The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming

Chapter 713

Sierra exited her chat with Maggie and called Sophia.

"Hey, Sophia. Are you two coming back soon? I want to take you out for dinner."

"We're out shopping," Sophia replied. "Zachary and I are buying school and daily supplies for a few girls we're sponsoring."

She and Zachary were browsing through stationery. Sophia had decided to sponsor Lynette and the other two girls, providing them with a monthly allowance, clothing, school, and daily supplies.

Whether those girls would be grateful or turn out ungrateful in the future, she didn't know. She just wanted to do what was right in the present.

Zachary had said that a pound of help often turned into a burden of resentment. Human nature was fickle, hard to predict, and easily swayed. Finding a truly appreciative child was rare.

Lynette and the other two girls were grateful now, freshly freed from their shackles. But once they spent more time outside and experienced more of the world, who could say if that gratitude would last?

People were like that. Before they received something, they always wondered what they would do if they got it. But once it was in their hands, it was never enough.

That was why Zachary had insisted that they be clear from the start and had the girls sign a contract.

Their sponsorship wasn't unconditional. In return, the girls had to maintain good grades in school. If they failed to perform or acted out, the support would end.

They would be sent back to Coalmarsh or left to fend for themselves.

The girls signed without hesitation, promising again and again not to disappoint them.

Sophia didn't object to Zachary's approach. After all, Samuel had been the perfect cautionary tale.

Even though he and Sierra had lived abroad for years, Samantha had never stopped supporting them financially.

Sierra turned out okay. However, Samuel had turned into an ungrateful backstabber.

"Cee, do you want to come shop with us?" Sophia asked. "We'll grab a late-night snack afterward."

She dropped a pink notebook into the cart and added three more boxes of pens.

"Sure. Send me the address. I'll head over now."

"Alright."

up and sent Sierra the

texted back, told her parents at home she

didn't leave right away. They waited at the entrance

girls around them, most of whom had one in hand.

Sophia nodded. "Yes, please."

here. I'll go get

the smoothie stand while Sophia quietly stood in place, watching

a bit of a line, but she didn't mind.

T-shirt, jeans, and a pair of sneakers. His clean, short hair made him

to make sure Sophia was still

time he caught her gaze, he smiled, and she

of smiles, he kept his

the first to grow shy. She lowered

and couldn't

a while, but he finally got their

turned around with them,

"Hey, Sophia."

"Hi, Cee."

other

do charity work. What was the place like? And the girls

good kids. But it's hard to say what the future holds," Sophia said. "That's why Zachary had them sign a contract.

therapist. He always thinks things

are you getting married?" Sierra asked suddenly. "Mr. Holt looks at

Sophia's cheeks turned pink, and she felt the heat rising

sit on a nearby bench.

this one's

inserted a straw into the next

taking it without daring to

softly. "What were you two talking about?

sipped her smoothie. "Sophia, can I

Sophia answered immediately, shaking

won't let me say," Sierra said playfully. The smoothie was

left by Samuel began