Chapter 447



You’ve done everything you could. Remember, no one would dare harm our grandfather. He’ll be alright. Let’s keep this within us. No need to alarm the Nixon family or my father just yet. I’ll handle the arrangements. Trust that all will be well.”

Kallie understood Ewing intended to reassure her. She recognized the gravity of the situation. The Nixon family remained oblivious to Tyrone’s disappearance, maintaining their facade of normalcy. She could imagine the immense pressure Ewing must be under.

While Kallie was deep in thought, Sophie was blissfully unaware of the grown-ups’ concerns, joyfully engaging with other children by the sea, where they built sandcastles with great enthusiasm.

“Mommy! Mommy!” Sophie rushed over, clutching Kallie’s hand with excitement sparkling in her eyes. “Look at my castle! Isn’t it beautiful? All the other kids think it’s awesome!”

Kallie glanced up, genuinely surprised. Sophie had constructed a sandcastle remarkably similar to their villa in Burma. While not an exact replica, the resemblance was striking.

“You’re remarkable,” Kallie praised Sophie, masking her astonishment as she stroked Sophie’s hair. “Do you remember what our house looks like?”

“Yes!” Sophie replied brightly. “When I was building, the image of our house just came to me.”

Kallie couldn’t help feeling a swell of pride. She hadn’t expected Sophie to inherit her knack for craftsmanship.

“Do you enjoy making models?” Kallie inquired.

Sophie frowned slightly and shook her head. “What do you like then?” Kallie asked gently.

Again, Sophie shook her head. “I don’t know.”

“Don’t worry. Take your time. When you figure out what you like, just let me know. It’s fine even if you don’t,” Kallie reassured Sophie, wanting her to feel no pressure. Sophie’s happiness was what mattered most.

Suddenly, their peaceful seaside ambiance was disrupted. Kallie and Sophie turned to see the sandcastle Sophie had lovingly crafted crash into pieces. A chubby boy stood by the ruined castle, his chin lifted defiantly. “Don’t make ugly things like that. They’re annoying,” he declared.

Kallie, taking Sophie’s hand, approached the boy calmly. “Did you destroy the sandcastle? Why would you do that to someone else’s hard work?” she questioned.

The boy replied with impatience, evidently underestimating Kallie, “I didn’t like it, so I stomped on it. So what?”

Observing his rude demeanor, Kallie felt no inclination to be polite anymore. With a deceptively sweet smile, she grabbed his collar. Despite Kallie’s slight build, her grip was firm; her time studying abroad had included combat training.

The boy’s confidence waned as he struggled in vain. “Let go! Let me go!” he yelled.

No one intervened, having seen his actions clearly. Kallie’s voice was icy. “When you learn some manners, I’ll let you go.”

The boy’s face flushed with frustration and imminent tears, but he ceased shouting. Kallie set him down on the sand and nudged him. “Apologize to her.”

The boy glared up at Kallie, his defiance still simmering. “Why?”

“It seems you need another lesson,” Kallie remarked, her smile chilling.

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