Filed to story: The Billionaire Trying Hard to Win Her Heart Novel (Sophie & Tristan) >>
“Fine, I’m buying. I’ll make sure you go home drunk, or my name isn’t Tristan.”
Felix was stumped. I was just making a casual remark. Getting drunk is such a horrible feeling to have.
“Mr. Tristan, I’m sorry. You win. Please let me off the hook!”
When Charles and Sean saw Felix’s cowardly reaction, they burst into laughter.
“Mr. Tristan, Sean and I will be taking our leave as we’re done. As for Felix, go ahead and torture him,”
Charles suggested with a grin.
Felix was upset.
“F*ck, after I invited you out for supper, is that how you repay me? Charles, you had better not cross the line.”
Felix rolled up his sleeves as if he was going to get into a fight with them.
Ignoring him, Sean gave Charles a tug before leaving, with Felix brandishing his fists in the air behind them.
“All of you should stop bullying Felix. Don’t you think he’s really pitiful?”
Upon hearing the remark, Felix snuck a glance at Ysabelle, for that was the first time she had ever stood up for him.
Even Tristan shot her a look.
“Felix, you should send her home already. Given how strict her dad has lately been, she might be grounded for life if she doesn’t get home soon.”
Tristan knew his brother’s character like the back of his hand.
Upon hearing his comment, Ysabelle, who had wanted to linger a little longer, felt her enthusiasm fizzle out and resigned herself to reality.
“Soph, once Old Mr. Tanner recovers, I’ll visit him again. As of now, I won’t bother him yet.”
Sophie nodded in acknowledgment.
“Mm-hmm. Go on now.”
Poor girl.
After being reluctantly led away by Felix, Ysabelle would turn around with a pitiful look on her face every few steps she took.
When she saw Ysabelle’s miserable expression, Sophie couldn’t help but ask,
“Mr. Tristan, as Ysabelle’s uncle, can’t you put in a good word for her?”
There’s nothing wrong with joining the entertainment industry as long as that’s where her passion lies. Considering the Lombard family’s position in Jipsdale, no one in the industry would dare take advantage of her in the event she does.
“Mm-hmm, I’ll talk to my brother about it in a few days.”
As he was occupied with Josiah’s matter, he had no time to spare for Ysabelle’s affairs.
Nonetheless, since Sophie had made a request, he would definitely get to it.
After leading Sophie to a private room, both of them sat and waited after ordering.
The moment Sophie went online, Butterfly’s messages came in.
Butterfly: Phantom, you’re finally here. Have you been busy? Why haven’t you come online recently?Phantom: I’ve been busy taking care of things at home. Did something happen? How are things at Wings of Light? Butterfly: What’s wrong? Do you need our help? If you do, just press 1.
Sophie couldn’t help but smile at Butterfly’s joke.
Phantom: I’m fine. My grandpa has just gone for an operation. There’s nothing you can do even if you’re here.
Butterfly: I see. In that case, I’ll visit him tomorrow. Just give me the address.
Phantom: That’s not necessary. He’s still recovering and needs a lot of rest.
Butterfly: All right then. I’ll visit him when he’s better, as I’ve been planning to see him for some time. Please keep me updated.
Phantom: Is everything all right with Wings of Light?Butterfly: It’s fine. Their influence has been expanding under my leadership, so there’s nothing for you to worry about.
Phantom: Okay, I’m logging off now. You should rest early too.
I know Butterfly is a night owl, but why isn’t she sleeping yet? It’s almost dawn now.
Butterfly: I can’t sleep as I just broke up. From the look of things, I’m really not suited to be in a relationship.
Sophie was at a loss for words.
She goes through a breakup once a month. I really have no idea what to say.
Butterfly: Ah, I just keep meeting lousy men. It’s not my problem, but the men I keep seeing are terrible.
Phantom: I have to go, as I’m about to eat.
Tristan’s gaze was fixed on her as she was chatting with Butterfly from the moment she sat down.
After logging out of her phone, Sophie put it aside.
“Who was it?”
How can there be someone who has a greater hold on her than me? To the extent that she just can’t put down her phone?
“A friend.”
As Tristan still didn’t know that she was Phantom, it wasn’t the right time to tell him about Butterfly yet.
“Fine.”
Sensing her reluctance, Tristan didn’t press on.
When the food was served, Sophie grabbed a skewer of grilled meat and took a bite.
Even though it was delicious, she didn’t feel that it tasted much better than one from a street stall.
Since spices were the most important ingredient in a barbecue, she enjoyed the particular restaurant’s spice rub.
Sophie, who noticed Tristan wasn’t eating, handed a skewer to him.
“Aren’t you hungry too? Dig in!”
Instead of receiving it, Tristan grabbed her hand and took a bite from her skewer.
Sophie was rendered speechless.
Does he want me to feed him? She let out a sigh.
This is such a pain. Must I also feed him during meals whenever we’re together?Even though she was famished a while ago, she became full after just a few skewers. In spite of that, Tristan ordered a serving of mashed potatoes for her.
