Sophie didn’t know if the online rumors were true, but she had seen a famous female celebrity coming and going from Alaric Blackwood’s place with her own eyes—the woman even stayed there.

To be able to do yoga so naturally and comfortably in Alaric Blackwood’s home, their relationship must have been quite intimate.

She wasn’t in a position to judge. After all, they had already registered their marriage. She had dug this hole for herself, she had proposed the agreement, and besides, Alaric Blackwood treated her very well.

"Mom, don’t worry. We’re doing fine."

Hearing her say that, a hint of a smile appeared in Mandy Halloway’s eyes.

Wiping her tears, she said to Sophie, "We’ll go to the mall in a bit. Pick out whatever gold jewelry you want. As a daughter-in-law of the Blackwood Family, you won’t be mistreated in any way."

Especially with all of Alaric Blackwood’s scandals in the tabloids; even Mandy Halloway didn’t know which were true and which were false.

If they were true, she could only hope that Alaric Blackwood would rein himself in a little after marriage and treat Sophie well.

She gently patted the back of Sophie’s hand. "Wait for me a moment. I’m going to pay the bill."

She stood up, grabbed her purse, and went to the front desk to pay. Then she and Sophie left the restaurant together.

There were many large malls nearby, but Sophie specifically chose Dragonstone Mall.

The place was a hot commodity. For some unknown reason, several public companies were recently interested in acquiring it. The Blackwood Group was one of them, and the most powerful contender at that.

Staring at the splendid, glittering decor and the high-end brand-name jewelry displayed on the counters, Sophie felt like she was going blind from the sheer brilliance.

Mandy led her deeper into the mall, stopping at several brand-name counters but pointedly bypassing Wynn Jade Jewelry. She could sense that Mandy was not very fond of Wynn Jade Jewelry, a subsidiary of the Kane Group.

"If you see a style you like, just ask the sales associate to get it for you."

Sophie was overwhelmed by the choices. Just as she picked one out, she suddenly heard a familiar voice.

"My boyfriend is on another level now. His net worth has shot up; he buys me whatever jewelry I want without a second thought."

It was a woman’s voice.

Sophie looked over toward the sound and saw Yara Valentine with a short-haired woman. The two of them were in front of the Wynn Jade Jewelry counter, picking out accessories.

Sophie didn’t recognize the woman next to Yara Valentine, but she was certain those words had come from Yara’s mouth.

"So mysterious. All I ever hear is how amazing and capable your boyfriend is. When are you going to bring him out for a meal and introduce us?" the short-haired woman teased.

"Maybe when there’s a chance. He’s very busy."

"Oh right, Yara, you mentioned last time that your company is about to be acquired by a major corporation?"

"Yeah. Guess which public company it is?"

The short-haired woman shook her head.

Yara Valentine pointed a finger up at the ’Wynn Jade Jewelry’ logo above the counter. The short-haired woman said in surprise, "The Kane Group?"

"Keep your voice down. The specific acquisition process hasn’t started yet. This is confidential."

"So does that mean you’ll be backed by a huge company like the Kane Group and have a shot at becoming a famous designer?"

"Of course. My boyfriend promised me that as soon as the acquisition goes through, I’ll be the next designer they promote."

"Yara, don’t tell me your boyfriend is some executive at the Kane Group?"

"Not an executive, but he’s about to become one."

Yara Valentine’s face was filled with smug satisfaction.

Her words made Sophie even more suspicious that the ’boyfriend’ she was involved with was none other than Damian Morgan.

"Sophie, put it on and try it."

Mandy took Sophie’s wrist and put the bracelet, which the sales associate had handed over, on her.

Her attention returned to the present. She looked at the solid gold chain on her wrist. It didn’t have a complex design; the style was simple, elegant, and very understated.

’It was just her style.’

"Do you like it?"

"I do."

"This one, then?"

She nodded.

After that, they visited a few more jewelry counters to complete the gold set. Then, she followed Mandy out of Dragonstone Mall and went to a department store next door to look at women’s clothing.

Mandy was incredibly generous, buying her several trendy, brand-name outfits for the season in one go. She didn’t even blink when she swiped her card.

Finally, with their arms full of shopping bags, they loaded up the car. Mandy had to go meet her wealthy friends for a scheduled mahjong game.

She dropped Mandy off at a teahouse, went upstairs with her, greeted the other wealthy ladies, and then stayed with them in the private room. Since she didn’t know how to play mahjong, she couldn’t follow the game. It was dreadfully boring, so she ended up leaning against the sofa in the room and drowsily fell asleep.

In a daze, she felt a nudge on her shoulder.

"Sophie, wake up."

She opened her heavy, sleepy eyes and saw it was Mandy calling her.

She didn’t know how long she had slept, but the sky outside had already turned dark.

The other wealthy ladies were still in the private room, but they were one player short at the mahjong table.

Mandy was standing in front of the sofa, leaning over and looking at her with a smile in her eyes. "Still groggy from your nap?"

Seeing her dazed expression, still slumped on the sofa with a faint impression on her cheek from sleeping, looking both silly and cute, Mandy couldn’t help but let out a "PFFT" of laughter.

She patted Sophie’s head. "I called Alaric. He’s coming to pick you up and take you to dinner."

Sophie scrambled up. "He’s coming?"

"He’s already here, downstairs. Go on, go find him."

Sophie rubbed her dizzy head. Just as she picked up her purse, Mandy stopped her again. "Let me borrow your car. I’ll have the driver fill it up with gas and bring it back to you tomorrow."

Sophie said, "Oh," and took the car keys out of her purse, handing them to Mandy.

"Go on."

Mandy took the car keys and returned to the mahjong table to continue the battle.

Sophie hurried downstairs.

Outside the teahouse, she saw Alaric Blackwood waiting next to a black Maybach. The man was in a formal suit with a black overcoat draped over his shoulders, holding a phone to his ear as he talked.

Alaric Blackwood had an exceptional air about him. Even leaning lazily against the car door, not even standing up straight, his noble aura wasn’t the least bit diminished.

Seeing her come out of the teahouse, he ended his call with a few quick words, walked over to the passenger side, and opened the door for her.

After getting in the car, before Alaric Blackwood could pull the seatbelt over for her, she beat him to it, grabbing the strap and buckling it herself.

Alaric Blackwood gave a thoughtful smile, closed her door, and got into the driver’s seat.

The car started up quickly and, before long, stopped outside a barbecue restaurant.

The place was very famous. A lot of internet influencers had reviewed it, its reputation and food were both excellent, and business was booming.

It took Alaric Blackwood nearly two minutes just to find a parking spot.

After parking the car, the man unbuckled his seatbelt. He didn’t get out right away. Instead, he reached out a long arm, his slender fingers pinching Sophie’s chin and tilting her face up.

She faced Alaric Blackwood as the man stared at the side of her cheek, his thumb stroking the skin. "What happened here?"

"Hm?"

"Did you get hit again? Who did it?"

The impression on Sophie’s face from sleeping hadn’t completely faded yet, leaving a red mark that Alaric Blackwood mistook for a slap mark.

Realizing what he meant, Sophie waved her hands and explained, "No, that’s not it. I accidentally fell asleep in the private room."

’The sound of shuffling mahjong tiles is surprisingly soothing.’

"You slept on your front?"

Sophie was a little embarrassed and gave a muffled "mhm."

"My mom and those ladies are loud enough to wake the dead when they play mahjong, and you actually managed to fall asleep?"

Alaric Blackwood laughed. "I’m really impressed by your ability to sleep through anything."

He pictured what Sophie must have looked like sleeping and, on a whim, asked, "Want to stay out tonight?"