wouldn't want you catching a cold."

After chatting, Mrs. Costello made her way over to Sophie, wrapping a comforting arm around her shoulders. "Colby just got back from abroad," she said softly. "He didn't mean to upset you. Let me apologize for him. Come on, let's head inside; it's too chilly out here, and I With Mrs. Costello's kindness, Sophie could only nod and follow her through the grand entrance of the Costello estate.

Inside the hall, Andrew watched the scene unfold and turned to Alexander with a stern look. "Alexander, look at your son, bullying my daughter like this! Are you trying to pick a fight with me?"

"Of course not," Alexander replied, raising a glass of red wine with a suave smile. "I've watched Sophie grow up; don't worry, I'll have a chat with him and make sure he apologizes to Sophie." Damita, overhearing Alexander, couldn't help but smirk.

Alexander disciplining his son? Could you even picture that?

Colby seemed tough enough, but who knew if he could take a scolding?

In her room, Sophie had taken a shower. Her once-perfect makeup was gone, and her elegant dress was still damp.

Harold had been waiting outside for Sophie. When she came out in a dress Mrs. Costello had lent her, her face was red from crying, and her nose was a bit pink.

Sophie had always been the darling of the family, never having faced such humiliation.

Harold couldn't help but say, "Stop crying, you look a mess."

"You're not helping!" Sophie burst into tears again, sobbing. "If I hadn't been waiting for you, I wouldn't have run into that lunatic! Where's my brother? Why isn't he here yet? If he were here, this wouldn't have happened!" "Please, stop crying," Harold pleaded. "If my brother finds out, I'm done for!"

Harold was trying to calm Sophie when suddenly a bouquet of flowers was tossed her way in the hallway.

The bouquet landed almost perfectly in Sophie's hands.

It was a bunch of vibrant red roses, their fragrance rich and intoxicating.noveldrama

Sophie stopped crying abruptly as she stared at the beautifully arranged bouquet.

Colby stood a little way off, saying, "My mom asked me to give these to you."

"Who needs your roses!" Sophie snapped, tossing them back.

The bouquet arced through the air, scattering petals as Colby's image lingered in her mind.

Sophie suddenly had a strange vision.

She and Colby seemed to be walking down the aisle together.

Colby's eyes were filled with such deep affection, almost overflowing.

It was like he was a different person from the annoying guy standing before her.

"This is a new breed my grandfather cultivated; only the Costello family has it. It's quite rare."

Colby approached Sophie again,

the bouquet in front of her

once more. Then, to her

dropped to one knee surpriset

Sophie's heart skipped a beat.

the

Colby slowly spoke, "Ms. Sophie, please forgive my earlier rudeness. If you're still upset, there's plenty of water at the Costello estate-feel

free to splash it back at me.

"You're you're nuts!" Sophie stammered, fleeing in a hurry, dragging Harold as if they were escaping a disaster.

Sophie's heart wouldn't stop racing

She didn't know if it was because of the Colby standing there or the one

in her mind with eyes full of love.

And seriously... who kneels for a woman they've only met twice?

Does being handsome mean you can do whatever you want?