Sophia zoned out and couldn't figure out why. She remembered that name. She had seen it before on the honor roll at West District High School, right next to the name "Sophia."
That familiar pang of nostalgia mixed with a touch of sadness washed over her again. It was a strange feeling, heartwarming yet heart-wrenching, making her nose tingle and eyes moisten without her control.
Sophia couldn't put her finger on why she felt this way. Her mind was a blank canvas, and she had no clue why this person wanted to add her. But just the sight of that name brought on an inexplicable sense of "hope you're doing well" that was both comforting and heartbreaking.
Right then, Amanda walked up and caught Sophia with teary eyes, staring blankly at her phone. Freaking out, she quickly put down the ginger tea she was holding and asked with concern, âWhatâs up? What happened?â
Sophia looked up at her, bewildered, which freaked Amanda out even more. She quickly crouched down to comfort her: âDonât cry, donât cry. Did someone give you a hard time? Spill the beans to your godmom, Iâll sort it out for you.â
Sophia just shook her head blankly, trying to speak, but her throat felt choked up. She was just really sad. A kind of helpless sadness.
âItâs okay, godmomâs here.â Without getting to the bottom of it, Amanda could only pick up the ginger soup she had prepared and hand it to her, âLetâs have some ginger soup to ward off the chill. Youâve just been discharged; your immune system is still weak. Donât catch a cold again.â
As she said this, she scooped up a spoonful of ginger soup, trying to feed it to Sophia. When the spoon reached her lips, Sophia finally snapped back to reality and took the ginger soup from her, âI got it.â
Her voice was a bit hoarse, whether from the cold or from being emotional, she wasn't sure. Amanda didnât argue, just softly reminded her, âCareful, itâs hot. Take it slow.â
Sophia nodded slightly and began to sip the ginger soup. Amanda watched her drink and couldnât help but nag about her getting a chill from going out alone, âYou see, I told you not to go out by yourself. I knew your body couldnât take the cold, and lo and behold... Just donât get sick again, itâs rough on you.â
Sophia didnât respond. In fact, she hardly heard what Amanda was saying. She was too spaced out, her mind fixated on that WhatsApp message from âBrandon.â Her mind was still empty, but that sour, bitter emotion lingered.
Seeing Sophia zone out again, Amanda didnât make a peep, knowing Sophia often did this. As long as she wasnât suddenly in tears and distracted, it wasnât a big deal to her. She silently picked up the foot bath that Sophia hadnât gotten around to pouring out and took it to the washroom.
Sophia was oblivious, mechanically sipping her ginger soup until it was gone and the bowl was taken from her hands. Then she came to her senses and looked up at Amanda instinctively.
âHit the hay, you canât afford to stay up with your health,â Amanda advised. Sophia quietly nodded, thanked her, exchanged goodnights, put down her phone, and went to bed.
Though she lay down, she felt anything but sleepy, just a hollow feeling inside.
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Kent noticed Brandon staring at his phone, lost in thought, but the notification for the WhatsApp friend request wasnât coming through. He couldnât help but say to Brandon, âMaybe the designerâs turned in for the night. Plus, itâs Sunday, and thatâs a work number; might not be online.â
Brandon glanced at him, silent, his gaze shifting to the design sketches on the table. âYou should head back,â he said.
Kent nodded, âYou should get some rest too.â
Brandon didnât reply, his eyes still glued to the design sketches on the computer desk, then to the investigative documents he brought in, and slowly moved to the WhatsApp heâd recommended, his gaze fixed on that unconfirmed WhatsApp contact.
Kent knew Brandon was feeling rough. When he received the email from President Poe with Arleneâs information, he felt rough too. He didnât linger, leaving after a few words of caution.
Brandon stayed in his study all night, staring at those design sketches and that WhatsApp contact that wouldnât confirm.
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Sophia barely slept all night, only dozing off as dawn approached, and then slept until ten in the morning. When she woke up, her cold symptoms hadnât eased; they had worsened, and her throat was hoarse. Her post-injury body was like a wreck, with immunity at rock bottom, unable to withstand the slightest chill or sleep deprivation.
Accepting her fate, Sophia stepped out to buy medicine, and as she opened her door, she saw Clark hurrying towards the elevator behind Harvey Ferber. As Clark walked, he reported in a low voice to Harvey Ferber, âMs. Brightâs resume has been sent over to Kent under President Poeâs name.â
Sophia frowned slightly, puzzled by the connection between Clark, Harvey Ferber, and President Poe. But Clark and Harvey Ferber had already entered the elevator, their conversation cut off by the closing doors. Sophia reluctantly turned her gaze back and headed for the elevator.
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The Indifferent Ex-Husband: Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate ï¤Chapter 599 The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus)
ï¤Chapter 590 Forgive Us, My Dear Sister ï¤Chatper 494 Harvey Ferber listened to Clarkâs report with an unreadable expression. Clark looked confused, âMr. Ferber, why let Brandon know about Ms. Brightâs existence? If he finds out youâre looking for Ms. Bright, wonât he use that against you?â
âAs long as we find her, what do I care if heâs got something on me,â Harvey Ferber said indifferently.
Clark gave him a look, âThen why the heck did you send Ms. Brightâs info under President Poeâs name to them?â
That was the part he just couldnât wrap his head around. The résumé of Arlene that President Poe had sent to Kent was actually because Harvey Ferber had someone hack into President Poeâs email and forward it to Kent. He couldnât fathom what Harvey Ferber was up to.
Harvey Ferber wasnât in the mood to spill the beans, just coolly hit him with a, âYou donât need to know.â
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Brandon was glued to his phone, checking WhatsApp with a furrowed brow. The friend request he sent out last night was still hanging in limbo.