"Sophie! Are you here to tattle on me to my brother again?" Harold burst into Gordon''s room like a whirlwind.


    Rick came up short, unable to keep pace with the little rascal. Standing in the doorway, he offered a sheepish apology, "Sir, I really couldn''t hold him back."


    "Brother! Don''t listen to Sophie''s nonsense! She was the one snoozing in the backyard!" Harold used, turning to Sophie, "Come on, Sophie! Own up! Weren''t you the one who slept through everything?"


    When Harold blurted out her napping secret in front of Gordon, Sophie shot Gordon a helpless look, "Brother, I was just so exhausted, so..."


    "So you decided to take a nap." Harold crossed his arms, feeling triumphant. "Really, Sophie? I''ve been busting my chops setting up your birthday, from cake picking to keeping the kitchen on track, and you sneak off for a nap? Do you know how many people from the Aldridge family areing today? You''re in big trouble now! My brother''s definitely not going to side with you this time!"


    "Brother..." Sophie clung to Gordon''s sleeve, her voice soft and pleading.


    Gordon''s lips curled into a slight smile as he shot Rick a knowing nce. Rick caught on immediately. While Harold was still soaking in his perceived victory, Rick suddenly grabbed him by the ear, "Sorry, young master, but you''reing with me."


    "Rick! Why are you pulling my ear? Go scold Sophie!" Harold protested, but Rick was unfazed, leading Harold out of the room by the ear.


    Gordon, still smiling, asked, "Feeling better now?"


    "Much better! You''re the best, brother!" Sophie beamed, hugging Gordon''s arm. "Brother, it''s my birthday today! What did you get me?" "Didn''t you already see your present?"


    "That jewelry set?"


    "Not your style?"


    Sophie pouted, a bit let down. She


    had hoped for a little surprise. Seeing her disappointment, Gordon''s smile deepened. "Your real gift is in your room. Go see for yourself."  en


    "Really?" Sophie perked up, her eyes shining with excitement.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.


    "Really."


    "Ah, I knew it! You''re the best, brother! I love you!" Sophie eximed, throwing herself into Gordon''s arms, then dashed out of the room with renewed energy.


    Watching her carefree retreat,


    Gordon couldn''t help but chuckle and shake his head. That girl just never seems to grow up. But that''s okay... because he''d always be there to took out for her.


    Sophie hurried back to her room, flinging the door open with anticipation. To her surprise, there was no gift on the table. Frustrated, she ran back to Gordon''s study.


    Swr


    Gordon was going over the guest list with Rick when Sophie charged in, "Brother! You tricked me! Where''s the gift?"


    Without lifting his head, Gordon''s lips curled into a teasing grin, "It''s in your room, but you''ll need to find it."


    "Why can''t you just give it to me?"


    "Because a certain mischievous bunny loves to hop around. To keep you entertained, I had it hidden. You''ve got an hour to find it-nothing else to worry about." "And what if I can''t find it?"


    "Well, then no gift for you."