285.Chapter 285


    The flowerpots, along with the soil and seedlings, were scattered at Sophie''s feet. As one of the seedlings nearly touched her, she instinctively stepped back, narrowly avoiding it.


    Then, Dn''s words hit her like a cold wave, and Sophie could no longer hide her expression. Her face immediately turned a shade of pure frustration.


    "If Dn doesn''t want to forgive me, then fine. I''ll leave."


    "Annie!"


    Sophie raised her voice sharply, forcing down her anger. "Why are you still standing there? Get those seedlings picked up,


    now!"


    Annie hurried forward, carefully gathering the seedlings. "Lady Sophie, do you want the flowerpot and soil as well?"


    "Why would I need that useless junk?" Sophie snapped. "Just go."


    Sophie shot Annie a furious re, not even sparing Dn a nce as she turned and stormed out.


    Though Dn had long seen through Sophie''s true nature, this was the first time she had truly revealed herself to him- unfiltered andpletely unapologetic.


    Or perhaps, it wasn''t that she was revealing anything new; it was just that she couldn''t hide it any longer, couldn''t suppress it anymore.


    Dn watched her leave, his expression unchanged. Once she was gone, he cast a nce at the scattered soil and fragments, then called for someone to clean up the mess before returning to his quarters.


    Dn had initially nned to leave. Had he not spotted that familiar figure on the street after leaving the Duke''s estate, he wouldn''t have learned what he did, and certainly wouldn''t havee back to this house.


    One hour earlier, Dn woke upter than Matthew. Maybe it was because he wasn''t hungry, or perhaps things were weighing on his mind, making him reluctant to wake.


    After being knocked unconscious, he had remained out for a full day and night before regaining consciousness.


    But when his gazended on the familiar canopy above him, Dn immediately stood up, ignoring the food that had been prepared, and left without hesitation.


    Thankfully, no one stopped him, and he made his way out of the Duke''s estate with ease.


    He had nned to return to his small cottage, but just as he was about to leave Hasen City, his eyesnded on a figure that left him utterly stunned.


    "Mki?" Dn couldn''t believe his eyes when he saw Mki.


    Unlike Eliza, Dn was just four years old when the Padi family''s downfall urred. He had spent much of his childhood visiting them, often apanied by Matthew, so he still had many fond memories of his maternal grandparents.


    Among those memories was the image of Mki, who had always been there, watching over them.


    Though more than a decade had passed, Mki had changed considerably, yet Dn still recognized him instantly.


    Unfortunately, Mki was sitting in a modest carriage, moving farther away, and hadn''t heard Dn''s call.


    Without thinking, Dn immediately started to follow. He raced down street after street, nearly losi ight of the carriage. But finally, he saw Mki getting off in front of a seed shop.


    "Mki!" Dn raised his voice, and this time, his call reached Mki''s ears.


    Mki turned, and for a moment, he seemed unsure. But after a few seconds, recognition appeared to hit him, and his face immediately changed. He quickly turned, about to climb back into the carriage and leave.


    "Wait! Mki, it''s me, Dn! My mother is Caroline!"


    Dn thought that after hearing this, Mki would stop, but to his surprise, Mki quickened his pace, preparing to leave even faster.


    "Go! Quickly!" Mki urged the driver, his voice sharp and panicked.


    Unfortunately, Dn was faster. As soon as Mki had barely seated himself in


    the carriage and instructed the driver to leave, Dn was already in front of the horse, Sessfully unlocked!


    "Wait! Don''t go!" Dn demanded, his voice firm.