Thomas Shannon said nonchalantly, "It doesn’t matter. I can understand the maniac being in a bad mood."
"Miss Shaw is very understanding, after all," the maid said with a laugh, trying to please her.
In Sophie Sullivan’s eyes, that expression was the very definition of obsequious.No wonder. After all, it was an unwritten rule to flatter those above and step on those below.
Amelia Shaw lifted the silk quilt and got out of bed, gracefully sitting down on the sofa. With her long hair cascading down, she looked weak with a hint of illness. She picked up the chopsticks and tried a few bites before putting them down again.
The maid’s face tightened with concern. "Miss Shaw, what’s wrong? Is it not to your taste?"
"It’s my own fault. I can’t eat anything because I’m sick."
Leisurely picking up a napkin, Amelia Shaw wiped the corner of her mouth and smiled faintly. "Take all of this away. Thank you for your hard work."
"Not at all, it’s our duty. Miss Shaw, you’re too kind."
The maid cleaned up the dishes and tableware and urged Sophie, "Maniac, come over and hold this."
Sophie went up and took the tray. The maid bowed slightly toward Amelia Shaw. "Miss Shaw, we’ll leave you to rest now."
After leaving the guest bedroom, the maid didn’t go downstairs instantly. Instead, she changed direction and headed for the study room. The study room light was still on. The maid knocked on the door. "Young Master."
A short while later, Charlie River opened the study door. He glanced at the maid and Sophie behind her, then stepped aside. "Come in."
The maid entered the study room with the tray. Sophie tried to follow, but Charlie River blocked her way.
"Charlie River, move."
Charlie River’s eyes held a hint of sympathy. "The Young Master doesn’t want to see you."
"Really?" Sophie was unfazed and tried to force her way in while holding the tray.
A cold gun muzzle pressed against her brow.
Charlie River’s voice became colder than ever before. "Take another step forward, and you’ll face the consequences."
Sophie’s breathing hitched, and she clenched her teeth. Was Thomas Shannon serious about playing this game with her?
With the tray in hand, the maid approached the desk and respectfully bowed her head. "Young Master, Miss Shaw only had a few bites of the midnight snack and couldn’t eat any more."
That deep, magnetic voice... Sophie could tell who it was even with her eyes closed.
"Yes, just a few bites."
"Have the kitchen prepare another serving and bring it up. I’ll deliver it personally."
The maid obediently agreed, took two steps back, and turned to leave the study room.
Listening intently to every word Thomas Shannon said, Sophie forcefully pushed Charlie River away and quickly walked to the front of the desk. Her eyes burned with anger as she glared at the man sitting behind the desk. "Thomas Shannon, what’s the meaning of this?"
The man wore a black sleep gown, its collar slightly open, revealing his toned chest and smooth, lustrous skin that exuded a silent temptation. His handsome face looked even more dazzling under the light. His long, narrow eyes were dangerously narrowed, and his long fingers tapped impatiently on the table Surface. "Who gave you permission to come in? Get out!"
Sophie stood her ground. "Thomas Shannon, tell me, what is the meaning of this?"
She was being stubborn, almost to the point of obsession, fixated on getting an answer. She herself couldn’t understand why he, so capricious and moody, had inexplicably given her the cold shoulder.
"Charlie River!" Thomas Shannon shouted.
Charlie River quickly approached and grabbed Sophie’s arm. "Young Master, I’ll remove her immediately."
Sophie lowered her head and suddenly laughed coldly. "There’s no need for you to take me. I’ll leave on my own."
She turned around, took a step, and then stopped. Without looking back, her spine remained perfectly straight.