Heaven-Sent Bundle: Daddy, Mommy Doesn't Want You Again

A New Life

Everyone was engaging in conversation, showering Sophia with compliments. The words of praise came so freely, it was as if they cost nothing. If Sophia had been a naïve young girl, she might have blushed with embarrassment at such flattery.

However, Sophia was no longer the inexperienced college graduate she once was. She could discern which comments were genuine and which were mere flattery. She also knew that if it weren't for the backing of Vogue International Group, even as a popular designer, she wouldn't have attracted such sycophancy. These overtures were all for the sake of profit, so Sophia handled them with appropriate grace.

It wasn’t long before Sebastian Moran had introduced Sophia to most of the prominent business figures at the event, and she courteously made their acquaintance.

"You don't enjoy these kinds of events," Sebastian observed, having watched Sophia’s every move. Even though her manners were impeccable, almost to the point of faultlessness, it was clear that she didn't really like such gatherings. Each smile and gesture seemed formulaic, trained for just these kinds of situations.

“It's not about liking or disliking, it’s all for work,” Sophia replied honestly, then teased him a little, “You seem quite at ease in this setting. Looks like you enjoy these occasions!”

Sebastian had whisked Sophia away as soon as they arrived at the gala, and Ethan and Lin Qianyu had since disappeared, leaving her in his company. Initially, Sophia found Sebastian a bit frivolous and noisy, but as they made their rounds, her impression of him changed.

Despite his casual and carefree appearance, Sebastian was remarkably adept at conversing with these well-seasoned business magnates. Far from being a mere playboy concerned only with pleasure, his conversation was insightful and pointed, eliciting praise from those around him. Sebastian wasn't as simple as he appeared.

Sebastian’s handsome brows lifted slightly, seemingly surprised by Sophia's comment, but knowing it was a sincere compliment, he blushed slightly.

Just then, a waiter approached Sebastian and whispered, “Sir, it’s almost time for the auction. Weren’t you supposed to make a speech?”

“Then you shouldn’t delay here. Go ahead,” Sophia overheard the waiter and, seeing Sebastian glance her way with a hint of reluctance, gracefully encouraged him to leave. She was secretly relieved at the interruption and urged him to go.

“Alright,” Sebastian said as he placed his glass on the waiter's tray and raised his eyebrow at the waiter. “Take Miss Amanda to the VIP seats. She's a key figure at this event. Make sure she's well taken care of.”

“Certainly,” the waiter nodded, his manners impeccably trained.

“Then I’ll excuse myself, Amanda,” Sebastian said apologetically to Sophia before turning to leave.

At that moment, a commotion at the entrance drew everyone's attention. The groups that had been scattered around the venue suddenly converged toward the entrance.

“Mr. Scott is here, let’s go greet him!”

“Didn’t expect Mr. Scott to attend this charity event personally. The caliber of tonight’s event is truly high!”

“Of course, it's organized by Mrs. Moran. Mr. Scott has to show face!”

“Absolutely!”

Hearing the crowd, Sophia’s expression changed subtly. She was holding a cocktail, but her grip loosened, spilling the bright red liquid over the expensive carpet.

Mr. Scott? Was it Nathan Scott?

Sophia had anticipated meeting Nathan Scott again upon returning to Hilltown City. They were both part of the same social circle, after all. But she hadn’t expected it to be so sudden.

She thought she had long forgotten this man, especially after the humiliation she endured during their years together - hardly pleasant memories. Yet, facing the prospect of seeing him again, she felt a surge of nervousness.

But then she remembered the ordeal her father had gone through five years ago, her mother’s pain, and her own struggle on the brink of death. Grabbing another glass of wine from the waiter, she downed it in one go, calming her anxious thoughts.

Isabella Reed initially tried to cling to Nathan's arm but was subtly avoided by him. Her finely crafted expression twisted slightly, but facing the envious or jealous glances of the crowd, any awkwardness disappeared. She retrieved her composure, holding her clutch with both hands and smiling while greeting others.

Nathan, on the other hand, was noticeably more aloof, almost completely devoid of any emotion other than indifference.

Yet the people seemed accustomed to Nathan's icy demeanor and didn’t find it odd.

Sophia watched the two walking side by side in the crowd, a faint, almost imperceptible smile on her lips. She couldn’t help but admire how well-matched Isabella and Nathan seemed.

A bittersweet smile formed on Sophia’s lips. She should have realized this long ago. From their college days, Nathan had always been accompanied by Isabella - the student council president and vice president, seen by everyone as the perfect couple, expected to live happily ever after like a prince and princess. She, Sophia, was the interloper, the extra. If not for her intervention, Isabella would probably already be Nathan's wife.

Why had she been so delusional back then, naively thinking she could win Nathan’s heart? Looking back, she realized how presumptuous and ignorant she had been.

As she reached for another glass of wine, a strong arm blocked her way. Ethan stepped in front of Sophia, enveloping her in a protective embrace, his deep and magnetic voice comforting her: “My silly sister, it’s all in the past. You’ll have a brighter and more dazzling new life than before.”

Feeling the familiar scent of her brother and the reassurance in his embrace, Sophia felt a profound sense of peace. Indeed, everything was in the past. She had her career, her children, her family. She no longer needed to be mired in the troubles of the past. She needed a new beginning, a life free from the shadows of yesteryear.

“Thank you, brother,” Sophia said softly, filled with gratitude.

“There’s no need to thank me, sister. This is what I should do,” Ethan reassured her, patting her back gently.

As Nathan and Isabella approached, Sophia’s composure returned. She had decided not to let the past affect her any longer. She was now a successful designer, a strong mother, with her own family and future.

Nathan seemed about to say something, but he hid whatever he felt at seeing Sophia. Isabella, meanwhile, tried to hide her triumph but remained closely beside him.

Sophia watched the two walking side by side, her lips curling into a faint smile. She had to admit, Isabella and Nathan did make a striking couple.

A bittersweet smile crept onto Sophia’s lips. She should have realized this earlier, shouldn't she? From their college days, Nathan always had Isabella by his side. They were the golden couple, destined to live a happy and beautiful life. It was Sophia who was the outsider, the unnecessary one. Without her intrusion, Isabella would probably already be Nathan's wife by now.

But at the time, how had she been so foolishly self-deceptive, naively believing she could win Nathan’s heart? Now, looking back, she realized just how arrogant and ignorant she had been.

With these thoughts, Sophia reached out to grab another glass of wine, but her hand was blocked by a strong arm. Ethan stepped in front of her, wrapping her in a protective embrace. His deep, magnetic voice resounded softly, “My silly sister, it’s all in the past. You’re going to have a brighter and more brilliant new life than before.”

Feeling the familiar scent of her brother and the safety in his embrace, Sophia found solace. Yes, everything was in the past. She now had her own career, her children, her family. She no longer needed to be entangled in the troubles of the past. What she needed was a new beginning, a life free from the shadows of her former years.

“Thank you, brother,” Sophia said softly, her voice filled with gratitude.

“There's no need to thank me. This is what I should do,” Ethan responded, patting her back reassuringly.

As Nathan and Isabella drew nearer, Sophia's composure returned. She had decided not to let the past affect her anymore. She was now a successful designer, a strong mother, with her own family and future.

Nathan seemed as if he wanted to say something, but any emotions he might have had upon seeing Sophia were quickly concealed. Isabella, on the other hand, tried to appear triumphant but remained close to him.