Chapter 6

"I want to use matching items with you, though." Jason started trying to sweet-talk Sophie. He pulled out his phone and said, "I'm going to buy new ones right now."

She didn't say anything. No matter how many of them he bought, she would throw them all away!

…

Breakfast was ready, but Sophie couldn't stomach eating at the same table as Jason and Geraldine. She didn't have anything before heading to the hospital to have her dressing changed.

Jason originally wanted to go with her, but he changed his mind the moment Geraldine said that she wanted him to stay. He had the bodyguards go with Sophie instead.

She didn't want him anywhere near her, but hearing him choose Geraldine over her without the slightest hesitation still made her feel bitter. She'd never doubted true love, but true love could also change in an instant.

When Sophie arrived at the hospital, she entered a private consultation room where Dr. Matthew Roux changed her bandages.

She asked him a little nervously, "How long will it take for my vision to be fully restored?"

She wasn't in complete darkness anymore, but she could only vaguely see bits of light.

"That depends on the individual, but it'll happen gradually—maybe about one to three months. You must be patient, Ms. Walker," Matthew said.

"Alright." She nodded.

She'd already been stuck in the dark for two years, so one to three months wasn't considered long for her. She could wait.

Sophie needed to stay for observation after having the bandages changed. Matthew left to attend to something else, so she was alone in the consultation room.

Soon, she heard a muffled conversation on the other side of the door. Then, footsteps rang out. Two people entered the room and stopped before her.

She said, "Thank you for arranging all of this, Mr. Halston."

"Mr. Halston isn't here." After a few seconds, a male voice she didn't recognize rang out.

Sophie smiled faintly and said confidently, "He's right beside you, though. Isn't he?"

"Why would you say that, Ms. Walker?"

"I heard two people enter the room, but Dr. Roux's footsteps were not one of them," she explained patiently. "Mr. Halston was around on the day of my surgery, and I remember the smell of his cologne. I just smelled it. Also, I understood the conversation you had with Dr. Roux outside the room."

Oliver's assistant, Malcolm Jones, turned to Oliver in astonishment after hearing Sophie's words. She was smarter than he'd thought!

"You're not completely dumb." Oliver finally spoke up. His voice was crisp and pleasant on the ears, but his tone was still aloof and distant.

Sophie wasn't too happy with his comment, but she decided not to hold it against him. He was the person George had sent to help her, and he had indeed done her a huge favor.

Remembering what Jason and Geraldine had talked about the night before, Sophie hesitated briefly before deciding to test Oliver. She asked, "Mr. Halston, are you working with Rivervale's Gray Corporation on anything lately?"

She wanted to confirm whether the "Mr. Halston" Jason and Geraldine had mentioned was Oliver.

At Sophie's words, Malcolm glanced at Oliver. This matter wasn't a trade secret, but it also wasn't something one could just ask about as and when they liked.

He only dared speak when he didn't see any change in Oliver's expression. "Why do you ask, Ms. Walker?"

"My soon-to-be ex-husband is from Gray Corporation. I'm sure you're aware of that, Mr. Halston."

"Halston Group and Gray Corporation are indeed in talks about something. Do you want to use your connection with the Walker family to have Halston Group call off this cooperation with Gray Corporation, Ms. Walker?" Malcolm asked.

His expression turned grim. "I'm sorry, but Halston Group has always acted fairly and justly. We will not forgo our principles and beliefs because of some connections."

"That's not what I meant." Sophie wasn't offended by his words. "I just wanted to remind Mr. Halston to make sure that a thorough background check is conducted on your business partners. It's much too easy to lose everything if they suddenly fall from grace."

Oliver had helped her, so she didn't want the Halston family to suffer from her actions.

Oliver didn't say anything, but his gaze darkened. He knew this meant Sophie was ready to launch her attack on Jason.

Even without her warning, he wouldn't have chosen to work with Gray Corporation. However, his impression of her improved slightly because of her proactive reminder.

"Your uncle, Patrick Walker, said he wants to have a meal with you." Oliver finally told Sophie his reason for being there that day.

Sophie instantly felt nervous. George had called her every day since she'd called him, so she knew that all the Walkers couldn't wait to have her home with them. Still, she couldn't help feeling anxious because they were strangers.

Despite her nerves, she still went for the meal.

As she followed Oliver into a private room, she felt a hand land on her shoulder.

"You're just like her. You're like her twin! I knew you resembled Trish when I saw photos of you, but it's uncanny now that I'm seeing you in person." Patrick was so agitated that he became choked up.

He was the first person to say that Sophie looked like Tricia after her death. Sophie couldn't help feeling saddened upon hearing something like that after four years.

Patrick enthusiastically brought Sophie to her seat before bombarding her with questions. She felt a little ill at ease, but she was more moved than anything else.

She'd found her family again, and these people would love and care for her just as Tricia had. It was nice.

"What dishes do you usually go for, Soph?" Patrick finally remembered the meal after asking Sophie several questions. "I was so caught up in my joy that I forgot to order. I can't let you go hungry."

"I'm not picky. You can order whatever you like, Uncle Patrick." Sophie smiled. After a pause, she asked Oliver, "Is there anything you can't have, Mr. Halston?"

He hadn't said a word since they arrived at the private room, but she hadn't forgotten about him.

"I'm fine with anything," he said coolly.

Patrick looked between them meaningfully before laughing heartily. "You sure care about Oliver, Soph. I guess we don't need to worry about the engagement since you two get along so well."

"What engagement?" Sophie was taken aback.

Oliver frowned slightly but didn't say anything.

"Your engagement to Oliver." Patrick laughed again. "The Walker and Halston families set this ages ago, but…"

He trailed off and waved dismissively. "Forget it. Let's not talk about that. Now's the time to eat."

Though he hadn't finished his sentence, Sophie could guess what he wanted to say. However, she'd already married Jason. Even after divorcing him, she didn't think this engagement between the Walkers and Halstons would fall into her lap.

So, she didn't take this matter to heart.

After the meal, they sat there and chatted for a while longer before leaving.

Outside the restaurant, Fiona reached out to hold Sophie so she could help her into the car as she always did. But before they could get to it, they heard someone cry, "Watch out for that car!"

Almost immediately, Fiona gripped Sophie's arm tightly and yanked her back. She lost her balance and staggered a few steps back, almost falling to the ground.

At the same time, a car hurtled past where she'd been standing. Its engine roared loudly. If not for Oliver's timely warning and Fiona's quick thinking, the car would've sent Sophie flying!

"Are you okay, Soph?" Patrick ran to Sophie, looking panicked.

She nodded. She couldn't see, so she had no idea how dangerous things had been and wasn't too frightened.

The car had already disappeared into traffic. Everyone treated this as an accident, so no one thought of digging deeper.

Oliver was the only one who remained where he was as he stared in the direction the car had gone. Then, he told Malcolm to investigate it.