Chapter 286

S31 29. Sophia’s Crying

Abigail’s heart ached. “Oh, Emily, why did you say that? If you guys go home now, how about the party? You said you wanted to celebrate New Year with your friends at the orphanage.”

“Yeah, but it’s a party. Everyone should have fun. Grandma can’t enjoy the party if we’re there. We’re the Harpers.”

Feeling sorry, Kara rubbed her daughter’s back. Seeing Louis pouting, she also stroked him.

“Don’t be sad, Little Angels. One day, Grandma will definitely realize. She just needs time to see the truth.

The twins looked down. They seemed to have difficulty dealing with disappointment. The others were thinking hard about finding a way out. However, just as silence fell, the sound of glass shattering caught their attention.

“Is that from Grandma’s room?” Abigail sighed with wide eyes.

Without warning, everyone got up from their chairs and went to check.

As soon as Abigail pushed the door, they could see scattered pieces. of plates and glasses. Sophia stood in the middle of it, completely unmoving. Both hands were still raised, as if holding something

invisible.

“Gosh! What happened?” Abigail stepped in carefully.

Others dared not enter. The wrinkles on Diana’s face and the

paleness on Sophia’s face were too terrible.

“Mommy, did Sophia and Grandma fight?” Emily looked up anxiously.

Kara could only shrug her shoulders. Her hands held the twins tighter,

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keeping them from getting any closer.

Suddenly, Diana pointed her finger at Sophia. “I told her I didn’t want to eat, but she kept insisting. Look at the consequences.”

Abigail sighed helplessly. “Okay, but you don’t need to break the plate and glass either, Grandma.”

“It was her own fault. She kept offering me the food, even though I had told her to take it out.”

Sophia blinked. While taking a deep breath, she gathered her senses.” Sorry, Grandma. I was afraid that you would get sick if you don’t eat,” she said quietly.

“I’ll actually get sicker if you keep forcing me. Never mind! Now get out! I want to rest.”

Sophia looked at the people around her with bated breath. She always prided herself and claimed to be Diana Johnson’s favorite person. But now, the old woman humiliated her.

“Sophia,” Abigail took her hand, “let’s go out. Let Grandma take a rest. If she’s hungry, she will definitely eat.”

Sophia sighed in resignation. With great difficulty, she tried to break the stiffness in her body.

“Be careful,” Abigail pulled Sophia.

Sophia finally looked down. After avoiding the broken glass, she

walked straight towards her room. The Harper family seemed invisible to her.

“Mommy, is Sophia crying?” Emily asked again.

“I think so. I saw tears in her eyes,” Louis pointed his finger, showing where Sophia’s sadness was gathering.

Meanwhile, Abigail returned with a dustpan and broom. “You guys…

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please continue your breakfast. I’ll follow after cleaning up this mess.”

“Let me do it.” Philip snatched the broom and dustpan from Abigail’s hands. “Maybe this could be an opportunity for me to get closer to Grandma again.”

However, a second later, the broom moved into Frank’s hand. “Just leave it to me. You’ve been kicked out before. I haven’t.”

“Are you sure you want to talk to Grandma? I don’t think the situation is right,” Abigail grimaced. The other women nodded in support of her statement.

“No,” Frank shook his head swiftly. “I don’t want to talk to Grandma. I just want to show that I actually care about her.”

Philip snapped his fingers. “That’s what I thought too.”

“Be careful, Daddy. If Grandma gets angry, you have to run outside quickly.”

Frank laughed at Emily’s advice. “Don’t worry, Princess. I have a weapon.”

Louis’ lips immediately pursed. “Is that really useful? Daddy couldn’t possibly hit Grandma with a broom.”

Frank chuckled again. “Not this, but this.” He held his chest. “Sincere intentions are the most powerful weapon. Now, pray for Daddy, hmm?

The twins nodded. With round eyes, they watched Frank knocked on the door which was actually not completely closed.

“Little Bees, let’s go to the dining room,” Kara whispered. The twins couldn’t help but leave their father.

Getting no answer, Frank finally pushed the door. “Excuse me.”

Diana, who was about to pretend to be asleep, spontaneously opened

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her eyes. Seeing Frank holding a broom, her brows furrowed. “What are you doing?”

“I want to clean up the shards.” Frank pointed at the floor with a glance.

Diana sighed in disbelief. In her entire life, this was the first time she had seen a Harper willing to do “a low job.”

“Do it quickly. I want to rest soon.”

Frank nodded awkwardly. Then, carefully, he gathered the shards to one point.

“Don’t you ever sweep?” Diana sounded curt.

Frank blinked. “This is my first time.”

“To gain my sympathy?”

Frank didn’t realize that Diana’s gaze was no longer sharp. He scratched his temple then scooped the shards into the dustpan.” Actually, I just want to know what it’s like to be around you.”

Diana was stunned to hear that answer. Her breath hitched and her hands clenched into fists. Her eyes felt hot against the urge from deep in her chest.

Frank continued, “I know that you hate me, hate my family. There’s no point in me trying to get your attention. It will only make you sick, right?”

Diana pursed her mouth. She was afraid that her regret would come out without any process.

“But if I may ask one thing,” Frank leaned the dustpan and broom against the wall then sat on the edge of the bed, “can I ask for your lenience for Louis and Emily?”

Frank’s gaze turned sad. Diana could see that.

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“They’re still too young. I can’t bear to see them treated harshly by anyone, let alone you. They came here full of enthusiasm. They even had a list of things they wanted to do with you.”

Taking a deep breath, Frank lowered his gaze. “But they have crossed out most of the list because it is impossible to make it real.”

Diana was touched by Frank’s words. Unknowingly, her eyes started to mist.

“Now,” Frank looked at Diana out of the corner of his pitiful eyes, “the only thing they want is to join the New Year party. But they’re afraid you won’t welcome their presence. So….”

Frank shifted closer. He wanted to take Diana’s hand. However, as hard as he could, he held back his intention.

“Can you let us stay until then? Can you invite my children or at least let them attend the party?”

Diana didn’t answer. Her throat was too dry. Her voice must be hoarse.

“Do you mind?” Frank raised an eyebrow.

Diana looked away, unable to lower her pride. Frank sighed helplessly. “Okay. Thank you for letting us stay until this moment.”

Frank got up from his position and continued his work. Once the floor was clean, he left without a word. Diana looked at his back with teary

eyes.

“What did he mean by that? Are they leaving today?”

Diana rubbed her chest, hoping the tightness would go away.

However, she became even more uncomfortable. 1

“What should I do now? What?” Her mind was too confused.

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