Chapter 63
My love for you is as profound as your love for Sophia.
You could never have her.
I can never have you.
So if you ask me what I want.
I only ask for a chance to stay by your side.
Her voice was soft as water.
Her eyes brimmed with sincerity and obvious humility.
Ethan felt a string in his heart plucked gently.
He promised solemnly, "Don't worry. I will take good care of you from now on. I won't let you get hurt again."
Isabella's lips curved into a slight smile.
She nestled into his embrace.
One arm wrapped tightly around his waist.
Her voice was sweet as honey. "I know. I've always trusted you."
Ethan tightened his arm around her.
Yet his heart felt inexplicably heavy.
For no apparent reason.
...
Such a serious accident occurred at the event site.
Hotel staff rushed over to handle the aftermath as quickly as possible.
Since it involved personal safety.
The person in charge directly called the police.
That very night, the police came to question everyone involved.
As expected.
They found out nothing.
In the end, they could only classify the incident as an accident.
After all, this was a tropical region.
There was a primeval forest right behind the hotel.
Snakes appearing was not unusual.
But a venomous snake? That's not so common, right?" Olivia spoke coldly.
The police were momentarily speechless.
"And it appeared on a crowded beach."
"That's even less common, isn't it?"
The police exchanged glances.
The hotel manager was also stumped on the spot.
Olivia let out a cold laugh. "This is the second time."
"My friend's life has been threatened twice on this island."
"Just wait. This isn't over!"
"Sophia, let's go!"
She finished, took Sophia's hand, and strode away.
"Alright, calm down. It's not worth it." Sophia advised softly once they were away from the crowd.
"You were almost hurt and you're this calm?!"
"It's like the emperor isn't worried, but the eunuch is frantic!"
Sophia smiled faintly. "Winning or losing isn't about a single argument."
"What do you mean? Do you have a plan?"
Sophia shook her head. "No."
Olivia: "..."
These repeated incidents were truly worrying.
What if something else happens...
Sophia, however, said, "I do have a plan for that."
"What plan?" Olivia blinked.
"Guess."
...
After all the drama and the scare.
Neither of them had eaten much.
Only now did they feel hungry.
They went straight to the restaurant for a full meal.
After eating, Olivia received a phone call.
She went off on a date, looking utterly delighted.
After leaving the restaurant, Sophia didn't return to her accommodation.
Instead, she walked north along the coastline.
After about five minutes.
Scattered lights formed a string-like line.
A scent wafted from afar.
It was a slightly pungent aroma of spices.
Like braising spices?
They eat braised food in the Maldives?
Sophia followed the scent to a shop front.
She looked up.
The three characters for "Taste of Home" in regular script came into view.
Opened by a Chinese person?
She pushed the door open.
Expecting a restaurant.
She found it was an antique shop.
The shop owner was braising chicken feet.
No wonder it smelled so good.
The shop was not big.
You could see everything at a glance.
Shelves lined all four walls.
Except for the shelf by the door which held antiques.
The others were all sorts of strange little trinkets.
Suddenly, a small sculpture, serious yet somewhat cute, caught Sophia's attention.
It was smaller than a palm.
But the craftsmanship was exquisite.
Every detail, from the folds on the shirt to the gold-rimmed glasses on the bridge of the nose, was lifelike.
Seeing she was Chinese, the owner became more enthusiastic. "You have a good eye, young lady. I made all these sculptures by hand. They'd make great gifts to take back home."
Sophia smiled and asked the price. "Okay, please wrap this up for me."
"Sure thing!" The owner packaged it and put a postcard into the bag. "If there's anything you want to say but can't find the words, just write it on this."
Sophia pursed her lips.
She initially wanted to refuse.
But it was a kind gesture, and it would be rude to decline.
Returning to her room and finishing her shower.
She saw the gift bag on the table.
She walked over and pulled out the postcard.
It depicted the most beautiful sea view in the Maldives.
She tossed it casually onto the table.
She wouldn't need it anyway.
...
Early the next morning.
Sebastian arrived at the restaurant right on time.
He circled around but didn't see Sophia.
Only Olivia was there eating breakfast.
A cup and a salad sat on the table.
"Morning, Sebastian!" Olivia greeted him with a proactive smile. "I've seen you circle three times, always looking my way. Want to have breakfast together?"
Sebastian raised an eyebrow.
He genuinely pulled out the chair and sat opposite her.
"Good morning, Miss Lopez."
"Morning."
Sebastian glanced at her cup. "That milk looks good."
"This is soy milk."
...
Awkward.
Olivia took a sip from her cup. "Do you have something to say, Sebastian?"
Sebastian dropped the pretense and got straight to the point. "Where's Sophia? I haven't seen her."
"Do you need her for something?"
"Can't I look for her without a reason?"
Olivia was both angry and amused. "Are you finance guys all this free at the end of the year?"
She had sensed something was off since Sebastian appeared on the island.
His various attempts to chat up and court Sophia in the following days.
His intentions couldn't be more obvious.
You could hear his scheming all the way back home!
Sebastian: "Not free. Very busy."
"Then how do you have time to come here on vacation?"
"Naturally, it's because there's someone here I want to see."
At this point, beating around the bush was pointless.
Olivia put down her fork, her smile fading as she sat up straight. "What are your true intentions towards Sophia? If I remember correctly, you and Ethan are supposed to be good brothers, right?"
Sebastian: "Every gentleman desires a fair lady. The intentions behind that are far too many to list, and not easily spoken of."
Olivia: "..."
"As for me and Ethan, we've fallen out."
Olivia: "I can see that. Because of Sophia?"
Sebastian remained silent.
Which was almost a confirmation.
"Haha..." Olivia couldn't help but laugh. "Serves him right! That bastard Ethan. It's high time someone shameless came along to put him in his place!"
Sebastian: "? Where are your manners?"
Olivia finished laughing, drank the last of her soy milk, and wiped her mouth. "Alright, I see. Then I wish you...early success in winning the fair lady?"
"I'll take that as a good omen." Sebastian nodded slightly.
"Then enjoy your meal. I'm off first."
"Wait, you haven't told me where the fair lady is."
Olivia checked her watch. "At this time, she should be... boarding her flight?"
Sebastian: "??"
Actually, even Olivia was surprised that Sophia's plan was to return home.
"You can't stay on guard forever. Since this island doesn't agree with me, I'll just go back home!"