Chapter 8: Blind date

The next morning,

Sofia opened her eyes to the warm sunlight streaming through the window, casting a gentle glow on her room. She winced, her body still sore from the attack. the Memories of last night flooded back, and her thoughts drifted to Liam.

"Liam," she whispered, recalling his rescue, his touch, and his expressionless face.

Sofia's emotions swirled, a mix of gratitude, embarrassment, and curiosity. Why had Liam helped her? Did he still care?

As she pondered, a soft knock on the door broke the silence.

"Come in," Sofia called out.

The door opened, revealing a maid with a tray of breakfast and a smile that wasn't a smile.

"Good morning, Miss Sofia. Mr. Liam instructed me to ensure you have everything you need," the maid said calmly.

Sofia's heart skipped a beat. Liam's thoughtfulness touched her.

"Thank you," Sofia replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

The maid eyes widened in suprise, Sophia doesn't say thank you in the past, even if you bring the heaven and Earth down to waship her, she will never say thanks, instead, she will cause trouble and scold them miserably.

the young maid set the tray down and helped Sofia sit up, fluffing her pillows.

"Shall I help you with breakfast, Miss?"

Sofia shook her head, her eyes welling up with tears.

As the maid assisted her, Sofia couldn't shake off the feeling that Liam's actions were more than just a duty.

"Where is he?" Sofia asked.

"The young master went to the company early this morning, Miss," the maid replied.

Sofia nodded, her eyes fixed on the empty space, her mind replaying the events of the previous night.

After eating, Sofia took her medicine and settled back into bed, her thoughts consumed by Liam's rescue and his subsequent cold demeanor.

Why had he saved her? And why did he seem so distant afterward?

The questions swirled in her mind, making it difficult to focus.

she drift off to sleep.

Her phone buzzed, shrill in the silence. Sofia opened her eyes and picked it up from the side of the bed, looking at the caller ID. Her face turned black as she saw Recheal's name flashing.

"Hello?" Sofia answered, her voice cautious.

"Sofia, you didn't believe me yesterday when I said Liam has moved on and found another person, right?" Recheal's voice dripped with malice. "Come to this location and see for yourself."

Sofia's heat arched, trembling. She didn't want to believe Liam had already moved on.

"No, you can't do this to me, Liam," Sofia muttered, her eyes welling up. "I know I wronged you in the past, but you can't." she plead in her heart.

"Sofia, are you listening?" Recheal's voice cut through Sofia's thoughts.

Sofia gritted her teeth. "Yes, I'm listening. Where is he?"

Recheal provided the address, and Sofia's grip on her phone tightened.

"I'll be there," Sofia replied, hanging up.

Sofia greeted her teeth and threw off her covers and rushed out of bed to dress.

After dressing up, Sofia rushed out of her room, her heels clicking on the marble floor.

"Madam, slow down," the butler called out, concern etched on his face.

But Sofia didn't listen. She couldn't.

Recheal's words echoed in her mind: "Come see for yourself."

Sofia's heart raced as she hastened her pace, her destination fixed in her mind.

She burst through the estate's front door, ignoring the butler's attempt to assist her.

Sofia rushed out of the estate, the cool morning air slapping her face. She didn't bother with her car, opting to hail a taxi instead.

"Where to, miss?" the driver asked.

Sofia provided the address Recheal gave her, warming deli restaurant, her mind racing with thoughts of Liam and the mysterious woman.

As the taxi sped through the city, Sofia's anxiety grew. What would she find?

The taxi stopped in front of an upscale restaurant loxirious and well build and decorated, is a big restaurant. Sofia's heart sank.

She paid the driver and stepped out, her eyes scanning the parking lot for Liam's car.

It was there, parked in his usual spot.

Sofia's hands trembled as she stood at the restaurant door.

Before confronting Liam, she needed to know more.

Sofia grabbed her sunglasses , blending into the crowded sidewalk.

She walked to the restaurant's entrance, peeking through the window.

Liam sat at a table, his expression unreadable. Across from him, a stunning woman smiled and laughed.

But Liam's demeanor remained cold and detached. No warmth in his eyes, No curve of his lips, No hint of emotion.

Sofia's mind whirled: Was this a business meeting? Or something more?

The woman's hands brushed Liam's arm, but he didn't react.

Liam's gaze remained fixed on the lady.

The woman's beauty was undeniable: porcelain skin, raven hair, and piercing green eyes.

Sofia's mind whirled:

Who was this woman? What was their relationship?

Sofia's eyes narrowed, observing the woman's body language.

She leaned in close to Liam, touching his arm.

Liam's calm faltered for a moment, but he didn't pull away.

Sofia's heart sank.

This wasn't just a business meeting.

As she was observing Liam, someone came to her side with a smile. "Hey, miss. Long time no see."

Sofia turned to the source of the voice. She recognized him, James - Liam's friend.

She felt nervous; she didn't know what to say to him after everything she did to Liam in the past that made all his friends hate her.

James's face turned serious. "I had you stay in my third brother's estate," he said, his tone firm.

"What are you doing in my third brother's estate?" James asked. "As far as I can remember, my brother's estate is your worst dangerous zone. his your rival,You hate him and hate everything that belongs to him. Every day is a war between you two enemies; you even attempted to kill him. Why do you come back?" James asked, staring at Liam and the woman inside the restaurant.

Sofia's eyes dropped, shame and guilt washing over her. "James, I—"

"Answer me, Sofia," James interrupted, his voice stern.

Sofia looked at James's handsome face, her eyes filled with regret. "I regret my actions and every word I said to him in the past," she said, her voice sincere. "If you like, believe me; if you don't, no problem. I like Liam, but I was deceived by my stepsister and Julian."

James smirked, his eyes piercing. "You were deceived, now that you've fo beund out. In the past, we tried to show you your sister's true colors, but sisterly love blinded you. Thou Your eyes were already blind; you couldn't distinguish what a person can and cannot do, you can't even tell right or wrong behavior. You couldn't even tell who really loves you and who is using you."

Sofia's eyes dropped, shame washing over her. "I know," she whispered. "I was blind, and I paid the price."

James's expression softened, his voice taking on a hint of empathy. "What makes you think Liam will forgive you?"

Sofia's gaze lifted, determination burning within. "I don't expect forgiveness easily," she said. "But I need to try. For myself, for Liam, and for the truth."

James studied Sofia's face, his expression unreadable. "And what's the truth?" he asked.

Sofia's voice firm. "The truth about my stepsister, Julian, and their schemes. The truth about my feelings for Liam."

Lisa said calmly, her tears spinning and falling from her eyes down her cheek. "I'm so sorry."

James felt pity and hit his chest, a smile appearing on his pink, thin lips. "Do you know what's happening over there?" James asked, staring at the couple inside the restaurant.

Lisa shook her head, "No."

James licked his beautiful pink lips. "Our cold demon is on a blind date with that lady."

Sofia furrowed her brow and clenched her fist, her nails digging into her palm.

James continued, "And how I'm seeing things going on? This blind date will work out between them." James said, looking at the woman happily chatting with Liam, and Liam responding briefly. "In other blind dates that my third brother has been to, he never spoke or wasted time with any of the beautiful ladies. She is the first," James said with a cunning smile, pointing to the couple inside. "It's like our Liam likes her; she will be his next lover," James added.