Chapter 57
Chapter 57
After Heather left, Howard returned to his usual self. “Did you get it all recorded?”
Xavier nodded.
Howard extended his hand. “Let me see.”
Xavier handed over the phone but suddenly pulled it back, his grip tightening.
Howard’s expression darkened. Xavier hesitated before blurting out, “Mr. Chandler, you’re not seriously thinking of posting this online, are you?”
Howard stared at him, his silence heavy and intimidating.
Realizing he had guessed correctly, Xavier panicked and quickly added, like that.”
od to focus on recovering. No social media, no posts, nothing
Howard’s face twisted with anger. “Hand it over.”
Xavier clutched the phone tightly, his voice trembling. “If Alfred finds out, I’m dead meat.”
Howard exploded in fury. “Alfred? Who does he think he is? Without me, he’s nothing, Give me
the video now.”
Alfred arrived after receiving Xavier’s message. Just as he reached the door, Howard’s furious voice echoed through the room. Alfred paused briefly, then opened the door and stepped inside.
“Howard.” Alfred’s face darkened.
Ever since meeting Sophia, her words had been stuck in his head, making him feel like something was off. Alfred used to ignore his coughing, but after that, he started paying attention and realized just how bad it was.
Hoping to ease his mind, he went for a check–up, only to be hit with devastating news, stage two lung cancer. The moment he saw the results, it felt like his entire world had collapsed.
“Alfred.” Xavier’s eyes lit up as he rushed over, like he’d just found a lifeline.
Howard froze for a moment when he saw Alfred and then sneered, “What are you doing here? I thought I was dead to you. After all, the events I can’t attend are handed over to Darnell and the others.”
Alfred’s face was etched with exhaustion. Ignoring Howard’s sarcasm, he took Xavier’s phone and started playing the recorded video.
After he watched it, his expression turned grim.
Alfred’s voice was sharp with disapproval. “You had Xavier record this to show your fans, so they’d attack Sophia?
“Do you even realize what you’re putting her through? Do you know what ki
of people your fans are?”
Howard, unable to get out of bed, slammed his fist against the mattress with a dull thud, his face twisted in rage. “Why the hell should I care about her? If it weren’t for sheer luck, I’d already be dead.
“Whatever happens to her, she deserves it. You’re my agent. Why aren’t you helping me? What did that bitch Sophia promise you? Money? Fame? Or are you two just cozying up behind my back?”
“Howard, that’s enough.” Alfred’s patience snapped. He didn’t want to argue anymore and moved to delete the video.
Howard sneered, “Go ahead, delete it. I can just record another one. Once I’ve made up my mind, no one can stop me.”
Alfred’s hand hovered over the phone but never pressed down. In the end, he handed it back to Xavier.
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Chapter 57
Howard was right. Deleting the video wouldn’t change anything. He could always make another one,
Alfred’s chest tightened as another fit of coughing wracked his body. Xavier quickly poured him a glass of water.
But Howard, as if oblivious, continued with his biting remarks. “Oh, here we go again. Alfred, if you’re really sick, just go get treated. Stop clinging to work. It’s not like you’re the only agent in the company.”
Alfred took the glass but didn’t drink. He stared at Howard’s arrogant face and said, “Alright, if that’s what you want, I won’t stop you.
“You’re right. I am nothing without you. I can’t stop you and I don’t have the strength to clean up after you arrymore. You’re on your own. He handed the glass back to Xavier, turned around, and walked away without a trace of hesitation.
Howard was stunned. He shouted at Alfred’s retreating figure, “Alfred, what the hell do you mean by that? Get back here and explain yourself.”
Yandel wasn’t waking up anytime soon. Yvonne, worried about leaving Mira alone, decided to stay and keep her company.
Sophia hadn’t planned on sticking around the hospital, but the thought of Yvette swooping in to claim all the credit made her pause. No way was she letting that happen.
Thankfully, around five in the afternoon, Yandel stirred awake. Sophia stood by his bedside, looking down at him with a raised eyebrow. “Do you remember who we are?” she asked.
Yandel’s gaze briefly flicked to her before settling on Mira. “Grandma,” he called out weakly, his voice barely audible.
Mira’s face lit up with a mix of tears and relief. “Larry, how are you feeling? Does your head hurt? Are you hungry?”
Yandel didn’t respond immediately. Even his usually clear voice now carried a hint of complexity.
