âSophia, this doesnât feel like a genuine invite. Itâs more like youâre forcing me to accept. Are you implying that Iâm some cold-hearted witch if I donât go?â
Sophia was left speechless by Ellinorâs rebuttal.
So, she handed the invitation to Collin, who was standing nearby, and turned back to Ellinor. âEllinor, I really do want you to come. Maybe I was a bit pushy and made you uncomfortable. Iâm sorry. Hereâs the invitation. Theoâs friends will be at my birthday dinner too. I hope you can make it! Iâll get going now;
I donât want to disturb your rest.â
After speaking, she turned to Collin and spoke in a friendly tone. âCollin, take good care of Ellinor while youâre here for Theo, okay?â
Collin nodded. âI will.â
Sophia picked up her bag and left, smiling.
up he Collin didnât see her out because he didnât want to upset Ellinor. He was left holding the invitation, unsure of what to do next.
âMs. Sophia and Mr. Blanchet are just ordinary friends. Please donât misunderstand them. Sophia has lived abroad since she was young. She may be a bit open and careless, but sheâs a good person. They met while studying abroad.â
Ellinorâs mouth twitched with sarcasm. âFriends? Does Mr. Blanchet usually get married to his friends?â
Collin was taken aback. âYou already know it⦠Actually, thatâs becauseâ¦â
Ellinor cut him off. âYou donât have to explain! I donât care what the reason was; I donât want to know anymore.â
After saying this, Ellinor retreated to her room and slammed the door.
Collin was left with a helpless expression, sighing deeply.
Ellinor returned to her room and continued browsing baby products online, but her mood was more restless than before. Even after seeing cute baby clothes, she felt no interest in buying them.
At night, Chase and Ida came home and found the invitation that Sophia had left.
Belinda and Byran also happened to visit, and the four of them discussed the intention behind the invitation.
Belinda said, âI know Sophia! She was a classmate of my uncleâs in college. I heard she once did him a big favor, so he treats her as a friend. Thereâs nothing improper between them; I can vouch for that!â
Byran snorted. âWhat are you vouching for? You didnât go to study with Theo, so how could you possibly know everything? I think Theo is more polite to Sophia than he was to my sister before. She might be Theoâs first love!â
Belinda glared at Byran. âStop talking nonsense! My uncleâs first love is Ellinor! Heâs a very upright person!â
Byran looked skeptical. âTheo is so handsome! You really believe heâs still single at 30? All the girls in school are crazy about him. Theo is a man, so who knows if he can resist such temptation.â
Belinda put her hands on her hips, retorting. âHow do you know all the girls in school are into him?
Have you had any experience? You talk like youâre very experienced, didnât you resist temptation?â
âI have no experience! Donât slander me!â Byran quickly looked at Ida, afraid she would misunderstand, but Ida was just looking at her phone, seemingly not listening to their conversation.
Belinda rolled her eyes. âYou donât want to be slandered, but you can slander my uncle? Be careful, or Iâll tell your brother youâre harassing girls at school!â
Byran was left speechless. âYouâ¦â