From Miner to Mansion

Sophia held back for a moment, then asked those three words.

I’d expected her to be angry given Liam’s goading.

I rubbed my eyes, nodded seriously and said, “It’s comfortable. The incense helps me sleep.”

“Then you can sleep here.”

Sophia looked at me in surprise, apparently not expecting me to know that incense aids sleep.

Liam looked wronged and said, “Sis, you used to be upset when I came into your room. Why can Brother sleep in your room?”

“Hungry?”

Sophia ignored him and smiled at me.

I nodded and added, “But I don’t want to get out of bed.”

“Okay, I’ll bring it up.”

Sophia nodded and left.

Liam glared, grinding his teeth: “Why? She just got back and is already so nice to you. She’s picky but lets you sleep in her bed and even eat in it — why?”

I didn’t bother replying and scrolled videos on my phone.

Liam felt like a clown but didn’t leave — he seemed intent on seeing how I would eat in Sophia’s bed.

Before long Sophia pushed in a meal cart.

There was a small pull-out tray on the cart that could serve as a table — I only had to sit up to eat.

I sat up listlessly, took a few bites, and then ate quickly.

Sophia went to the desk to handle company matters on her laptop and didn’t look at me.

Liam grabbed the juice on the cart.

I knew his plan — he probably intended to spill the juice on the bed and then complain to clean-freak Sophia about my rudeness.

I didn’t know how she’d react, but if he pulled some trick I’d have to change rooms.

I was lazy and didn’t want to move.

So I picked up my phone and pointed it at him.

Liam froze mid-splash, put on an awkward smile and handed the juice to me: “Brother, drink the juice.”

“No.”

I glanced over at Sophia; she was looking toward me too.

In that accidental look I noticed her eyes were beautiful and deep, as if she could see through everything.

“Sophia, you have the college entrance exams coming up, shouldn’t you be studying?” she asked.

Liam’s mouth twitched; understanding he was being dismissed, he left.

After I finished eating, the housekeeper — Mrs. Johnson — came in to clean.

Then I resumed: left hand typing code, right hand scrolling my phone.

Unnoticed, three hours passed and I got sleepy.

I planned to take a shower and sleep.

At that moment Sophia finished her work and came over, placing a bottle of supplements on the bedside table: “It’s a brain-health supplement.”

“Thanks, sis.”

I looked at her suspiciously, wondering how she knew I needed brain-nourishing supplements.

But she’d already left the room.

I was too lazy to ask, so I showered, took the supplement, and fell asleep.

In the following days I rarely left the room.

Liam kept trying to cause trouble but never had the chance.

Sophia handled company affairs in her room every day, but we barely spoke.

Then one day, while I was sleeping, someone suddenly yanked the covers off me.

I woke to find my biological father had returned and it was he who pulled the blanket away.

“How can you sleep here?” Richard snapped.

“Brother — although she’s adopted, you should watch your appearance!”

“If people find out that the rightful heir of the Grants sleeps in his sister’s room as soon as he returns, what will they say?”