Sophia raised an eyebrow. “Now that you’re awake, you should know it was us wholly
benefactor’s face, alright?”
saved you and Mira. I even paid the medical bills. Don’t forget your
Yandel didn’t say a word. He hadn’t regained his memory yet, and the fog in his mind made it hard to think straight.
Sophia didn’t linger. She grabbed Yvonne by the arm and walked out.
“I’m sorry, Sophia,” Yvonne apologized as soon as they stepped out of the room.
What was supposed to be a simple food delivery for Mira had turned into a much bigger ordeal, and she felt bad for wasting Sophia’s time.
Sophia could see the guilt written all over Yvonne’s face. “I’m craving coffee. You’re treating me, right?” she said casually.
Yvonne chuckled and nodded. “Of course. Whatever you want, it’s on me.”
As they left the hospital, Yvonne even ordered takeout for Mira and Yandel.
The two got back to the city, and it was already past five.
Yvonne thought coffee wasn’t cutting it. “Sophia, how about some barbecue?”
Sophia had never eaten out before since she didn’t have any pocket money. “Sure,” she said.
Yvonne grinned, “I know a pedestrian street with tons of great food. Want to check it out?”
Sophia wasn’t familiar with these places, so she just went along with Yvonne
The area was packed with people, and cars couldn’t get through. The two strolled over, sipping their coffee as they walked.
**** FN, 30 May G
Chapter 57
CBG
Tugene knew the area well and pointed out the best spots that were both tasty and affordable.
procena tand with a laugh, “When I was Ettle, I loved eating here so much. Every time we passed by, I’d cling to my parents and whine that I couldn’t walk
“Later, my parents started bringing me and my brother here every Sunday. After my brother went to college in the south, i started eating his share too.”
Yeone’s face lit up as she spoke, clearly a kid who had been spoiled by her parents.
Sophia didn’t say much. She took a bite of the barbecue and paused, her eyes lighting up at the surprisingly good flavor.
Sophia ended up dragging Yvonne from one end of the street to the other, sampling food until they were stuffed. They finally sat by the roadside, sipping lemon water to digest.
Yvonne patted her round belly. “Sophia, I promised to treat you, didn’t, 17′′
But in the end, Sophia had paid for most of it.
Sophia asked, “Was it worth it?
Yvonne nodded, locking a bit embarrassed. “I feel bad you hart to spend so much.*
Sophia chuckled, “Wins the file money you’ve got? just save it for coffee.*
After they sted for a while, the sky darkened, and the sweettights lit up. The two strailed leisurely down the sidewalk.
As they passed a bar, Sophia saw a tall woman with long hair stapping out her set dress was catching everyone’s eye, and two guys were right behind
The men caught Sophine and come glancing that way and mastiutely bakert, “What are you looking at? Mind your own business and scram.” With that, they hallowed the woman are a murity atwy
“Sophia,” Kumeme sporeduty fugging of the save, these two man just now…
Before she could finish, a disporate stream for help extort from the alay
市
Yvonne knew the area well and pointed out the best spots that were both tasty and affordable.
Yvonne said with a laugh, “When I was little, I loved eating here so much. Every time we passed by, I’d cling to my parents and whine that couldn’t wa
anymore.
“Later, my parents started bringing me and my brother here every Sunday. After my brother went to college in the south, I started eating hit share too.
Yvonne’s face lit up as she spoke, clearly a kid who had been spoiled by her parents.
Sophia didn’t say much. She took a bite of the barbecue and paused, her eyes lighting up at the surprisingly good flavor.
Sophia ended up dragging Yvonne from one end of the street to the other, sampling food until they were stuffed. They finally sat by the roadside, sipping lemon water to digest.
Yvonne patted her round belly. “Sophia, I promised to treat you, didn’t I?”
But in the end, Sophia had paid for most of it.
Sophia asked, “Was it worth it?”
Yvonne nodded, looking a bit embarrassed. “I feel bad you had to spend so much.”
Sophia chuckled, “With the little money you’ve got? Just save it for coffee.”
After they rested for a while, the sky darkened, and the streetlights lit up. The two strolled leisurely down the sidewalk.
As they passed a bar, Sophia saw a tall woman with long hair stepping out. Her red dress was catching everyone’s eye, and two guys were right behind
her.
The men caught Sophia and Yvonne glancing their way and immediately barked, “What are you looking at? Mind your own business and scram.” With that, they followed the woman into a nearby alley.
“Sophia,” Yvonne whispered nervously, tugging at her sleeve, “those two men just now…”
Before she could finish, a desperate scream for help echoed from the alley.
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