Soon enough, Gordon gathered his thoughts, stood up, and got himself ready before opening his bedroom door.


    Harold, waiting outside, was taken aback. It was his first time seeing his brother with such a peculiar expression. Everything seemed perfectly normal during the day. How did things change so drastically by evening? "Hey, bro, you okay?" Harold asked hesitantly.


    "Yeah, I''m fine," Gordon replied, reaching out as if to ruffle Harold''s hair, but settled for a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Come on, Harold, let''s head downstairs."


    Harold couldn''t quite shake the feeling that something was off with his brother tonight.


    Down in the banquet hall, Sophie''s high school friends were in full swing, celebrating her birthday with endless snapshots. After the photos, Andrew proudly paraded Sophie around to greet their close friends, almost as if he wanted to announce to the world that his beautiful daughter was now all grown up.


    Watching this unfold, Gordon couldn''t help but smile tenderly.


    "Hey, big brother!" Sophie called out, her eyes locking onto Gordon from across the room. Somehow, she always spotted him first, no matter the crowd.


    "Hey, don''t run off!" Jenna called out anxiously, as Sophie, struggling with her dress, made her way over to Gordon in small, careful steps.


    "Do I look good today, brother?" Sophie asked with a grin.


    "You look stunning," Gordon assured her.Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    "Why are you sote? It''s my big day!" Sophie pouted, adding, "And where''s my birthday present? I know you must have something for me." Gordon studied her for a moment before chuckling, "You''ll get it once the party''s over."


    Sophie picked up on a different vibe from Gordon, while Harold teased,


    "Who demands their gift right away? You''re gonna scare people off!"


    swny


    "And you!" Sophie retorted. "You got me a motorbike for my birthday! Do you even know what girls like?"


    "What''s wrong with a motorbike? It''s pink! It''s cool, right? If you don''t want it, hand it back!"


    "In your dreams!" Sophie shot back. "I''d rather let it gather dust in the garage than give it back to you!"


    As Sophie and Harold yfully bantered, Gordon couldn''t help butugh.


    "Big brother, you decide! Isn''t Harold''s gift just terrible?" Sophie pleaded.


    "Bro, you''re with me on this, right? Motorbikes are cool, aren''t they?" Harold countered.


    Caught in the middle, Gordon just


    up


    smiled and gently tousled Sophie''s hair. "If you''re not into the motorbike, I''ll get you something else next. time-a sports car, a sedan, maybe even an RV. Whatever you fancy."


    Harold chimed in, “Forget it, bro. Sophie''s too timid to drive far. She''d end up calling for help on the highway. So embarrassing."


    “And yet you still got me a motorbike, Harold! You did that on purpose!" Sophie used with a yful re.


    Just as Harold was about to defend himself, a voice rang out, "Sorry I''mte! Really, really sorry!"


    Adler rushed in, juggling two big bags. Jenna gave him a yful smack on the back of the head. "Why sote?"


    Adler, catching his breath, exined,


    "I barely made it to your favorite


    bakery before it closed. Got your


    favorite lemon cheesecake!


    It''s


    delicious!"