Paid To Care, Destined To Conquer Novel

Chapter 487 Just My Idiot Allergy Acting Up "I'm going to the restroom," Sophie said, her lashes drooping as she pushed all her feelings aside for now. A shy, hesitant smile flickered on her pale face. Her soft white-and-pink dress only made her look more fragile and pitiable. Everyone at the table ignored her, except Ryker. People at the next table shot her sympathetic glances. As Dexter watched Sophie leave, for some reason, he felt a wave of unease wash over him. "I'm going to the restroom, too," Dexter said.

Once Sophie was out of sight around the corner, he immediately got up and followed after her. At the restroom entrance, Dexter lingered in the shadows, watching Sophie slip inside. He let out a quiet sigh, telling himself he was just being paranoid. But just as he started to relax, his heart was back in his throat. Sophie came out and headed straight into the fire escape, the one spot with zero security cameras. And then, to make matters worse, some random middle-aged guy he'd never seen before followed her in. Dexter was stunned.

Before he knew it, his feet were already moving, trailing after them. Seth sneered, "Salem may be old enough to be your father, but he's Bernard's only son. You know what Dragon Hill is like, right? "If something goes down, sure, your reputation will be trashed, but once it's all out in the open and there's no turning back, with my brother's straight-laced sense of honor, you really think he'd deny it?" Seth gave a cold laugh as he handed her the pills. Sophie stayed silent, but anyone could tell she was hesitating. Her hand was already reaching out to take them.

Dexter's breath hitched as he finally realized what they were talking about. Instinctively, he shifted his crutch, the sudden movement making a sharp noise. The sound echoed down the hallway. Sophie spun around, startled, her gaze locking with Dexter's through the crack in the half-open door. "Dexter!" Sophie cried out in shock. Dexter didn't even hesitate. He spun around to leave, but before he could take a step, Sophie bowed deeply and clung desperately to his pant leg. Right on the spot where his leg had been busted before. "Get lost!" Dexter snarled through clenched teeth.

Dexter's forehead broke out in a cold sweat as he gritted his teeth against the pain. "Dexter! Please, help me one last time, just this once!" Sophie cried, and her tears fell in torrents. "We grew up together. Even if I did something wrong, you have to give me a way out, Dexter!" Dexter looked down at her, his thoughts in turmoil. "Stella has so much going for her, but I have nothing, Dexter. Please," Sophie pleaded, her voice shaking. Sophie was sobbing uncontrollably, her face wet with tears. Her body, still frail from everything she'd endured, made her look even more delicate and pitiful.

Dexter sucked in a shaky breath, his chest tight and his breathing ragged. "Let go of me," he said, voice strained. Not far off, Seth watched with a cold smirk His bodyguards were hidden in the shadows, just waiting for his Successfully unlocked! Chapter 487 Just My Idiot Allergy Acting Up cue. They had to wrap this up fast. They couldn't risk running into the security team that did their rounds on the hour. "Dexter!" Sophie called out, her voice trembling. Tears welled up in her eyes. "This is the last time," Dexter said, looking at her with a cold finality.

In that moment, whatever feelings he once had for her were gone. "I didn't hear anything." He closed his eyes. Even though he knew just how innocent the person being set up was, Dexter still gave Sophie one last escape route. Dexter's face was clouded with disappointment and defeat. Sophie slowly let go of his pant leg. "You're on your own from now on," Dexter said, his voice flat and emotionless. With that, Dexter turned away, shoulders slumped, not knowing someone had been lying in wait for him all along. A swift hand chopped down hard on the back of his neck.

Dexter's eyes rolled back in disbelief, and he dropped to the floor, out cold. "Sorry, Dexter," Sophie said, slowly rising to her feet. She wiped away her tears, her face blank, her eyes dark and unreadable. "Wait until it's all over before you go back." ***** Ten minutes later, there was not a sound inside the State Hall. Everyone was stunned, their eyes locked in disbelief on one spot. Stella sauntered in, dressed in a loose white shirt and jeans, her long hair draping over her shoulders. Her face was flawless and unreadable, and Fabian walked right beside her.

