?<strong>Chapter 733:</strong>


    Thankfully, it was only some lightweight cardboard boxes, not heavy objects.


    There it was, the button. He pressed it, and a hidden door swung open. A flicker of hope ignited in yton’s eyes as he scrambled toward the newly revealed doorway.


    Sophie, noticing Elma’s prolonged absence, went in search of her. She found Elma curled up in a corner, sobbing quietly.


    “Elma, what’s wrong? Don’t cry,” Sophie cooed, gently lifting Elma and wiping away her tears.


    Elma avoided Sophie’s gaze, her tears flowing freely. Sophie paused, a thoughtful frown creasing her brow. “Did your mom give you a hard time again? Don’t be afraid. You’re safe at my house. She wouldn’t dare bully you here.”


    “No. It’s not like that.” Elma shook her head vigorously.


    Sophie sighed softly and patted Elma’s head. “Alright, sweetheart. I won’t pry anymore. Just please don’t cry,” she said gently.


    Elma took a deep breath, forcing herself to say, “Sophie, could you go out with me to buy something?”


    “You want to go shopping?” Sophie asked, a hint of surprise in her voice. “What do you need? I’m sure we have it here. And if not, I can always send one of the staff to fetch it for you.”


    Elma shook her head firmly. “No, I want to go myself.”


    Sophie didn’t ask any more questions. She simply smiled and said, “Alright, I’ll go with you.”


    Sophie and Elma were just about to leave when they bumped into Calvin.


    Calvin gave them a puzzled look. “Where are you two off to?”


    Sophie said, “Elma wants to go shopping, so I’m tagging along with her.”


    Calvin perked up immediately. “Oh, then I’lle with you.”


    “No, that won’t be necessary,” Elma interjected sharply, shaking her head. “Sophie’spany is all I need. You should stay here.”


    Calvin, baffled, pressed on. “But why?”


    Elma, clutching Sophie’s hand, struggled to find her words. “I just need Sophie right now.”


    Sophie, feeling a mix of sympathy and slight amusement, patted Elma on the head. “It’s okay, Calvin. You should stay here. Our mom will be back any minute now. It’s best if you wait for her.”


    With a reluctant nod, Calvin agreed. “Alright.”


    Just as they were about to leave, Elma halted and turned back to face Calvin, leaving him and Sophie confused with her parting words. “Calvin, don’t forget, we’re leaving through the back door.”


    Calvin didn’t give it much thought and simply nodded. “Okay.”


    Elma turned around, her features contorted by conflicting emotions. Cara had specifically instructed her to entice both Sophie and Calvin outdoors.


    Yet, Elma harbored her own agenda. She persuaded Calvin to remain indoors, leaving him with the hint that she and Sophie had slipped out the back. This information woulde to mindter if he realized Sophie was missing. That was all she could manage under the circumstances.


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