Everyone was acting strangely today.
Sophia lay in bed, clutching the rag doll in her arms, her heart filled with unease.
Although Sophia was only a child, she knew that no one had ever liked her. Even in her own home, she was an outsider. Her father disliked her, and her mother had no affection for her either. Her distant relatives were no different. They regarded her as "the maid's child," and even the servants disliked her. In fact, Sophia was afraid of them too, because they always treated her coldly.
But Sophia had grown used to this life.
Until today.
Something was wrong with everyone.
Sophia had already sensed it. Children who had been shunned since infancy were especially sensitive. She could feel something unsettling in the way the others looked at her today, beyond their usual indifference. Not only that, but the guards who normally patrolled the castle had all disappeared.
No dinner had been prepared today either. Sophia wanted to ring the bell to summon a maid and ask why, but she did not dare. She was afraid the maid would look at her with disgust again, as though she were something filthy.
So she could only go to bed hungry. The only thing that could give Sophia any warmth now was the stuffed puppy in her arms.
For her birthday, Sophia had begged her father to send someone to Fog City to bring it back, along with the Betty the Puppy picture books. She had heard that these were all made by the detective, Mr. Li Wei. Sophia still remembered the handsome gentleman who had helped her during the Steam Expo, so she was quite interested in these picture books too.
For Sophia, this was indeed a rare gift. She loved Betty the Puppy, and if