Sophia totally brushed off his grumpiness.
She didn't swing by today to ruffle Daniel's feathers - she wouldn't be able to handle the guilt if she ticked him off to death. The only reason she checked up on his health was because it was going to set the stage for their chat.
Seeing Sophia stay mum, Daniel couldn't help but sneak another peek at her, yet there wasn't a trace of anger or hurt on her face.
All she did was calmly grab a chair, take a seat, and turn to him, "If you're feeling up to it, let's talk. If not, we can always catch up another day. You should rest up."
Her voice was gentle, smooth, and soothing, lacking the fiery comeback he had braced for.
This chilled-out Sophia threw Daniel for a loop, leaving him with a belly full of gripes he couldn't vent. He glared at her for a good while before finally turning his face away with a huff, "I'm fine; let's talk."
"Alright then."
Sophia cut straight to the chase, no beating around the bush, "You called me here 'cause you want me to leave Brandon, right?"
Her voice remained soft and serene. Daniel gave her a look but said nothing.
Sophia's gaze met his, "I can leave, but I'm taking my daughter with me. Once I'm gone, I promise I won't come back."
Daniel eyed her suspiciously, "What's your angle?"
"I don't have any conditions." Sophia whispered, "Just take care of your health; that's all."
Daniel couldn't help but scrutinize her, his eyes searching. This wasn't the response he was expecting.
Sophia let him look her over, her voice still calm and gentle, "You don't have to look at me like that. I'm not interested in your family, not in the wealth, the clout, the status, nothing. All I want is my daughter, but Brandon won't let us go right now. So, I need you to buy us some time, or else we're stuck."
Daniel stared at Sophia, not daring to agree.
"I know it's risky, which is why you need to be in good shape first."
Sophia left it unsaid, but the implication was clear - a spat with Brandon could land him back in the ER.
Daniel caught her drift and snapped, "Since when am I afraid of my own son?"
"That's even better." Sophia looked at him, "Once I've made the arrangements, you help me hold him off."
Daniel fell silent again.
"Got anything to worry about?" Sophia asked softly.
Daniel stayed quiet, at a loss for words.
Maybe it was because they had been stubborn about being together despite his disapproval. All he knew was that he had to oppose it, that Sophia wasn't good enough for his son, and that Brandon was meant to be with Yolanda, a match made in social heaven.
But he had never really thought about how to split them up. Now that Sophia was offering him a concrete strategy, he suddenly became hesitant to commit to sending her away.
He could hold against them just by talking, but when it actually came to him taking action to send Sophia away, he suddenly became hesitated.
Patricia, puzzled, nudged him gently, "What is it?"
Daniel shot her a glance but remained silent. Sophia didn't rush him, just gazing at him quietly.
Finally, Daniel broke the silence, "I need to think about it."
"You worried Brandon will blame you?" Looking at him, Sophia was surprised, "I thought you didn't care what happened to him."
Daniel gave her an annoyed look but didn't respond.
Sophia didn't want to push his buttons, so she softened her voice, "Don't worry. I won't throw you under the bus. Before I go, I'll leave him a letter explaining everything. It's all on me, not you."
Daniel looked at her skeptically, "Why the sudden urge to bolt?"
"It's not sudden." Sophia explained, gazing at him, "I've always wanted to leave. If it wasn't for the Zenitha-style resort project, I wouldn't have come back. Now that the project's underway, there's no reason for me to stick around."
The Indifferent Ex-Husband: Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate ï¤Chapter 450 The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus)
ï¤Chapter 590 Forgive Us, My Dear Sister ï¤Chatper 494 "And that little girl." Daniel thought of Theresa, his granddaughter he had seen at the company, Brandon's daughter, and felt a twinge of something complex.
"My daughter must be with me." Sophia insisted, "Leaving her behind would only complicate Brandon's chance to remarry. Your family won't miss one granddaughter, and Brandon will eventually marry someone you approve of, giving you the perfect family you desire; youâll have as many grandkids as you want. Plus, once I'm gone, my family won't dare bother you again. It's a win-win for you; what's there to hesitate?"
Daniel looked at her skeptically, "Can you really let go of Brandon just like that?"
Sophia nodded, "Yeah, I'm over him."
Daniel gave her a doubtful look but after a pause, he nodded, "Alright, I agree."
"I don't agree!"
Brandon's cold, stern voice filled the room as the door burst open.