Chapter 483

Edmund raised a brow, his lips curling into a knowing smile. "If you ask him yourself, you might get the truth. But given your current standing, do you even care about the people from your past? For all you know, he could be a withered old man with only a few breaths left in him."

His words struck Evelyn like a sudden gust of wind, freezing her in place.

"And he was the one who demanded the divorce," Edmund continued, tilting his head. "Do you really want to reopen that door?"

Sophia was still working at the same café. The morning rush had faded, leaving only the occasional customer. She didn’t bother looking up when the bell chimed. "What can I get you?"

"Latte."

Her fingers stilled. That voice—she knew it instantly. Sophia lifted her gaze, a small smile forming when she saw Lucas standing there. "You? Here?"

His brows knitted together. "Can’t I order coffee?"

Sophia punched in the order without missing a beat. "Of course you can."

She turned to prepare the drink, her movements practiced and smooth. When she slid the cup across the counter, Lucas didn’t take it immediately.

"To go," he said flatly.

Sophia retrieved the cup and placed it in a holder. Lucas leaned against the counter, studying her. "Still no contact?"

She exhaled sharply, irritation flickering in her eyes. "No."

He lingered, watching as she handed him the coffee. Just as he reached for it, a notification lit up her phone screen beside the register.

Sophia snatched it up, glaring at him. "Are you spying on me now?"

Lucas smirked. "Why so defensive? Seeing someone?"

She scoffed, typing a quick reply. "Yes, actually. A sweet, charming guy who actually wants to be around me."

Lucas’s gaze darkened. "Then you should call off our engagement first."

Sophia didn’t even glance up. "Sure. Go tell Lillian and my father. If they agree, I’ll happily sign the papers."

He let out a dry laugh. "Why don’t you tell them?"

Their engagement had been nothing more than a political arrangement—a merger of two powerful families. Lucas hadn’t protested because, frankly, Sophia was the only one who might know where Evelyn had disappeared to.

His mother and her father had orchestrated the match. He hadn’t resisted—not because he wanted it, but because he dreaded the endless parade of socialite women who only saw his name and fortune.

Sophia was different. She didn’t cling to him. She didn’t scheme. If anything, she avoided him. And that made her the least unbearable option.

Maybe he was just lazy. Maybe he didn’t want to deal with the hassle of rejecting another dozen gold-diggers. Either way, he’d never bothered to end things.

But he knew the day would come when they’d have to make it official. And the thought of being shackled to a stranger—even one as indifferent as Sophia—left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Sophia met his gaze. "Why don’t you handle it, then?"

Lucas shrugged. "Do I look like I have that kind of power?"

She rolled her eyes. "Then stop bothering me. Go away." She turned her back to him, typing furiously.

Why is Zoe suddenly asking about Nathan?

That was the real question. Sophia hadn’t spared Nathan a thought in three years—not after what he’d done to Evelyn.

But now, the past was knocking. And she wasn’t sure if she should answer.