Chapter 1477: Chapter 1477

This time, Sophia didn’t hear.

Ellinor returned to her private room with her brow furrowed in deep thought, contemplating something unknown.

Balfour, seeing his sister like this, gently asked, “What’s wrong? Do you know who’s bidding against us?”

Ellinor nodded. “It’s Sophia.”

Upon hearing it was Sophia, Balfour’s expression momentarily stilled. There was a worried look falling upon his face as he understood why the bid for the piece of land had been driven so high.

He scoffed. “The Thaddeus family’s tactics are downright despicable.”

Ellinor snorted lightly. “Despicable? They’re downright greedy! They’ve increased the price by more than tenfold!”

Balfour agreed with his sister’s assessment as his gaze darkened. “Don’t worry, I’ll talk to the auction official later. I’ll get that piece of land for you at a fair market price or less.”

Ellinor didn’t have any proof that Malloy was Sophia’s father, because Malloy had entirely reinvented himself as Thaddeus, erasing all traces of his past.

But Balfour would surely know how to prove it.

Ellinor trusted him on this.

Forty minutes later, the auction concluded.

Ellinor originally planned to accompany Balfour to speak with the auction official, but Balfour disagreed.

The negotiation would certainly take some time. If she went along, it would leave only Quinton with the children.

Quinton was a rough and tough guy, so he wasn’t reliable enough with the little ones.

Earlier, he had taken two of the children to the restroom alone and couldn’t keep them both in check, losing one in the process.

If he were left alone with all three, there was a risk of something irreparable happening.

Ellinor, too, was worried about the children, so she reluctantly agreed not to go.

Balfour asked her to take the children to the car and wait for him there.

Ellinor, along with Quinton and the three children, made their way to the car in the parking lot to wait for Balfour.

About twenty minutes later, Balfour joined them in the parking lot.

As soon as Balfour got in the car, Ellinor asked, “How did your conversation go? Did the auction official believe you?”

Balfour looked at his sister and said, “I’ve explained the situation clearly, but since Sophia left early, there was no way to confront her. The auction official said they would verify the situation and get back to me soon.

As for the piece of land, it’s definitely ours, but the price is yet to be negotiated.”

Ellinor nodded. “Then we’ll wait for the auction house’s response.”

Balfour’s expression was tinged with worry as he gazed at Ellinor. “When you went to confront Sophia, did you see anyone else?”

Ellinor was taken aback by the question. “Other people? No. I only saw Sophia when I walked in.”

Balfour remained silent for a moment. “It’s okay,”

He then turned to the driver. “Take Ellinor back to the Blanchet Villa.”

“Yes, Mr. Howard.”

Ellinor couldn’t help but feel that Balfour’s question was a bit strange.

“Mr. Howard, why did you ask if I saw anyone else in Sophia’s box? Did she have company? Who was it? Her father?”

Balfour shook his head. “It’s nothing. I just had a suspicion and wanted to ask you whether she came alone or if her father was with her.”