Pursuing Her

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Following Sophie's remark, a barrage of replies instantly flooded in from her friends, reading: Haha, we were just joking! Our Phantom isn't that petty, yes?

Hear, hear! We were just fooling around! Our Phantom is adorable, beautiful, and kind!

Yes, exactly! You're definitely a kind matron!

Sophie queried: A kind matron?

I'm still a pretty young lady, okay?

Immediately, one of them declared: Haha, you're dead, Beast!

The other echoed: Phantom, Beast deliberately said that! He definitely did it on purpose!

Conversely, Beast explained: It was a typo, Phantom! All right, my wife is calling for me, so I'm going offline! The man known as Beast quickly made himself scarce.

Again, Sophie was stumped.

Well, well, well... It seems that I've got to teach him a lesson. How dare he call me a matron?

Nonetheless, she typed: Okay, let's call it a day. Inform me if Nicholas makes a move.

No matter what, Nicholas suffered a setback this time. When he gathers his wits about him, he'll undoubtedly realize it had to do with us.

Her friends assured: Don't worry. We'll be sure to keep an eye on him.

Sophie replied: Then, I'll be going to bed.

Thus, her friends responded: Okay. Bye!

Good night! Sleep tight, Cutie-pie!

Sophie was at a loss for words.

She objected: Don't call me Cutie-pie, okay? It's such a cheesy nickname! How could they call me Cutie-pie?

“Sure, Your Majesty. I'll call you however you wish.”

That had Sophie at a loss for words.

Never mind. They all have a screw loose. She went offline, not in the mood to continue yakking with them.

When she woke up the next day, Tristan already had Susan come over early in the morning to prepare breakfast.

Hence, by the time Sophie and Ysabelle woke up, they were greeted by the sight of a tableful of breakfast fare. Tristan, on the other hand, was already sitting at the dining table, reading the newspaper.

“Come and have breakfast,” Tristan urged, putting down the newspaper in his hand upon seeing that they had awakened.

“You two go ahead. I'm going for my morning run. I'll eat when I come back!” Sophie had already changed into sportswear.

“Seriously, Sophie? We're finally on holiday, yet you want to go for a morning run? What's wrong with you?”

Ysabelle really couldn't fathom it. Isn't it nice to just stay home and rest?

“You need to go running as well.”

Since she's about to debut, she must have great stamina. And I've already asked the planner to draft out an exercise plan for her.

Ysabelle's lovely eyes went wide.

“I've got to go running as well? You might as well kill me!” I'm already thin, but I still need to go running? She continued whining, “If you're dissatisfied with my figure, Sophie, I can go on a diet and lose weight. I'm serious! I can skip dinner. I'm willing to do anything at all, but please don't ask me to exercise.”

The young lady shook her head resolutely.

I can't exercise! Frankly speaking, I'm just not the kind of person who can exercise. If she were to ask me to do so, I'd die for sure!

“That won't work. If you want to debut, you must be in tip-top condition. Otherwise, how will you remain standing after performing a concert? Don't worry. I'll be exceedingly strict with you after the university entrance exam.”

Hearing that, Ysabelle teetered on the verge of crying. Did she just say “don't worry?” Looks like I have plenty to worry about when she's going to be strict with me!

“Must you be so cruel to me, Sophie? I know you love me the most. Please don't ask me to go running. I beg you.”

I'll die.

Just then, Tristan got to his feet.

“Wait for me. I'll change and go running with you.” Without saying much, he had already left to change.

“You two go ahead. I'll pass.”

If there was anything in the world Ysabelle was averse to, it was running.

“Anyway, I've already notified you. The plan will be implemented after the university entrance exam.” Sophie wasn't adamant about her tagging along that day. Instead, she would give her some time to get used to the idea.

After Tristan changed and came downstairs, he left with Sophie to go running.

Ysabelle sat at the dining table alone, misery inundating her.

What bad news! How could I possibly be happy when I received such bad news first thing after waking up early in the morning?

Meanwhile, Sophie and Tristan headed straight to Jipsdale Premier High to run after leaving Wisteria Apartments.

Upon seeing that they were students, the guard at the gate allowed them entry without asking any questions.

The two of them went to the soccer field and started running.

Tristan had been exercising all along, so he wasn't the least bit averse to running.

His speed was moderate, mainly because he was matching Sophie's.

Sophie's primary purpose of running was to keep her body in good shape, so she kept her speed modest too. Even after running five laps, they were still as relaxed as ever.

They also had excellent control over their breathing.

“You're serious about having Ysabelle go running?”

Ysabelle's lifestyle was actually quite unhealthy. Everyone in the family had been hoping that she'd exercise, but she hated it so much that she refused to do so no matter what.

“If she wants to debut, exercising is imperative!”

Running is effective in training one to regulate one's breathing.

Tristan was silent for a moment before he asserted, “Be strict, and don't go easy on her!”