Sophie opened her eyes wide in terror. She saw Uncle Jonathan glaring at her—the uncle who had always been so kind to her now wore such a grave expression. Her words stuck in her throat; no matter what, she couldn't get them out. She knew Ned wanted a promise from her, but her intuition told her it absolutely wasn't the right time.
"You're not friends? Then what kind of relationship do you want with her? You two haven't already... Oh, my God!" Victoria suddenly felt a splitting headache and collapsed back into her chair.
Sophie lowered her eyelids, bent deeply at the waist in a bow, and said, "I'm truly very sorry. I really shouldn't have come here tonight." She avoided Ned's gaze, speaking only faintly like that, then turned to leave—
"She came here tonight for me." Unable to wait for Sophie's response, Ned grabbed her hand and calmly stated the truth outright. "Father, Mother, I'm pursuing her!" He answered directly and without hesitation.
