CHAPTER 294: CHAPTER 296: WHAT DO YOU WANT?

"Liar."

Sophie Sullivan jumped out of bed and strode out.

Thomas Shannon frowned, raising his hand to grab her. "Come back!"

Sophie Sullivan ignored him and left the room.

"Charlie River."

Thomas Shannon shouted.

Charlie River quickly entered. "Young Master, your orders?"

"Bring the maniac back to me."

"Yes, Young Master!"

Sophie Sullivan hadn’t gone far before Charlie River caught her, twisted her arms behind her back, and brought her back to Thomas Shannon’s room.

"Charlie, let me go! What on earth do you think you’re doing?"

Sophie Sullivan struggled the entire way. She must have stepped on Charlie River’s feet countless times, but he endured it all silently.

Charlie River escorted Sophie Sullivan into the room, bringing her to the bedside. "Young Master, I’ve brought the maniac back."

Thomas Shannon’s expression was grim. He nodded slightly. Charlie River understood, released Sophie Sullivan, and turned to leave.

The room door closed.

Sophie Sullivan glared at Thomas Shannon, walked over to the sofa in silence, and sat down, sulkily crossing her arms over her chest without a word.

"Upset?"

Thomas Shannon scratched Harry’s chin with one hand. Harry lazily opened his eyes, stretched his limbs, and gave a big yawn.

"MEOW."

Harry got up, left Thomas Shannon’s embrace, jumped off the bed, and came over to Sophie Sullivan’s side.

It tilted its head up at Sophie Sullivan, eyeing her as it cautiously approached step by step.

Sophie Sullivan said coldly, "Stay away from me."

"MEOW."

Harry innocently took two more steps closer.

"Meow again, and I’ll stew you into soup tonight."

"MEOW."

Harry tilted its head, its big, round eyes gazing intently at her.

Sophie Sullivan took a deep breath, her hand about to reach for Harry, when Thomas Shannon’s low voice interjected, "That’s enough. Don’t take it out on Harry."

Only then did she withdraw her outstretched hand.

Harry’s tail rose, flicked twice, and then he jumped into her lap, rubbing his furry little tabby head against her arm as if trying to curry favor.

Sophie Sullivan lowered her gaze, which unexpectedly met Harry’s big, round, intelligent eyes and its exceptionally cute little pink nose.

She couldn’t resist reaching out to stroke it. Harry remained still, letting her pet him, its expression blank.

Thomas Shannon said, a hint of a headache in his voice, "Come here."

"No."

"Want me to come down and get you?" The man’s handsome face darkened, his eyebrows knitting together tightly.

His cold eyes, fixed on her, were filled with menace.

Sophie Sullivan hesitantly stood up, walked to the bedside, and looked at him with clear reluctance.

"Is what others think—whether you’re beautiful or ugly—really that important to you?"

"It’s important!"

Sophie Sullivan retorted confidently, "You’ve never been disfigured; you wouldn’t understand how deeply it wounds someone to be called ugly. If I were flawless, I wouldn’t care in the slightest if anyone pointed at my nose and called me ugly to my face. But it’s different now. My face..."

Taking a deep breath, Sophie Sullivan didn’t want to continue. "Forget it. You wouldn’t understand even if I told you. It’s pointless saying any more."

Not knowing what tantrum she was throwing this time, Thomas Shannon had to restrain himself and patiently try to coax her, "You’re not ugly."

"With such a stiff tone, just forget it. Don’t force yourself to speak against your conscience."

Thomas Shannon’s eyes darkened. "Then what do you want?"

She turned listlessly and started towards the door. "I just want a good night’s sleep."

She pulled open the room door and was just about to step out when the man’s deep, resonant voice came from behind her.

"You’re really not ugly. I swear."

Sophie Sullivan faltered mid-step. She turned her head and stared at the grim-faced man in disbelief. "What did you say?"

He said... he swears?