Revenge is best served cold

Chapter 1386

Sophie blinked her eyes open, caught in the warm embrace of a lazy summer afternoon.

"Is this... my brother's place?" she wondered, a bit dazed.

Reality slowly trickled in, and Sophie jolted up from the rocking chair, her gaze fixed on the swing set nearby. It felt like she'd been dreaming.

"Ms. Sophie," a voice called out, snapping her back to the present. "The gentleman's wondering why you haven't changed yet. It's your eighteenth birthday today, after all. Quite the occasion!"

"Oh no, I dozed off!" Sophie gasped, suddenly remembering. "My brother's going to give me an earful!"

She dashed off, not bothering to pick a path. Rick, the ever-watchful assistant, called after her, "Ms. Sophie! Take it easy! Watch your step!"

"Got it!" she yelled back, lifting her dress and sneaking through the garden's back door.

The maids at Burke Estate paused, surprised to see her rushing by. She quickly gestured for silence, putting her fingers to her lips and whispering, "Please, ladies, cover for me! Don't say a word."

chuckled softly, turning away in unison as if they hadn't

the clear and started towards

you could sneak

Seriously, let go!"

Let's see how you wriggle out of this

along, while Sophie pleaded, "Ow!

you're getting impossible! When you were a kid, you'd always hang around our place. Now you're eighteen, and I'm the one setting everything up! I'm running around like crazy while you nap in the backyard.

"I didn't mean to..."

it! No more excuses for being lazy! I'll make sure my brother sets you

I swear I won't

her best pouty face,

"Did I really

eyes, then grinned mischievously. "Just a little

that, she