Next One Is a Babe

Sophia swept her gaze over the entire area around them, but she didn’t see Old Mr. Bailey. So, the two of them have been chatting here alone? He’s so engrossed in the conversation that he forgot about my existence, huh? Great, just great. Good job, John Constance.

She stared at them for some time, noticing that they were chatting happily away. After all, Isabelle wore a perpetual smile that appeared lovely. Isabelle was wearing a bright red long dress now, the dress rendering her all the more alluring since she was naturally tall and slender. From the looks of her, probably no man will be able to refuse her. Sophia rolled her eyes. Then, she turned her gaze to John. He’s smiling as well. He actually seldom smiled, and even if he did occasionally, it was just a faint smile. Thus, it was blatantly obvious that he was truly happy now. Snorting mildly, Sophia then turned around and left.

There were a few small trees, slightly low yet lush, and there was even a bench under one of the trees. No one was around, so Sophia went over and sat down before slipping off her shoes. Nevertheless, she wasn’t in a hurry to put on the Band-Air, merely sitting there barefooted. She sighed lightly. Since she hadn’t eaten dinner and had just taken some snacks at the buffet area earlier, her stomach felt rather unsettled.

Lifting her head, she gazed up at the sky. The sky in the city is always foggy as though blanketed by a layer of some sort. She rested her arms on the back of the bench, resentment written all over her face while no one was here to see. She’s just lucky enough to be born into a family with a good background. Even if she doesn’t have that, we’re actually no different. Isabelle Bailey, it’s not like you’ve got a head or two extra, so why are you so conceited? As she thought about it, the chagrin within her grew, so she drew her leg back and kicked the grass at the side.

There were no other people here, so Sophia had rare peace. The night breeze gently blew past, delighting her as she sat there. Putting aside all decorum, she leaned back against the bench, sprawled out as she listened to the noises that drifted over from somewhere. After sitting there for a good while, her mood slowly improved.

She hummed for a while before lifting her head and gazing up at the sky. I’m actually feeling drowsy in my contentment, perhaps because I didn’t have a good nap this afternoon. She then giggled to herself. I wonder how the host will feel if he were to learn that someone hid away and dozed off during the banquet.

After some time, she then heard Isabelle’s voice, saying, “That isn’t likely. Could she have gone in search of food?” Her voice had always been gentle, and that also applied now.

John’s voice, on the other hand, was slightly panicked. “I didn’t see her over there.”

Sophia’s eyes that were closed slowly opened upon hearing them. Staring at the gray sky, she contemplated the matter for a moment. John Constance, that rat b*stard, has finally remembered me, huh? She didn’t move but maintained her posture, sprawled out as though half-dead.

Meanwhile, John stood still and swept his gaze around the entire place, but he didn’t see Sophia. Worry swamped him. She’s never been to such a place, so who knows where she might have wandered off to? Unsettled, he headed to the artificial rocks again, but she wasn’t there either.

Isabelle followed him all around, yakking endlessly. “Miss Gwendolyn isn’t a child, so she can’t possibly be lost. Don’t panic. We’ll look for her slowly.”