Too Late She Already Married Mr. Right (Sophia) novel Chapter 173

Chapter 173

Even worse, a length of rebar had impaled his stomach. This was exactly what every rescuer feared most happening during a mission.

Tears instantly ran down Sophia’s face as she gently tried to soothe the boy.

Sophia said, her voice soft but unwavering, “Don’t be afraid. We’re going to get you out. Just hold on, okay?

Don’t be scared.”

The rescue team rushed in with a power saw and hydraulic cutters. Sophia stepped aside, letting the specialists get to work.

But she wasn’t about to take a break. Without missing a beat, she hurried over to another area and threw herself back into shifting concrete.

Every second dragged by, and then, suddenly, a wave of cheers went up. The boy was finally freed from the rubble and rushed onto a stretcher.

Sophia only spared a quick glance, her heart pounding, before throwing herself right back into the urgent rescue work–she wasn’t going to stop now.

Richard couldn’t help but be moved by her unyielding grit.

Some people were born into privilege, some had real integrity–and Sophia was definitely the second kind.

No matter what she did, she just made it look magnetic.

Richard thought to himself, ‘Back then, not waiting for her to wake up… probably my biggest regret ever.

But hey–maybe it’s not too late after all.’

They’d been going nonstop nearly all night, braving aftershocks that kept shaking the ground, but somehow, they managed to save more than twenty kids from beneath the debris.

By the time it was over, Sophia was spent–she dropped onto a slab of concrete, chugging water and barely able to catch her breath.

She’d wanted to keep pushing herself, but the rescue team wouldn’t have it–they pulled her out and made her take a breather whether she liked it or not.

Deep down, Sophia knew that if she passed out up there, she’d just be one more problem for the team to deal with.

Someone d ed down beside her, and Sophia instinctively turned to look.

Richard’s black shirt was streaked with dust, and his pants and shoes were coated in a thick layer of grime,

Messy as he was, he still had that natural grace about him–and honestly, it was just unfair how good–looking he remained.

She handed him the water. “Here, have some.”

Richard took it, tipped his head back, and gulped down the last of it.

He kept the empty bottle in his hand and glanced at Sophia. “You tired?” he asked.

Sophia shook her head. “Not really. What about you?”

Richard couldn’t help wincing at her formal tone. “Come on, after everything we’ve just been through side by side, you don’t need to be so formal with me. You’re making me feel like some old grandpa or something.”

Sophia’s cheeks flushed bright red. “I didn’t mean it like that. I’m just used to talking that way.”

“Then how about you drop all that formality and treat me like a friend? Deal?” Richard teased, riding the wave of her fluster.

Sophia arched an eyebrow. ‘Guess that means I’ve really made it, huh? Making friends with the richest guy in the world–talk about moving up in life.

“O–Okay.” Sophia stammered, still a bit flustered.

Richard curved his lips into a teasing smile. “Let’s hear you call me by my name, just once.”

Sophia just stared blankly, lost for words.

How should I even call him? Full name is just way too formal… but just ‘Richard? That feels almost too bold, almost like we’re secretly close or something. Sophia thought, stuck between awkward and embarrassed.

Just as Sophia was caught up in her own awkward moment, a shout erupted from deep within the ruins. “Hey, we need some hands over here–there are a few kids still stuck inside!”

Sophia snatched up her battered gloves and flicked her helmet light on. “Come on, let’s help them out!”

Saying it, she charged toward the rubble, tugging her gloves on as she ran, like something was hot on her heels.

Richard watched her take off like she was running from a ghost, shaking his head with an exasperated laugh.

Seriously, am I that intimidating?‘ he thought, half amused and half at a loss.

Sophia spent the whole night helping out on the rubble, and before long, Annabelle joined the rescue, too.

By the time the sun finally came up and some townspeople arrived to pitch in, the rescue team ended up practically dragging Sophia and the others off so they’d finally get some rest.