Chapter 281

S31 24. Set a Strategy

“I’m a little curious,” Jeremy folded his arms in detective-style. “How could Sophia ask you two to talk?”

“She said she overheard Auntie’s words.”

“Me?” Barbara stared wide eyed, pointing at herself.

Louis nodded. “About Auntie’s regret if Philip fails to claim his prize. Sophia thinks that if our relationship with Grandma is bad, Philip’s mission could be hampered. Auntie will be sad if that happens.”

“Sophia also said that she could help us if she knew more clearly about the mission,” Emily added.

Frank took a deep breath, and so did the people by his side.

“Everything is clear now. She must have deliberately provoked the children to talk so that Grandma would misunderstand,” Philip said in

a low tone.

“Does it mean Sophia is evil? She’s our enemy?” Emily pressed her forehead with her eyebrows.

Louis’ cheeks puffed up. “She claimed to be a friend, but it turns out, she trapped us. I should have not trusted her. Should we give her a lesson, Daddy?”

“Louis?” Kara stroked her son’s head. “Your words are not nice.”

Louis bit his lip. “Sorry, Mommy. But I’m annoyed.”

“But Louis has a point. We do need to teach her a lesson, but not now. It seems she has information that we don’t know.” Frank shrugged.

“Yes, we don’t know yet what makes Grandma so sensitive, especially

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towards Kara. Luckily my sister-in-law is the most patient person,’ Barbara grumbled.

“So, what should we do, Daddy?” Emily blinked tensely.

“And what about Grandma? She has kicked Philip out. Can we still stay here?” Louis pointed his finger at the floor.

Frank considered it for a moment. Then, he turned slightly. “Philip, do you want to leave now?”

Philip shook his head. “I don’t want to leave before clearing up her misunderstanding.”

Frank nodded. “Kids, can you neglect this problem for a while? Let’s just say, you don’t know anything.”

“Is that mean we still have to be friends with Sophia? But she’s mean, Daddy.” Louis widened his eyes.

“You don’t have to be close friends. Just saying hello or having a brief chat is fine. The important thing is that she doesn’t suspect that her crime has been revealed.”

“Sophia has promised to teach Louis to ride when the equipment arrives. Should Louis cancel that plan?”

Louis glanced at Emily in horror. “Of course I have to cancel it. Sophia’s words can’t be trusted. She said horse riding was safe, but something undesirable could happen.”

“But if you cancel it, she might get suspicious.”Emily’s whisper sounded shrill.

“Then, I will play an act. When she tells me to get on the horse, I’ll pretend to be scared.” Louis shrank his body until his back arched.

Frank smiled at his son’s behavior. That’s fine too. Do what you can, Kids. Now, how about you have breakfast? Mommy will accompany

you.”

Kara nodded and took the twins’ hands. “You can’t be late for

breakfast.”

“Daddy and the others aren’t coming?” Emily furrowed her brows.

“Daddy still has something to discuss, Princess.”

“Oh, I know,” Louis said in a lazy tone. “That must be an adult’s business. The children shouldn’t hear, so Daddy asked us to hurry up and have breakfast.”

Emily elbowed her brother’s arm. “Why did you sound like you’re not happy, Louis? Remember, this problem could have happened because of us. We’re not allowed to interfere in adult matters anymore.”

Emily’s scolding broke the tension. She made everyone laugh, including Louis.

“Okay,” the boy smiled mischievously and put his arm around his younger sister’s shoulders, “no need to frown like that. Let’s have breakfast. We need a lot of energy to be secret agents. Mommy, come on!”

While Kara accompanied the twins, Frank smiled wryly. In his heart, he felt both annoyed and pitiful.

“How dare Sophia use my children in her evil plans,” he muttered faintly.

“She really doesn’t have a heart,” Barbara said, folding her arms across her chest.

“Then what’s your plan, Frank?”

Frank glanced at Jeremy. “Let’s start by getting information about her. Once we have the ace card, then we can determine which

scenario to carry out.”

***

An hour passed, Diana finally fell asleep. Sophia got up from the edge of the bed. Carrying the empty glass and plate, she left the room.

“They want to rely on Philip?”

Remembering how angry Diana had been, she sneered.

“I’ve warned you, I’m the only person who can help. You don’t believe me, Frank. Now let’s see whether you will still refuse my help or not.”

Smiling in victory, Sophia went into the dining room. Her stomach had been churning

However, seeing Frank on the back porch, ever s

she stopped.

“What is he doing there?”

Sophia moved closer to the window pane. Apparently, Frank was busy reading documents on his tablet.

“He’s working? Alone?”

Little by little, Sophia’s smile curved perfectly. Wasting no time, sh

put the plate into the sink then brewed tea for him.

“Hey, where are the others?” Sophia passed through the door while stirring the tea in a cup.

Frank lowered the tablet onto the table. “In the stable. How is

Grandma?” His expression was serious.

Sophia took the seat next to Frank. “Better. Her blood pressure has improved. She’s sleeping now.”

“Thank God,” Frank sighed, raising the eyebrows. “I really don’t

understand what made her so angry. We are lucky that you are here for her.”

Sophia tried to control her expression. However, the corners of her

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lips could not lie. She enjoyed seeing Frank’s desperation.

“I’m glad I could help. And yes, we’re lucky that Grandma opened up to

me.”

Frank nodded. Gazing off into the distance, he let the silence hang.

“By the way, would you like some tea? I haven’t drunk it yet because it’s too hot. Or do you want me to make you some more?”

Frank blinked firmly. Even though he was playing a role, he still didn’t like receiving Sophia’s attention. “Kara is the one who likes tea, not

me.”

The curve of Sophia’s lips froze for a moment. With stiff movements, she placed the cup on the table. “Do you prefer coffee? Shall I make

it?”

Before Frank could answer, Sophia had moved from her chair. In just a few moments, she returned with another cup.

“Here is special coffee for you, Mr. Harper.”

Frank did his best to suppress the furrow of his brows. “Thank you.

“You’re welcome.” Pride radiated clearly from Sophia’s eyes. “So, how is Philip? Grandma scolded him too hard earlier.”

Frank almost snorted. “Philip… he’s a tough guy. Things like that won’t bother him. He’s just curious about why Grandma was so sensitive about the apartment. You already know the problem, right?”

Sophia nodded innocently. “Yes, Grandma told me that over and over again.”

“So you also know the reason?”

Sophia bit her lip. Her face was worried. “Yes.”

“Can you tell me?”

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Sophia’s brows furrowed deeper. “Sorry, Frank. I have no right to tell you. I can only mediate-”

“That wouldn’t work if I didn’t know her point of view. So, please… tell

me.”

Frank looked at Sophia closely. The woman was stunned to see his gray beads.

“Sorry, Frank. I didn’t dare.”

“Please, Sophia. Only you understand this.”

Sophia gaped, frozen in doubt. “I….”

“If you are willing to help me, I will make whatever your wishes come

true.”