Chapter 843
“Are you sure about this?” Bertram could not explain why, but his gut instinct continued to cast doubts over Charles’ suggestion. “I didn’t offend you earlier, did I, Mr. Quigley? You’re not digging my grave here, right?”
Sure, Bertram may have never been in a relationship, but he was no fool.
Charles merely retorted, “Don’t you know how many women I’ve dated in the past? Trust me; my plan is foolproof. In any case, I can’t force you to change your mind if you don’t believe me.”
Alas, Bertram was all out of options. Charles’ idea was his only and best shot.
“Fine. I’ll take that advice.”
When they finally sat down to eat, Bertram boldly sat beside Sophie.
He launched into a string of praises. “Ms. Tanner, Mr. Tristan has waxed poetic about you for a long time. He clearly likes you very much! I must admit, I’ve never met a young woman as beautiful as you in my life!”
As he spoke, he carefully observed Sophie’s expression.
“Oh, really?” Sophie replied curtly while glancing at Bertram. This was actually her first time meeting him.
All she knew of Bertram was that he was Tristan’s right-hand man. For reasons unknown, she had never met him until that day.
She shot Tristan a questioning look.
What is your right-hand man up to?
Bertram realized Sophie’s disinterest in him. Neither the length nor quality of his conversation could capture her attention.
He promptly changed tack and stopped speaking. Instead, he would use his actions to show his adoration for Sophie.
He began piling her plate high with food.
His behavior caused Tristan’s frown to deepen. What is Bertram trying to do?
Curiosity and irritation got the better of Tristan, and he interrogated his right-hand man, “What are you up to, Bertram?”
Bertram’s hand froze in the middle of adding another morsel of food to Sophie’s plate.
“Mr. Tristan, I was just so enamored by Ms. Tanner that I felt compelled to do some nice things for her!” Bertram replied frantically.
Mr. Tristan’s expression is totally off! Mr. Quigley can’t seriously be sabotaging me, right?
A smile curved Tristan’s lips, though it merely heightened Bertram’s fear.
The poor man was near tears as he sputtered, “Did I make a mistake, Mr. Tristan? I really didn’t mean anything else by my actions!”
Charles failed to stop amused laughter from bubbling out of him.
Tristan glanced at his friend in realization. Charles must be responsible for Bertram’s weird actions!
He said, “Charles, it seems you’d like to stay behind in Fandar too. I’m more than happy to make that happen! Both of you can stay here and settle the rest of the matters.”
The smile on Charles’ face froze in response.
I was just pulling a small prank. Did he have to overreact like this?
Charles quickly apologized, “I’m sorry, Mr. Tristan. I swear it. Please have mercy.”
There are still plenty of hotties waiting for me in Chanaea. I can’t waste my prime in a place like this.
Meanwhile, Tristan summoned a waiter and got Sophie a clean plate, which he proceeded to fill with food.
At the same time, he asked coolly, “Bertram, still thinking of stealing my girlfriend?”
Bertram’s heart almost stopped beating.
He exclaimed, “Mr. Tristan, this is all a misunderstanding! I merely wanted to get in Ms. Tanner’s good graces. Please don’t leave me here. I’m very sorry for that foolish mistake.”
Bertram also wanted nothing more than to beat Charles up for his joke.
He knew his gut instinct was on to something when he suspected Charles of pranking him.
Eager to shove the blame on Charles, Bertram added, “Mr. Quigley told me to do all this. None of this was my idea, Mr. Tristan!” Hmph! Don’t think I’m so easy to bully!
“Oh, is it? You should stay behind too, Charles!” came Tristan’s indifferent response.
Charles clearly loved flirting with danger, and there was no better way to satisfy his itch than leaving him behind to deal with the mess there.
The suggestion did not sit well with Charles, who protested, “I know I’m wrong, Mr. Tristan. Please, I was just joking around with him. I didn’t know Bertram would take it seriously.”
Bertram was struck speechless by Charles’ audacity.
Just how shameless can he get?
Alas, Tristan had already made up his mind, and it was near impossible for anyone to convince him otherwise.
Charles knew his only hope lay in Sophie. If she agreed to let him off the hook, Tristan would follow suit. He quickly turned to her and pleaded, “I messed up, Sophie. Just forgive me this one time!”
Sophie replied half-heartedly, “Ah, it’s great that you’re aware of your screw-up.”
“So what you’re saying is…” Charles trailed off, wondering if her words were a prelude to forgiveness. And perhaps she might spare me from staying behind?
She cruelly slashed his hopes by answering, “Since you’re admitting to your wrongdoing, you should readily accept the punishment that comes with it.”
Sophie added, “Why don’t you leave Charles alone here, Mr. Tristan? I truly think Bert meant well by his actions.”
Bert?
Tristan’s eyes narrowed, expressing his displeasure at his girlfriend’s rather affectionate nickname for his subordinate.
Bertram thought he might faint from the pressure of his boss’ glare.
“Sophie, I haven’t offended you recently, have I? How could you do this to me?” Charles continued to wail over his fate, though it merely earned him a smirk from Sophie.
Annoyed that Sophie was wasting time entertaining two other men instead of eating, Tristan piped up, “That’s enough. Just ignore them. Let’s eat!”
“Okay.”
Arius called just as they returned to the hotel. Some issues arose regarding the virus in Anglandur.
He and Barney were already brainstorming a solution, but they needed Sophie’s help.
Tristan worried about the toll the constant traveling would take on Sophie’s health. He muttered, “Actually, I wanted to spend a night here before flying to Anglandur.”
“It’s fine,” Sophie replied reassuringly. “The situation there is pretty dire, so we should get going. I can catch up on my sleep during the flight.”
“All right.”
Tristan’s heart ached, but he would support her decision unconditionally. He had always done so.
Charles and Bertram personally sent them to the airport.
Even as they strolled through the departure hall, Charles had not given up on begging for his freedom.
He whined, “I swear, I know how badly I’ve messed up this time, Mr. Tristan! It won’t happen again. Can’t you forgive me? I don’t want to stay here at all!”
There were no entertainment facilities in Fandar too. Charles could imagine himself forgetting all the wooing techniques from his playbook if he had to stay there for half a year.
“A year!” Tristan’s reply was firm and unyielding.
Charles was on the verge of tears.
Bertram glanced at him, secretly gleeful at how things had turned out. Serves you right for trying to sabotage me! I can’t think of a better punishment.
“I’ll leave things to you both. Oh, and remember, no one is allowed to leave without my express permission.”
With that, Tristan wrapped his arm around Sophie and led her to the airport immigration gates.
Outside the gates, Charles and Bertram turned to look at each other.
Charles muttered, “Tell me this isn’t real, Bertram. My end can’t possibly be this tragic, can it?” I don’t want to be stuck here!
Bertram glared at him and returned, “And whose fault is that? In any case, at least I won’t be too lonely now that I have our dear Mr. Quigley for company.”
Charles sorely wished to punch him in the face.
I would’ve started a fight already if I was more confident about beating him.
By then, Sophie and Tristan had boarded the plane bound for Anglandur. Tristan asked an air stewardess for a blanket and draped it across Sophie’s legs.
“Thank you.”
He was so meticulous and thoughtful that Sophie never had to worry about anything when he was around.
