Chapter 493
“Ysabelle, how was the preparation for your album while I was gone?”
“I was busy taking care of Felix at the hospital, so there are still some outstanding issues. But don’t you worry, Sophie, as I’m now fully focused with Felix out of the hospital.”
Fundamentally, there weren’t any problems, and they were ready to start promoting it.
“Why don’t we celebrate Ysabelle’s new album with a bottle of red wine?” Sarah suggested.
“Sure!”
Ysabelle felt that it was a terrific idea.
“I’ll go get it.”
“You gals have really made yourselves at home,” Tristan lamented.
These two ladies don’t know their place at all! How dare they come here and take Sophie from me?
Ysabelle then gave Sophie a pitiful look.
“Sophie, ever since I have gotten to know you, I have fallen out of favor with Uncle Tristan.”
Sarah added, “Tristan, don’t behave this way. It saddens us when you do that.”
“Instead of clinging onto Sophie, the two of you should find someone to fall in love with since you have nothing better to do.” Tristan didn’t mince his words at all.
“We’re not the kind to ignore Sophie even if we have found the love of our lives.” No man was able to come between their friendship.
It wasn’t until it was eleven at night that Ysabelle and Sarah said a reluctant goodbye.
“Sophie, I’ll get you help if you have trouble taking care of him all by yourself.” Sarah was concerned about Sophie overextending herself.
“It’s fine. I can manage.”
All this while, she disliked having outsiders at home. The only reason she accepted the cook hired by Tristan previously was that she was sitting for the university entrance exam.
Now that she was essentially home all the time, a housekeeper wasn’t necessary.
“All right then, I’ll leave it to you. Feel free to call me if you need anything.” Given how demanding Tristan was about food, she was genuinely worried that Sophie would fail to cope.
“Sophie, don’t push yourself, all right?” Ysabelle was equally concerned with Sophie looking increasingly haggard over the last few days.
“Okay.”
It wasn’t until the two ladies were out of sight that Tristan was finally happy.
When he sat on the couch with no intention of going to bed, Sophie knitted her brows.
“Didn’t I tell you that you need to be resting more?” In fact, I just told him to go upstairs.
“I’m fine. I’m not tired at all.”
Tristan felt his heart ache when he saw how drained she looked.
Am I being selfish? There wasn’t a need for me to come here in the first place. I’m adding to her burden by doing so, as she has to tend to me.
“Sophie, I appreciate what you’ve done. You must be exhausted from the last few days.”
After settling down right beside him, she gently pinched his chin as she replied, “I’m fine. Your recovery is all that matters.”
“Mmm-hmm.”
My carelessness this time not only got me grievously wounded but also caused her to worry. Going forward, this will never happen again.
“In that case, you should go to bed now.”
“Okay.”
As The Wheelers were public figures, they didn’t visit Tristan in the hospital despite learning of his injury.
Instead, they came over to Wisteria Apartments once they heard of his return.
Since they were Sophie’s friends, Tristan was obliged to entertain them.
“Mr. Tristan, how’s your injury?” Mark asked curiously.
“I’m almost fully recovered. Thanks for asking.”
As both men were not the chatty type, there was no chance for the conversation to even warm up.
Sunny, too, had little to say ever since Mark quit the band. It was even worse for the remaining three as they barely knew Tristan.
Fortunately, despite the lack of conversation, it didn’t feel awkward at all.
Sunny asked, “Sophie, you look tired! Is it too much work for you? If it is, you should hire someone to help you.”
As a best friend, he naturally cared a lot about her.
“I can manage. There’s no need to worry about me.” Now that she was home, she managed to rejuvenate after a good night’s sleep the day before.
“You’re not cut out to care for someone, so don’t force yourself!” At the end of the day, Sophie is still a young girl. Nursing someone back to health should be done by professionals. Mark couldn’t agree more.
“I understand, but I’m fine. There’s no need to fret,” Sophie replied with a smile before getting up to serve them drinks.
However, Sunny—having none of it—sprang to his feet to help her.
“Just stay where you are. We’ll serve ourselves.” It’s not like we hardly know each other.
Nevertheless, Sophie still poured five glasses of water and had Sunny bring them over.
“Mark, how are you coping with the Emerald Gang?” Due to how busy she was, Sophie had no time to check in on him. He probably isn’t used to it yet.
The mere mention of Emerald Gang gave Mark a headache.
Given that it was common for gangs to wage turf wars against each other, the Emerald Gang became a target due to him being new—an issue that caused him a lot of grief.
In spite of that, this was his responsibility which he didn’t want to trouble Sophie with.
“Everything’s going smoothly. There’s nothing to be concerned about.”
Now that she’s swamped with work, I don’t need her to worry about my affairs.
Tristan offered, “Mark, if there’s anything you need, feel free to let me know.”
He was, after all, well acquainted with many people of the underworld.
Nonetheless, Mark shook his head.
“Thanks, but no thanks. This is the path I have chosen, and I will walk it myself.” Mark rejected any help that was offered.
Since there is no one I can rely on all the time, I need to do this myself.
Sophie—cognizant that Mark was upset—refrained from commenting further. Once Tristan has recovered, I’ll talk to Emerald Gang and Quinton myself.
Even though Sunny and the others were clueless about Emerald Gang and its affairs, they still felt the urge to help Mark.
“Mark, you have to tell us if we can help you in any way.” As they were the best of friends, sharing his burden was the least they could do.
“Sophie, why don’t you get Xandra to find them another lead singer? I don’t want the group to break up because of me.”
He didn’t mind someone else being the lead singer.
All that mattered was that the band could still continue playing.
Sunny interrupted, “Mark, what are you saying? The Wheelers only have one lead singer—you! There’s no way we would agree for anyone else to take your place.”
His words saddened Mark, for it was he who declared that their band would stay together forever.
And yet, he was the one who ended up leaving.
Mark shook his head.
“Sunny, can you stop being so stubborn? All of you have a passion for music. It would be a shame to give it up just because I quit. Sophie, help them find a lead singer. I really don’t mind.” After all, I was the one who abandoned the band.
“Mark, you’re the only lead singer whom we’re willing to accept,” the two other members added, reiterating their refusal to accept anyone else.