After taking a few mouthfuls, she could no longer move a muscle.
As for Tristan, he finished her leftover mashed potatoes instead of the untouched barbecue skewers.
After both of them exited the restaurant and got into the car, they saw Willow and Clayton appear in front of it.
When Sophie was certain the lady beside Clayton was Willow, she couldn’t resist snorting in laughter.
Isn’t she in love with Mason? What changed? Does she not fancy him anymore after what happened to his leg? That aside, why is Clayton with her?The fact that Clayton was behind the assassination attempts on Tristan wasn’t lost upon her.
At the same time, Tristan’s expression darkened.
There’s no reason for Clayton and Willow to be in the same social setting. Now that he has her by his side, what is he planning? Who is he targeting?Tristan didn’t forget the incident outside Blossom Garden, where Clayton discovered how special Sophie was to him.
Therefore, he suspected that Sophie was the reason why Clayton had Willow by his side.
As Sophie watched Willow, the latter, in turn, saw her and noticed the way Sophie was looking at her. As a result, Willow cracked a smug smile.
Is Sophie already jealous when I haven’t even done anything? All I’m doing is show up by Clayton’s side. In that case, wouldn’t she rage in jealous envy if Clayton and I really got together? Taking her attention off Willow, Sophie wound up the window to screen the latter out from her mind.
I don’t care what happens to Willow, but now that I control the Tanner family, there’s no way I’m going to let her harm the family’s interest.
It went without saying that Clayton, too, saw Tristan and Sophie. Consistent with what everyone’s thoughts were, Sophie was the reason why he had Willow by his side.
Given how important Sophie was to Tristan, hurting the former was the equivalent of doing the same to the latter.
After all, his only goal in life is to crush Tristan like an insect.
“Clayton, it’s getting late. Let’s…”
Willow offered herself to him. Since he kept her by his side, she was certain of his desire for her.
After all, it wouldn’t make sense for a man to do that and not lust after the lady, especially one that was of the nubile age of nineteen.
For someone like Clayton, it would be impossible for him to resist.
When Clayton checked the time, he realized that it really was getting late.
In truth, even though Willow’s beauty was undeniable, Sophie’s presence made her look ordinary, smoldering any lust that he initially harbored for the former.
“It’s getting late. Your parents must be worried. I’ll get the driver to send you home.”
“Clayton, I don’t feel like going home. Where are you going? Let me come with you. My parents are busy these few days, so they don’t have time to bother about me.”
Since the opportunity for her to stay by his side didn’t come by easily, she was reluctant to leave just like that.
“Clayton, I —”
Willow swallowed her words.
She was willing to sacrifice anything as long as she could stay by Clayton’s side, even if it meant giving herself to him.
Suddenly, Clayton grabbed her chin.
“I heard that you and your sister fancied Mr. Mason, and now, you’ve already changed your mind? How long has it just been since he was hospitalized? Willow, are your feelings for me really sincere? How are you going to prove it?”
Despite the pain from his brutish grip, Willow had no choice but to maintain her longing stare at him.
“Clayton, before I met you, I always assumed that I liked Mason’s type. But after getting to know you, I realized I’m actually attracted to ambitious men like you. As for Mason, he’s nothing but a mommy’s boy.”
Clayton couldn’t help but laugh at Willow’s words. Does she really think I’m someone like Mason, whom she can manipulate with ease?
“Clayton, why are you looking at me like that? Don’t you believe me? Every word I say is true. I really like you a lot. In fact, I’m willing to sacrifice everything for you.”
Confident in her beauty, Willow was sure her pitiful look would be able to melt any man’s heart.
Instead, Clayton tightened his grip on her.
“Is that so? Are you really sure that you like me and truly understand what kind of person I am?”
Clayton’s reaction wasn’t what she had expected, causing her to feel at a loss.
“Clayton, how can I prove myself to you?”
“The man with your sister. Do you know him? He’s someone that I detest.”
Clayton released her chin and gently stroked her beautiful face.
“Do you mean Tanny? I hate his guts too. However, what are you expecting me to do? He’s Sophie’s boyfriend, and I’m powerless against him.”
When the image of Tristan emerged in her mind, it was still enough to cause her heart to race.
So what if that’s the case? She’s still Sophie’s man and will never be mine. Furthermore, what’s the use of him being better looking than Clayton? As long as I can become Clayton’s girl, my rise to success will be assured.
“I’m not expecting you to do anything. Do I look like someone like that? You know how much I treasure the woman I love. It’s just that he’s an eyesore to me. Since you claim that your feelings for me are true, let’s see how you prove it.”
No sooner had Clayton spoken than he ordered the driver to send Willow home.
Despite her unwillingness to leave, Willow was cognizant that her refusal would only end up infuriating him.
“Clayton, remember to call me.”
Willow then got into the car.
Right after she did, Clayton took out a wet napkin and methodically wiped his hands with it.