Too Late She Already Married Mr. Right (Sophia) novel Chapter 171

Chapter 171

Richard unwrapped the bread and took a bite. Sure, it didn’t hold a candle to the freshly baked kind, but he didn’t seem to mind at all.

He went on, “My oldest brother’s a diplomat, my second brother’s a major general, and then there’s me— heading off to some ‘imperialist‘ country to chase the capitalist dream.

“As far as my dad was concerned, studying abroad was pretty much as good as selling out the family.”

Edmund always wanted Richard to get into politics.

But Richard wasn’t interested in any of that—he was all about chasing adventure and living for the thrill.

Back in those years on Wallinton, he’d seen people strike it rich overnight, and just as many lose everything in a flash.

He loved that ruthless, bloodless money game–it was all cutthroat cards on the table, no actual gore, but the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Especially when those arrogant foreigners had no choice but to bow down to him. Now that was the best feeling ever.

Sophia tilted her head, mulling it over. “Honestly, Mr. Edmund Sterling doesn’t look like one of those old- timers who refuse to budge.”

Richard just smirked. “That’s only because you’ve still got your filter on. Spend more time with him and you’ll see he’s world–class stubborn.”

Sophia broke out in a chuckle. “I really should’ve recorded you just now. If you ever try to mess with me, I’ll play it back for him so he can set you straight.”

Richard’s gaze suddenly locked onto her, his features bathed in the shadowy glow of night–a lingering tenderness flickered between them, making the moment feel dangerously intimate.

“I wouldn’t ever bully you,” he whispered, his promise hanging in the air between them.

Sophia blinked, startled by how intensely he was looking at her. Flustered, she tore her eyes away, doing her best not to let her nerves show.

The

way

Richard looked at her was almost too gentle–so overwhelmingly tender, she felt like she might actually get swept away by it.

No way, I’m probably just imagining it,‘ she told herself, shaking her head to clear the thought.

She twisted open the milk and handed it to Richard. “Mr. Sterling, have some with the bread–it’ll help.”

The bread they’d brought was pretty dry, and eating it plain was honestly a struggle.

Richard gave the bottle of water in his hand a little shake. “No worries, I’ll just stick with this.”

Sophia flashed a smile and took a swig of milk, but just then, the ground began to tremble again.

Her face went pale. “It’s an aftershock.”

This one was no light tremor.

She sprang to her feet. “Mr. Sterling, I’m going to check if the rescue team needs any help.”

Without waiting for Richard’s reply, she raced outside.

Richard didn’t have time for leisurely bites–he stuffed the rest of the bread down in record time and dashed out after Sophia.

At the entrance of the town, the town leader, Joseph Chaucer, was busy helping organize everyone for evacuation. People hurried to leave any buildings that looked like they could collapse again, rushing toward safer ground.

Sophia squeezed against the flow of people, moving right up to Joseph. “Mr. Chaucer!”

Joseph looked surprised to see her. “Sophia, there’s an aftershock! Why are you coming this way instead of heading out?”

Sophia said, “There are still a bunch of students trapped in the rubble. Now that everyone’s evacuating, those kids are basically left in serious danger.”

“There’s nothing we can do about it for now,” Joseph replied. “The rescue team’s still searching, but we need to look out for ourselves first. Once the aftershocks are over, we’ll go back and help them.”

Sophia had been working nonstop with the rescue team at the collapsed school dorm all day, helping to pull out nearly a hundred students.

Since the building was pretty tall, most of the kids didn’t get seriously hurt.

But with the five–story dorm building crashing down, a lot of kids just couldn’t get out in time.

Aftershocks had hit several times today, and the rescue situation was looking pretty grim.

“Mr. Chaucer, we can’t wait! Every extra second those kids are stuck means more danger–I’ve got to go in and help with the rescue team,” Sophia blurted out, anxious.

She knew that every heartbeat could make the difference between life and death right now.

Joseph sighed, shaking his head. “It’s getting dark and there’s danger everywhere, Sophia. I get that you want to save them, but you also have to think about your own safety.”

Sophia nodded, “Got it, Mr. Chaucer, Hand me a headlamp–I’m heading over there now.”

Joseph caught the determination in her eyes. He thought about trying to stop her, but knew she wasn’t the

kind to listen.

So he just gave her a headlamp and a flashlight. “Sophia, the rescue’s important, but take care of yourself,

okay?”

Sophia said, “I will. Thanks, Mr. Chaucer.”

She put on the headlamp, flicked on the flashlight, and without another word, ran straight toward the school.