Chapter 5 She Called Her Mummy

• Leroy escorted Sophie homeward, his heart weighed with concern for her troubled countenance since their separation from the mysterious woman.
• Sophie, in her despondency, declined even the solace of her cherished ice cream upon arriving home, her eyes inflamed with emotion resembling that of a startled hare, hastening swiftly back to the sanctuary of her chamber.
• Leroy, seeing Sophie's forlorn aspect, could not help but anticipate the looming reproach from his elder brother.
• He turned discreetly, casting a sidelong glance towards Leonel, who sat poised upon the sofa, attired in a sable shirt and meticulously tailored trousers that accentuated his commanding stature and graceful limbs.
• His visage possessed a sculpted perfection akin to that of a divine idol, his profound, deep-set eyes reminiscent of ancient celestial rivers, glacial and incisive, evoking a chill akin to the murmur of subterranean springs.
• "What transpired with Sophie? What did you do to her?"
• "I swear upon my life, I'd be thankful if Sophie would stay out of any mischief! How could I dare to provoke her?"
• Once the esteemed second Alpha of the Scarlet Veil Pack, Leroy had been relegated to the role of caregiver since Leonel's return with Fabian and Sophie five years past. Whenever these young scions of mischief found themselves in trouble, regardless of circumstance, Leroy inevitably bore the brunt of blame.
• Before assuming any fault, Leroy deemed it prudent to focus on the pivotal matter at hand.
• "Brother, a momentous revelation—Sophie now speaks," Leroy disclosed.
• At this revelation, a faint warmth suffused Leonel's inscrutable eyes, his lips curling into a fleeting smile.
• "Was it Professor James who effected this transformation during your visit to Findella?" Leonel inquired, his interest piqued.
• "No, not at all," Leroy affirmed, shaking his head. "I have been present for Sophie's previous psychological interventions. Professor James' recent treatment merely adhered to routine, bearing no marked deviation from prior methods."
• "Then what brought forth this miraculous change?"
• "Leonel, today at the airport, Sophie encountered a woman in her twenties. She took a great liking to her and addressed her as 'mummy' on several occasions. You should've seen her when they had to say goodbye. Oh, she couldn't stop crying."
• Reflecting upon the day's peculiar events, Leroy remained unsettled by their inexplicable nature.
• Ever since Leonel returned with the twins years ago, though their maternal lineage remained unspoken, the Scarlet Veil Pack knew well—their mother was none other than Juliet, daughter of the Alpha of the Blue Moon Pack.
• Sophie's voice faltered in the presence of her own mother, so how could she summon the epithet 'mum' for a stranger?
• Leonel's brows furrowed in equal confusion. "What significance does this woman hold?"
• "That woman appears rather plain, with a round countenance and an unassuming nose ... " Leroy struggled to recollect, but Leonel cut him off sharply, "Leroy, who inquired about her appearance?"
• Leroy hesitated, his response caught in his throat.
• Leonel's tone lowered. "Leroy, if you perceive this woman holds importance for Sophie, why have you not dispatched an inquiry?"
• For reasons unbeknownst to him, Leonel's intuition suggested this ostensibly ordinary woman might unlock the mystery of Sophie's muteness.
• Prompted by Leonel's query, Leroy smote his thigh in remorse. "Good heavens! How could I neglect such a crucial matter? I'll investigate her without delay."
• ...
• Upstairs, in the chamber on the second storey, another scion of the Scarlet Veil Pack, Fabian, honed coloured pencils for Sophie's illustration.
• Despite his status as younger sibling and heir apparent, Fabian presented a facade of deference to outsiders—yet towards Sophie, he was an openly devoted brother.
• With the pencils now keenly whetted, Sophie etched a figure upon her sketchpad.
• This figure bore a svelte form, a flat nose, plump lips, and a rotund visage. Yet as Sophie delineated her, a broad smile graced her features throughout.
• Not content with the likeness, she traced yellow streaks around the figure, akin to radiant beams.
• Upon completion, Sophie inscribed a word above the figure's head—'Mummy'.
• Fabian regarded it, perplexed. "Mummy?"
• Sophie nodded, her countenance sunny.
• "Is this the woman Daddy mentioned?" Fabian queried aloud, though inwardly unsure.
• While neither he nor Sophie harboured affection for Juliet, their birth mother possessed an undeniably attractive countenance, akin to divinity's exquisite grace.
• The mere mention of Juliet caused Sophie's smile to falter abruptly, her head swaying with a rhythmic sadness.
• How could Juliet possibly be equated with the maternal figure she had sketched?
• "If not her, then who?" queried Fabian.
• Sophie longed to convey her encounter with 'mummy' to her brother, yet each attempt to vocalise left her mute.
• Frustrated by her inability to articulate, Sophie sank into despondency.
• Nevertheless, she tenderly bundled up her drawing, clutching it dearly to her chest.
• Observing Sophie's profound admiration for the plain-faced woman in her artwork, Fabian couldn't help but ponder the enchanting allure that had captivated his sister so.
• ...
• Meanwhile, within Elsie's opulent abode ...
• "Achoo!"
• Elsie, having just discarded her guise, sneezed emphatically.
• "Surely someone thinks of me once more?"
• Seated at the computer, Joel's fingers danced over the keys as he glanced at the contents of the email.
• "Mummy, someone indeed seeks your aid! They propose a sum of 15 million, beseeching your intervention!"