Chapter 200 Father and Daughter Meet Again?

Chapter 200: Chapter 200: Father and Daughter Meet Again?

After Sophie Winslow finished exchanging contact information with several executives and the event concluded, Peter Preston came straight to pick her up.

Their project’s recent tests had yielded excellent results. Barring any surprises, it would officially launch in the second half of the year for an initial three-month practical trial. They would have a lot on their plates in the near future. Product teasers, early market rollouts, promotions, and partnership arrangements all needed to proceed simultaneously.

"Seizing the market early on is crucial. We need to meet with the heads of several hospitals and institutions to promote our product," Peter said, having already made detailed arrangements.

Meeting with multiple organizations would ensure that once the surgical robot launched, it could be integrated directly into various hospitals and medical facilities.

"Filter out a few key partners and schedule some meetings with them," he added. "Once we nail this step, the rest will be relatively straightforward."

After all, no matter how well-made a product was, the ultimate test was whether people were willing to use it.

That evening.

Just as Sophie finished the raw material extraction, she received a WhatsApp message from Lydia. The little girl had sent a cute "Are you there?" sticker. Sophie took off her sterile suit and immediately called Lydia back.

"What’s wrong, baby?"

Lydia giggled on the other end of the line. "Mommy, I have a day off from school tomorrow. Can you spend the day with me?"

The little girl sounded a bit tentative as she asked. She seemed worried that Sophie might reject her due to a busy work schedule or use the same old excuse of it being a "bad time."

Sophie’s heart tightened for no apparent reason. Deep down, she knew she owed Lydia. The girl was nearly six years old, yet she had spent woefully little time with her. If Lydia hadn’t transferred to a school in Kingsford this year, their meetings would likely still be pitifully sparse.

"Of course. Mommy isn’t busy. Our Lydia is the most important thing in the world," Sophie said, deciding to postpone her work rather than disappoint her daughter.

Lydia immediately grew excited, her small voice buzzing with energy. "Then Mommy, can I come see you tonight? I want to sleep with you, just the two of us."

Since she was very young, Lydia knew that her mother had important things to do. She was working hard so they could live together. Because of that, Lydia knew she couldn’t hold her mother back. But sometimes, she just wanted to fall asleep in her mother’s arms. It would surely feel so blissful.

Sophie couldn’t bring herself to say no. Lydia was already much more mature than other children her age. Resolving herself, she agreed, "Okay! Mommy will come pick you up in a bit."

Lydia immediately cheered with joy, chattering away about bringing her little pajamas, her stuffed animals, and the small cookies she had baked at school that afternoon for Sophie. Sophie smiled and hummed in agreement.

She felt a deep sense of guilt toward Lydia. Over the years, due to the Sterling Family, she had been forced to be exceedingly cautious. She hadn’t even dared to spend the night with Lydia, terrified that some unexpected accident might expose her secret. Now... aside from not having obtained the divorce certificate yet, the situation was relatively stable. Staying over for one night wouldn’t hurt.

After ending the call, Sophie immediately drove to the supermarket to buy some of Lydia’s favorite snacks and groceries for dinner. It was rare for her to feel such a palpable sense of happiness. She hadn’t yet terminated the lease on her old apartment, knowing that being forced back into the marital home by Madam Sterling was only a temporary situation. She would have to move out eventually anyway. Today, she planned to take Lydia back to that apartment.

Ever since she and Julian Sterling had that bitter falling out at the old family estate over her "miscarriage," he hadn’t returned to their marital home. Therefore, it wouldn’t matter if she didn’t go back tonight. They were both living their own lives, completely ignoring and staying out of each other’s way.

Once they arrived at the apartment, Lydia dropped her little backpack and ran around the rooms, filled with curiosity. She was excited and intrigued by everything in Sophie’s home.

"Mommy, am I going to live here with you from now on?" Lydia asked, her cheeks flushed with excitement as she came running over with a quick PITTER-PATTER.

