Chapter 25. Pandora’s Box

Sophia

I spend the rest of my evening strolling in the garden then browsing some books in dad’s study. When I get back to the living room for dinnertime, I see Nikki and Joy sitting there. They don’t even greet me, so I ignore their sheer existence too and turn on the TV.

There is palpable tension in the room and I can feel Nikkie glaring at me. I cannot help but wonder how she would have felt if that attacker had succeeded in his attempt last night.

“Ladies…” Dad calls us out and a smile forms on my lips.

He sits next to me and changes the channel to the news. I roll my eyes.

“What? You are not supposed to watch TV anyway,” he says, amused, and I shake my head.

“I guess I should help Uncle Orin with dinner preparation,” I say, getting up and making my way to the kitchen. Uncle Orin smiles and hands me a platter of veggies to cut.

“Where are the rest of the staff?” I ask him.

“I do most of the cooking nowadays. Staff i