CHAPTER 353: CHAPTER 355: CAN YOU BEAR TO PART WITH IT?

A pair of strong arms tightened around her waist, enfolding her in an embrace.

Her eyes, which she had clenched shut in fear, gradually opened, unexpectedly meeting Thomas Shannon’s dark deep eyes.

His pupils held a gleam, sparkling like stars.

"Scared?" As he spoke, the corner of his lips lifted in a slight curve.

That half-smile, half-smirk—damn, he was devilishly charming!

Sophie Sullivan steadied her emotions and vehemently denied, "I’m not."

What a joke! Amelia Shaw was still watching. Could she admit her fear? No, she couldn’t show weakness. Even if it killed her, she would never admit she had been terrified just now. Looking down at these seemingly endless flights of stairs, if she fell, it wouldn’t just be her face; her entire body would likely fall apart. And even if her head wasn’t addled to begin with, a fall like that would surely scramble her brains.

"Really not?" A hint of a smile touched Thomas Shannon’s eyes.

So stubborn. Who was it that screamed in fright just now? She was obviously scared stiff, yet she was still trying to act tough. He was truly at his wit’s end with her.

Sophie Sullivan pressed her lips together, lying with a perfectly straight face, "No." She sounded completely confident, not at all like someone who was lying.

Thomas Shannon chuckled, patted her shoulder to help her steady herself, and said, "Since you aren’t scared, let’s continue up the mountain."

"Still climbing the mountain?"

Sophie Sullivan’s head drooped in dismay. "Thomas Shannon, can you just let me off the hook?"

"No."

"You!"

Gritting her teeth, Sophie Sullivan seriously wanted to steel her heart and just strangle him!

Amelia Shaw watched as the two bickered, oblivious to anyone else. Their gazes were locked on each other, and that familiar tightness constricted her chest again.

She couldn’t help but speak up to break the atmosphere, "Thomas, we need to hurry. Otherwise, the sun will rise before we even reach the mountain top."

"Mm."

Thomas Shannon responded indifferently. He looked down at the maniac in his embrace. "Really no energy left?"

Sophie Sullivan drooped, her voice soft and weak, almost like a coquettish plea, "Not a tiny bit of energy left."

Sophie thought she heard the faintest, almost imperceptible sigh, but before she could be sure, Thomas Shannon had already crouched down in front of her. "Get on."

"What?"

"I’ll carry you."

Amelia Shaw clenched her fists, unable to hide her unwillingness as she blurted out, "Thomas..."

How could he carry that maniac? What about her?

Without hesitation, Sophie Sullivan clambered onto his back, her arms wrapping around his neck. She rested her chin on his shoulder and said softly, "Okay, I’m ready."

Thomas Shannon supported her raised buttocks with both hands, giving her a little lift. He then stood up and looked at Amelia Shaw, who was biting her lip resentfully. "If you’re tired, you can have Charlie River support you."

He would personally carry one, while the other would be supported by Charlie River. The difference in treatment was already obvious.

Amelia Shaw felt a surge of unwillingness and imbalance. She inwardly fumed at Sophie Sullivan’s scheming. So, she’d been uncooperative from the start, complaining about being tired, all for this moment!

While on Thomas Shannon’s back, Sophie Sullivan urged him, "Hurry up, or the sun will come out."

"You, shut up and behave."

Sophie Sullivan deliberately did the opposite, her slender, well-proportioned legs swinging. "Thomas Shannon, you’re jostling me! Can’t you walk properly?"

Give her an inch, and she’d take a mile. That was Sophie Sullivan for you.

Thomas Shannon adjusted her slightly. "If you make any more noise, I’ll throw you down the mountain."

Sophie Sullivan leaned close to his ear, a mischievous glint in her eyes, and whispered provocatively, "Would you dare? If you throw me down the mountain, who’s going to sleep with you at night and let you hold them?"

"Do you really think I’m lacking women?"

"You’re not lacking, no. But those other women—are any of them good enough to catch the eye of Young Master Shannon?"