Sophie’s heart melted. She bent down and pinched the girl’s cheek. "You don’t mind that the place is so small?"

This apartment was a far cry from Caldwell’s massive standalone villa. Since she was born, Lydia had always enjoyed excellent living conditions. Her food, clothing, housing, and transportation were all top-tier. Yet, she looked at this tiny apartment with such longing.

"As long as I’m with you, Mommy, I’ll be happy living anywhere!" Lydia tilted her little head up, her large eyes blinking. "Even under a bridge!"

Sophie couldn’t help but laugh. "That won’t do. Mommy has to work hard and make money. I can’t let our Lydia live under a bridge."

But to Lydia, she wasn’t joking. She was completely serious. She knew it wasn’t easy for her mother to make money. Once she grew up quickly, she could earn money for her mother. Mommy always said that having money meant having a sense of security.

Sophie’s cooking skills were actually quite average. She could only follow tutorials to make a few kid-friendly dishes. Halfway through cooking, while Lydia was watching cartoons, Sophie’s phone rang. She was in such a good mood today that she didn’t even check the caller ID before answering.

"Hello, who is this?"

There was a moment of silence on the other end. "You didn’t save my number?"

The cold, detached voice made Sophie’s spine instinctively stiffen. She completely stopped washing the vegetables.

"Is there something you need?" Sophie asked.

Julian’s voice was faint through the receiver. "When are you coming back?

"The buyout contract we discussed last time has been drafted. I need you to sign it so I can arrange the money transfer for you."

Sophie immediately glanced out into the living room, where Lydia was lying on the sofa, giggling at her tablet. An urge to curse washed over her. Of all the times for Julian to finalize the details of Stella Sutton’s R&D team separating from Longview, he just had to do it tonight—the one rare night she finally got to spend with Lydia.

"I can’t come back tonight. Let’s talk about it tomorrow. Don’t wait up for me."

Faced with the choice between resolving the matter with Stella Sutton and spending time with Lydia, Sophie naturally chose Lydia. She refused to let her daughter feel disappointed and sad. Come hell or high water, she wasn’t leaving tonight.

Julian fell silent on the other end. Sophie didn’t give him a chance to speak and hung up directly. She didn’t care whether he was satisfied with her answer or not.

Lydia came jogging over with little HUFFS AND PUFFS, asking curiously, "Mommy, who were you on the phone with?"

Sophie thought for a moment. "A business partner."

Seven years of marriage could technically be considered a partnership. Moreover, Julian wanted to discuss a buyout with her, which was strictly business. The term "business partner" was more than fitting.

Lydia nodded, only half-understanding. She poured a glass of water for Sophie and waved her over. As Sophie bent down, the little girl stood on her tiptoes and planted a kiss on her cheek. "Thank you for working so hard, Mommy."

Then, she scurried back to watch her tablet with a quick PITTER-PATTER of footsteps.

Sophie touched her cheek and couldn’t help but smile. Humming a tune, she continued cooking. This was what she considered the best kind of day. Although her cooking was average, she made up for it with efficiency. Soon, she had prepared three dishes and a soup: sweet and sour pineapple ribs, stir-fried choy sum, honey mustard shrimp balls, and a bowl of tomato and egg soup. They were all child-friendly dishes.

Just as she was taking the food out of the pan, the doorbell rang. Sophie’s hands were full, and she wondered who could be visiting so late.

Lydia had already jumped off the sofa. "Mommy, I’ll get the door!"

Thinking it wasn’t safe at night, Sophie hurried out of the kitchen to stop her, but Lydia had already pulled the door open.

At the front door.

Julian slowly lowered his gaze, meeting the little girl’s beautiful, wide eyes. His own eyes suddenly darkened. When he looked up again, his gaze collided with Sophie’s as she emerged from the kitchen.

The second Sophie saw him standing face-to-face with Lydia, her expression drastically changed.