’t I go in!”
Natalie’s panic only deepened. You just… can’t go in right now! she stammered, her voice growing more frantic
Sophia narrowed her eyes, suspicion creeping in. What are they hiding” she wondered.
A sudden realization struck her. Fixing Natalie with a cold glare, she said sharply, “Move.”
in my room for now, alright?”
Then, she turned to Simone and softened her tone. Simone, I need to handle something first.
g first. Go wait in m
Simone nodded quickly, sensing the tension. “Got it,” she replied without hesitation.
vant to escort Šimone to her room, then strode toward Revin’s bedroom.
Sophia instructed a servant
Sophia was just at the doorway when she heard a man’s heavy breathing mixed with a woman’s sultry moans with pleasure.
Without hesitation, she shoved the door open.
Clothes were strewn across the floor. Kevin and a woman were locked in a heated embrace. She immediately caught the deep red scratches, running down Kevin’s hack
Her heart clenched painfully as if someone had twisted a knife in her chest
The noise startled the pair on the bed. The woman, completely unfazed, lazily pulled a blanket over their entangled bodies.
Kevin, however, didn’t even bother to look guilty. He shot Sophia an annoyed glare and sneered. Why are you back so early! Always ruining my fun”
With that, he leisurely pulled himself away from the woman, as if Sophia’s presence was nothing more than a minor inconvenience.
The woman lero
tout a breathy moan, then pouted and playfully smacked Kevin’s arm. “Please be gentle
The two of them took their time getting dressed, completely ignoring Sophia as if she were invisible.
“You two are disgusting” Sophia spat, her hands clenched into fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms. Even though she had braced herself for this, seeing it still made her heart ache unbearably.
Fighting back the tears, she glared at Kevin and demanded, “Kevin, if you want to fool around, fine. But we agreed–no bringing your trash into this house!!
*Sophia, Kevin, and I are truly in love. I know you don’t like me, but you can’t talk about the like that,” Harper said, her voice trembling as her eyes filled with crocodile tears.
“Shameless You really think you’re something, don’t you?” Sophia snapped, her fury boiling over. She marched up and delivered a stinging slap across Harper’s face.
Harper’s expression shifted instantly. She clutched her check and burrowed into o Kevin’s arms, sobbing pitifully. “Kevin, she hit me! I can’t take it
Kevin’s face darkened with rage as he immediately pulled Harper behind him. “Sophia, how dare you lay a hand on Harper he snarled.
With a vicious kick to Sophia’s chest, he roared, “T’ll kill you!”
The force of the kick sent Sophia sprawling to the ground. Kevin stored over, grabbed her by the collar, and slammed her back down. Straddling her, he began raining down slap after slap, his face twisted in unbridled fury.
This was the scene Simone walked into when she arrived.
Without a moment’s hesitation, she rushed forward and delivered a powerful kick that sent Kevin sprawling “Get lost” she snapped.
