Everyone became sick with worry when Woody was lost earlier in the day. Later, Sean discovered that Woody had gone out to look for him alone after the former had made a call.
However, Madam Lewis saw today that Woody held a young ladyâs hand and addressed her as his son instead. âCooper, stay for the night since youâre rarely home.â
Sean interjected, âOld Master, Uncle Cooper has an important meeting to attend to in the evening and has classes as well tomorrow. Iâm afraid he wonât be free to stay overnight since heâs really busy.â
Although Woodyâs face was crestfallen, he still dragged Sophia into the house. âThen, just have a seat for a while!â
Upon entering the house, she scanned the interior of the living room and saw that the decor was dated but well-kept and cozy. It was obvious that he was in good hands.
Many photographs stood on a table in the living room and all appeared to be of the same person.
She thought, Thatâs probably Cooper!
It seemed that his mother was a foreigner, which made it obvious that he was a mixed race child from his featuresâsave for his ebony black hair, all his other facial features had resembled more of hers.
Sophia picked up a picture and stared at it curiously. Cooper seemed to be rather young in the pictureâ
at around eighteen or nineteen years oldâwith a bright and innocent face. As he leaned against a door frame, he looked buoyantly into the camera with a black rosary hanging on his chest.
At that time when the photo was taken, he most probably had already obtained two doctorate degrees and was the person in charge of the Mitchell Familyâs businesses!
Thereâs no way to tell that at all! Heâs also pretty good-looking and can totally be a model!
With that thought in mind, she picked up another picture in which he wore a black suit with a black top hot. On his nose bridge was a pair of gold-rimmed glasses, making his eyes appear wise and deep.
Some of his youth had already faded and he now looked a little more like a shrewd and experienced businessman. He looks exactly like a domineering president from a textbook!
The photo frame was transparent, so the words written on the back of the photo could be easily read.
âCooper, taken in the year 200x at age 25.â
Huh? This handwriting looks very familiar. I think Iâve seen it somewhere beforeâ¦
Stanley picked up one of Cooperâs pictures as well and compared it to Sophiaâs face, saying, âLook at this; there are similarities at the nose bridge, the eyebrows, and the look in the eyes. No wonder the Old Master mistook you for his son!â
Sophia had unwittingly knitted brows while being engrossed with the writing behind the picture. He exclaimed, âEven the way that they knit their brows are similar.â
Madam Lewis brought out some hot tea and snacks for everyone with enthusiasm. She took the opportunity to thank them when Woody went to search for something in his bedroom. âOld Master is always pulling this ruse. Thank you very much for bringing him home today.â
She was familiar with Sean and Stanley, considering that the latter was always around every time the former came to visit. Sophia and Nathan were the only ones whom she hadnât met before, so she asked in curiosity, âMay I ask who they are?â
Sean answered, âThis is Nate from Justinâs family and thatâs Sophia, his aunt. Nateâs now living with his uncle.â
At the mention of Justinâs name, Madam Lewis immediately understood and didnât ask any more questions.
They all sat down and enjoyed the snacks and tea until it was time for them to leave. Woody finally emerged from his room with a black necklace in his hand. âCooper, this is your amulet. Donât lose it and remember to wear it daily!â
It was a black amulet with the cross carved in obsidianâan obvious sign that it was meant for a man.
Cooperâs name was carved at the back and it was the same rosary that he had worn in the first picture Sophia saw.
As Woody gazed at the charm, he said to Sophia, âCooper, I got this amulet from a high priest before you were born. It will keep you safe and bless you in all your undertakings. Donât lose it again and wear it at all times, alright?â
Feeling the cross with her fingers, she wanted to return it, but when she saw the look Sean gave her, she decided to accept it for the time being.
In the blink of an eye, it was already 9.00PM and she was ready to return home. When she entered the car, she passed the rosary to him. âFind a chance to return this to its place.â
He kept it away and secretly returned it when Woody wasnât in his room before leaving the place.
Unexpectedly, Sophia received a call from Sean the next afternoon. âSophia, Old Master is missing again. Call me as soon as possible if he comes to look for you again!â
The old master is missing again?!
She anxiously called Hale and asked him to check at the security office where they found Woody yesterday. Sure enough, Hale had found him sitting at the security post, staring at the university doors while waiting for his son. No matter who came to persuade him, he wouldnât leave until his son came.
While trying to contact Sean, she rushed to the gates and Woody broke into a smile when he saw her from afar.
âCooper, howâs school today?â
âDad, why are you here again?â Sophia asked as she hurriedly supported his frail and trembling body.
The beach is so far away. Why did he come here? The roads are very busy along the way. What would I do if an accident happens?
With a grin, Woody fished out Cooperâs amulet from yesterday, saying, âCooper, you left your amulet at home. You can forget everything else but not the amulet, alright?â
Her heart sank when she realized that he had made the long trip, especially to send the amulet to her.
Her eyes stung, as though tears were about to stream down, as she took the amulet from him and replied, âOkay, Dad.â
Soon, Sean arrived to pick him up. As Woody walked away, he still held onto her hand and nagged, âDonât forget your amulet, Cooper! It will keep you safe and bless you in all your undertakings!â
âYes, Dad. I wonât forget it this time,â she answered with a nod.
After Sean had Madam Lewis take Woody home, he wouldnât accept the rosary from Sophia, even though she tried to return it again.
âThis rosary belonged to Cooper and he had never removed it, ever since he started to wear it as a young man. More than a decade ago, it was said that he took it off and forgot to bring it with him. Then, shortly after he left home, he met with an accident, leaving a mark on Old Masterâs heart as he kept thinking that Cooper only met with the accident because he forgot the rosary.
So, you should keep it for now!â Feeling the rosary between his fingers, he continued, âItâs said that this rosary has a spiritual power and everything was going well for Cooper when he was wearing it. So, many people wanted to get their hands on it after his death! Still, Old Master wouldnât give it to anyone and someone actually sneakily swapped it a few years ago.
The Old Master immediately realized it and demanded it from the doorstep of the thief with his walking stick in his hand! Iâve been his âsonâ for so many years, but he has never shown any intent on giving this rosary to me. The moment you appeared, he instantly gave it to you instead. This only illustrates that the rosary is fated to be yours, so, you should just keep it!â
As she held the amulet in her palm, she could feel the warmth from her hand heating it up. She thought that it wouldnât be a problem to keep it since it wasnât anything valuable. If she didnât Woody would walk dozens of miles yet again to give it to herâand that would be bad! So, she figured that she would temporarily keep it.
Cooper, youâre the ultimate form of a score wrecker! Maybe this will bring me some of the prodigyâs luck if I wear it. However, I donât think Michael will be very happy about this.