Chapter 440
When Tristan arrived at Wisteria Apartments, Sophie had also just arrived home. He brought takeaway dinner as he knew she might not want to eat out after busying herself for the whole day. Thus, he decided to get takeout without informing her in advance.
“Go wash your hands. It’s time to have dinner.” Tristan was setting the table. “Susan is busy tonight, so I bought some food.”
“Oh, Susan did tell me she’s busy today.” Susan asked for a day off, and they were too busy to cook dinner themselves.
Throughout dinner, Sophie seemed preoccupied.
“What’s the matter? Did something happen in TS Entertainment?” Tristan asked.
“No, it’s about Mark. It turns out he’s the young heir of Emerald Gang!” Sophie revealed. She wasn’t about to hide the truth from him.
“Oh, you’ve already figured it out.” Tristan could barely hide his surprise. Sophie’s good, huh? She can investigate everything herself without needing my help.
“What does that mean? Did you also find out about it?”
“I know you’re concerned about Mark, so I told Felix to investigate him. Will you blame me?” Tristan asked.
Sophie shook her head.
She knew he was only trying to help out and would never blame him.
“No!” she answered. “I know he’s the young heir of Emerald Gang, but I still don’t know why he’s leaving the band.”
Indeed, some people couldn’t escape destiny no matter how hard they tried.
Perhaps Mark was one of them.
He couldn’t escape from the fact that he was the young heir of Emerald Gang.
Mark was carrying a lot of weight that he just couldn’t give up easily.
“All right, stop mulling over the matter. If he doesn’t want to go back, no one can force him to do so. We are his strong backup,” Tristan assured her.
That was something Mark had to decide for himself.
“Yeah. I know.”
Tristan was around, so Sophie didn’t need to worry about many things.
“Eat up. You’ve lost weight recently,” Tristan urged. He grew increasingly displeased at how her weight decreased in the past few days.
“I know. I’m just pretty exhausted lately,” came Sophie’s answer.
Rehearsing took up a lot of her energy.
Besides, she had to tend to various matters regarding TS Entertainment. It was no wonder she felt worn out.
“You’ll begin your university life soon. By the way, have you decided which university to apply to?”
“Yes.”
“What is it?”
If she decides to head to Anglandur, I need to deal with my affairs locally. I will never let her head there alone. Nicholas is there, after all.
Despite not knowing her past with Nicholas, Tristan wasn’t about to let Sophie head there alone.
“Jipsdale University,” Sophie replied. She wanted to stay in the country.
Tristan was touched to hear her answer.
“Is it because of me? Sophie, you don’t have to change anything for me. I hope you’ll make the choice that you want,” he said.
She shouldn’t make do, for this matter concerns her tertiary education. I can follow her to Anglandur. It will only take four years for her to graduate. I can spare that much time.
Sophie told him, “It doesn’t matter where I study. All universities are the same to me.”
She was good at self-learning, so it didn’t matter which university she applied to.
Nevertheless, she would have to reject Barney’s invitation.
“Are you sure it’s not because of me?” Tristan refused to believe her.
“Well, you played a part in my decision-making, but you weren’t the most crucial reason. Studying abroad isn’t the only option, right?”
“Okay!” Tristan nodded. He was satisfied to hear that he was part of the reason she decided to study at a local university.
She cares about me enough to consider me when she makes a decision. That’s enough.
Tristan was pretty satisfied with the current situation.
The next day, Sophie went to TS Entertainment. When only Mark and she were around, she decided it was time for them to talk.
“I called you yesterday, but you didn’t pick up. Where did you go?” she asked nonchalantly.
“I had some personal stuff to deal with,” Mark told her.
He didn’t know that she had discovered his background.
“Mark, be honest with me. I know your identity now!” Sophie said. She did not intend to keep it a secret anymore.
Mark had no idea what to say.
“Sophie, I didn’t hide it from you on purpose. My identity has always been a secret,” he explained.
His father had kept their relationship a secret to protect him.
“I know,” Sophie assured him.
There were many things he couldn’t decide on his own.
She asked, “Do you want to take over Emerald Gang?” That was the only thing she was concerned about.
Sophie might be the only person who cares whether I’m willing. The rest don’t even care.
“Well, that’s my responsibility. My father is the leader of Emerald Gang, so I can’t just ignore it,” he said.
After all, it concerned many people’s livelihoods. His father was no longer young, so it was time for him to step down from the position.
What would happen to his father’s subordinates after the old man’s retirement? That was one of his concern.
Mark wasn’t someone who was able to act recklessly.
His father was generous enough to allow him to venture into the entertainment industry for the past few years.
“Don’t think that way. You’re not the only one who can lead the gang. If you don’t want to return, we can find someone else suitable to manage the organization,” Sophie told him.
Sometimes, things might be extremely complicated, but there were times when things were reasonably simple.
“My father won’t want me to do that. Emerald Gang is everything to him, so he won’t give it up to someone else,” Mark revealed.
He truly didn’t want to run Emerald Gang but had no other choice.
I must protect the people by my side. I don’t want them to get hurt. At all.
“What about your own dream? Are you going to give up? Don’t tell me you’re satisfied. I know how much you love singing,” Sophie countered.
He had a passion for singing. That was precisely why he persevered for so long.
Mark said nothing.
She’s right. My dream is for The Wheelers to become the best rock band in Chanaea and even the whole world. The Wheelers is my dream! I found my dream, the love of my life, and my comrades there.
Sophie offered, “If it’s because of your father, I can talk to him.”
“It doesn’t matter who talks to him. There’s no way he’ll change his mind,” Mark replied despondently. His father was a stubborn and vicious man. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to rein in Emerald Gang for that long. “Sophie, promise me that you won’t take the risk. I don’t want you to get involved in this,” Mark pleaded.
Sophie shook her head. “Mark, we’re comrades.”
“That’s exactly why I don’t want to drag you into my mess,” he insisted. He cherished all members of The Wheelers, so he didn’t want any of them to get hurt. “Promise me you won’t go to my dad. I can handle my own matters. I’ve never asked about your past, right?”
