Chapter 482

At Blackwood Group headquarters, Dominic answered his ringing phone.

"Mr. Blackwood, Miss Sophia brought Henry Thorne to compete in the finals of the National Youth Coding Olympiad today," reported the bodyguard on the line.

Dominic's brows knitted together in confusion. "What did you just say?"

The bodyguard repeated the information, then added, "Miss Sophia specifically asked me not to inform you about this."

"Then why are you telling me now?"

Dominic rubbed his temples as a wave of unease washed over him.

"When Henry won the competition, Miss Sophia rushed onto the stage. Someone recognized her, and chaos broke out. She's unharmed but visibly shaken."

The bizarre story sounded almost fabricated to Dominic.

Why would Sophia take Henry to a coding competition?

Henry was a solitary child who avoided strangers. Under normal circumstances, he would never agree to participate in such an event.

How had Sophia managed to persuade him?

"Send me the address immediately," Dominic commanded before ending the call.

Meanwhile, Henry sat on a park bench near the science museum, exhausted from the day's events.

Sophia, clutching the trophy, settled beside him.

"I'm sorry, Henry," she said softly. "I only brought you here because I thought you'd enjoy meeting other kids like you in the elite class."

"Why would I need an elite class?" Henry snapped.

"My teacher said everyone there is incredibly smart. I thought you'd be happier surrounded by people like you," Sophia explained earnestly. "If there were a place where I could be with people like me, I know I'd love it."

Henry wanted to lash out, but Sophia's innocent expression disarmed him.

He didn't want to scold her, but he worried she might try something like this again.

"Just because you're my aunt doesn't mean you can interfere in my life," Henry stood abruptly. "Even family should respect boundaries!"

With that, he turned and stormed away.

Sophia hurried after him, trophy still in hand. "Don't be mad! Forget about the elite class! I promise I won't upset you again!"

What frustrated Henry most wasn't Sophia—it was Dominic.

"I hate Dominic Blackwood!"

Sophia looked perplexed but didn't know how to change Henry's opinion of his uncle.

All she could do was ensure he didn't dislike her too.

"Let's get ice cream," she suggested brightly, taking his hand. "Who cares what those people said? You're amazing just as you are! They called me crazy, but I don't care. To me, you're the smartest person ever!"

Her words slowly melted Henry's icy demeanor.

Earlier, Sophia had forced the boy who accused Henry of cheating to apologize. The terrified boy had complied reluctantly.

"Fine. Ice cream," Henry conceded, wanting to forget the day's events.

"I'll get it right now! Wait here!" Sophia dashed off, still carrying the trophy, with the bodyguard following.

Watching them leave, Henry considered fleeing. He craved solitude, but couldn't bear disappointing Sophia if she returned to find him gone.

She was nothing like Dominic.

They shouldn't be judged the same way.

A sleek black Rolls-Royce pulled up outside the park.

The moment Dominic entered, his piercing gaze immediately found Henry standing near a flowerbed.

Henry looked up, meeting Dominic's eyes as if sensing the intensity of that stare.