She looked every bit like a boss making her entrance. Next to her, Bernard was quietly talking to her, his security detail close at hand. Salem, who had been called away by a staff member earlier, was nowhere to be seen. Right now, Stella was giving Bernard only the bare minimum of her attention, absently responding to the old man who was clearly way too giddy today. "Stella! It's really you, Stella! Oh my god!" Blake practically screamed, totally losing it. Blake was losing his mind with excitement. He thought, 'Head over heels for Stella! Mad for Stella!

I would literally smash into a wall for her!' Sebastian, stone-faced, reached out to stop Lucas, whose eyes instantly sparkled the moment Stella walked in. "Huh?" Emily looked confused. Allan glanced at her. "What's with the 'huh'?" Emily tilted her head. "Something feels off... Did someone mess with Stella or something?" She hesitated, then finally added. Sebastian shot her a look. "Just the idiot allergy acting up," he said deadpan. Lucas puffed up and crossed his arms. He nodded like crazy. Allan, Blake, and Emily were left speechless. 'Idiot allergy...?

What the heck is that?' they wondered. Chapter 487 Just My Idiot Allergy Acting Up While the group was chatting, Seth strolled back in, looking smug and totally at ease. Ryder, who'd been faking sleep, suddenly opened his eyes, giving Seth a long, meaningful look with those age- worn eyes. "Seth," Ryder said, and poured him a cup of coffee. Seth, clueless about what was happening, reached for the cup. But before he could touch it, Ryder tilted it, spilling the coffee right in front of him. "Sometimes, playing dumb brings you luck, but being too smart can backfire," Ryder said.

With that, he shut his eyes again. He drifted right back to sleep. Seth just stood there, stunned. Clang! Aveline fumbled with her glass, and it crashed to the floor with a loud bang. "Stella," Aveline choked out. Her whole body was shaking. Emerson instinctively tightened his grip on his wine glass, completely forgetting his earlier worry about why Dexter and Sophie still hadn't come back. He looked at Stella, and her gaze cut through the crowd, locking onto his with pinpoint accuracy. Suddenly, Stella smiled. Emerson's heart lurched, as if someone had grabbed it in a vise.

A wave of dread crashed over him, as if a tsunami were bearing down on him. "Go find Dexter," Emerson said. His gut was screaming that something was seriously wrong. Ryker didn't catch it. "What?" Emerson gritted his teeth, enunciating every word. "Go find Dexter and bring him back!" 'Damn it, what if my too-trusting little brother gets used by someone?' Emerson thought. But it was already too late. "No, stop!" A terrified scream shattered the silence of the ballroom.

In an instant, every eye, just moments ago fixed on Bernard and the girl who looked like she'd just stepped out of the evening news, snapped toward the source of the commotion. 'What just happened?' everyone thought. Bernard's face turned grim, but before he could do anything, Seth jumped up and practically shouted, "Bernard, don't tell me something has happened to Salem!" He deliberately raised his voice, making sure every single person in the hall heard him loud and clear. At that moment, Lucas, with his frosty little face, didn't even bother to hide his dramatic eye roll.

'Ugh, this acting is so cringe, and even a five-year-old like me can't stand it!' Lucas thought. "Come on! Let's hurry over and check. Can't have anyone getting hurt!" Seth said as he grabbed some socialite from a wealthy family and practically hauled him toward the commotion. The guy Seth yanked up just stared in disbelief, totally lost for words. 'Seriously, what is happening right now?' the guy thought, utterly confused. Bernard's face went ice cold, and his security team snapped to attention. But Stella just shrugged lazily and said, "Whatever, let's go see.

Not like we've got anything better to do." She gave a light chuckle. "Not like we're busy or anything," she added, sounding totally laid-back. 3/4 Chapter 488 Sophie Is Abo Editorial Board Editorial Board Our editorial team works behind the scenes to refine each chapter, maintain consistency, and deliver the best reading experience.