Mr. CEO's Substitute Bride-Chapter 970 - 966: How Are You Even More Pitiful Than a Stray Cat

"What? Aren’t you going to invite me in?" Nicholas Croft asked, his expression gentle. He was carrying quite a few gift boxes. For his first visit, Nicholas was dressed in formal attire, with a plush coat over a dark suit, a tie, and short hair neatly combed back.

"Uncle, why are you here?" Sophie Foster looked up at the graceful man with a small face, still standing at the door without stepping aside.

"My arms are sore. Are you planning to make your uncle stand here and talk?"

Unexpectedly dropping by, Nicholas thought Sophie was worried her parents would scold her, so he purposely raised his voice a bit.

"Oh, please come in."

There was no surprise on Sophie’s face from seeing Nicholas again. Instead, she kept her lips pressed together, holding the handle while standing at the side to make way for Nicholas.

Stepping into the entrance, Nicholas didn’t move further, seemingly waiting for Sophie to get him some slippers. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

"Oh, just wear your shoes inside, there’s no spare slippers at home."

Glancing at the old, worn-out floor tiles inside, Nicholas didn’t stand on ceremony, striding in with his leather shoes and placing the gift boxes on the small glass coffee table, asking curiously, "Where are your uncle and aunt?"

Closing the door, Sophie slowly walked back and said, "It’s just me at home."

Upon hearing there was no one else at home, Nicholas made himself comfortable, sitting down in the small sofa with his pants legs lifted, and asked inquisitively, "Are you venturing in City T alone?"

Sophie shook her head, puffing up her cheeks, "I’ve been living in City T all along."

"Then what about your family?" Nicholas asked even more puzzled, "Did they agree for you to live outside alone?"

At the mention of family, Sophie’s expression visibly saddened, murmuring, "My parents passed away, so it’s just me."

Nicholas...

He always thought her family situation wasn’t too good, but he didn’t expect this...

"You’ve been living on your own all this time? Since when?"

Letting out a soft breath, Sophie unconsciously clutched the collar of her pajamas with both hands, saying, "Last year," then puffing out her little face, looking at Nicholas, her small face appearing very youthful without the cover of heavy foundation, like a high school student not yet graduated, yet at such a young age, she has to step into society early to support herself.

Nicholas extended an arm, grabbed Sophie’s wrist, pulling her to sit beside him, then glanced around at their surroundings, asking, "Is this the house your parents left you?"

Sophie shook her head, "No, it’s rented."

A sudden feeling of tightness in his chest, Nicholas feigned a lighthearted smile, tapping Sophie’s nose, "Little thing, you’re even more pitiful than a stray cat."

Instinctively, Sophie retreated to avoid Nicholas’s finger, jumping to another question, "Uncle, how did you know I live here?"

"Well..." Nicholas stretched the tone, obviously not saying he had secretly followed her, so he humorously replied, "I calculated it with my fingers and knew you live here."

"Liar!" Sophie laughed, pouting, "You definitely followed me secretly."

"How could I?" Nicholas would never admit to doing something so low, raising a handsome eyebrow in denial, but Sophie was full of disdain, saying, "Uncle, don’t deny it, I know I’m a head-turner, loved by all, even flowers bloom when they see me, so being secretly followed is normal, nothing to be ashamed of."

"Little thing, so confident!" Nicholas chuckled helplessly, pinching Sophie’s chin, as Sophie arrogantly flicked her long hair back, "Of course, it’s the truth."