Harold turned away, his ears turning a shade of red. "You look better than before."This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.


    "Harold! What''s that supposed to mean?"


    And just like that, the moment was ruined.


    Harold scowled. "Sophie! Could you lower your voice, please?"


    "No way!"


    "I just can''t deal with you right now!"


    He spun around and walked off, leaving Sophie fuming.


    What did he mean by ''better than before''? She''d always been a stunner!


    "Okay, okay, let''s not make a scene," Jenna chimed in. "I think it''s about time we head downstairs, don''t you think?"


    Sophie pouted but quickly realized she had a bigger problem.


    "Jenna... I can''t walk."


    "Huh?"


    Jenna nced at Sophie, who looked thoroughly embarrassed. "You''ve never worn high heels before?"


    Sophie shook her head frantically.


    With twelve years of school focused solely on academics and then three grueling years preparing for college entrance exams, when did she ever have the time or asion to wear heels? Jenna sighed. Young girls, always a handful.


    Sophie asked, pouting, "Jenna, what am I supposed to do then?"


    "Just don''t act like you''re in sneakers, and you''ll be fine."


    Downstairs, James arrived at the venue right on time.


    The VIPs were mostly there, and he quickly spotted his parents chatting with Andrew.


    "James, over here."


    Ruby waved James over.


    James joined his mother.


    Ruby beamed, "This is my son, James, and this is your senior, the CEO of Russell Enterprises, Ms. Sophie."


    "Andrew."


    James shook hands with Andrew politely.


    Andrew nodded with approval. "Quite the promising young man."


    "You''re too kind, Andrew."


    "I hear your father''s thinking of retiring early and letting you take over Burke International. Looks like Devonport''s getting another bright young star."


    James replied, "Andrew, you''re still at the top of your game. I''m just the rookie, helping out with some odds and ends; hardly worthy of the praise." Andrew chuckled. "You''re mature beyond your years. It''s too bad my daughter spends her days lounging around, showing no interest in the business."


    Joseph chimed in, "When she was


    born, it was all over Devonport. I even held her as a baby. Everyone said she was destined for greatness, and even if she doesn''t run thepany, she''d live a life of luxury."


    "All I want is for my little girl to be happy. Time flies; eighteen years


    loved he


    gone in a blink. Soon she''ll be of age, graduate, and then it''s engagement time." ,


    "With Yulian, right? Those two seem perfect together."


    "Yulian said if Sophie''s not ready or finds someone else, he''ll respect her wishes. But honestly, my girl can''t do without Yulian, always going on about brother this, brother that Never heard her talk about her dad like that."


    Andrew chuckled softly.


    Listening to his dad and Andrew chatter away, James felt a bit annoyed.


    There was still a ton of work waiting at thepany, and with his parents always off on dates, he was stuck picking up the ck.


    He nced at his watch, hoping this dinner would wrap up soon.


    Just then, the lights dimmed, and everyone''s eyes turned to the staircase on the second floor.