All Chapters of Playing Mrs. Beckett: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

Adrian parked across Meadow Lane, his hands remaining on the steering wheel long after the engine was off. The storefront looked busier than the last time he had seen it. Employees carried garment bags between the building and the loading dock, while several customers stepped out with shopping bags bearing Meadow Lane's logo. Even from outside, the place felt lively.He pushed the thought away and entered the building. The receptionist recognized him almost immediately."Hello, Mr. Beckett.""I'm here to see Sophie."Before the receptionist could answer, Lyla walked out from the corridor with several documents tucked under one arm. She stopped the moment she noticed Adrian. There was a brief flicker of surprise across her face before it disappeared behind a professional smile."Good afternoon, Mr. Beckett.""I’m here to see Sophie."Lyla smiled, but it didn’t feel friendly. "Miss Langham is currently in a meeting."Miss Langham. The name grated on him somehow. Perhaps it was the fact

Sophie drove back in a daze. Back at Meadow Lane, she managed to do everything required of her, but both Lyla and Gregory could tell that their boss was on autopilot. Still, neither of them said anything until the office began to empty. Just as Sophie was getting ready to head home, someone knocked on her office door. Lyla peeked her head through the doorway, a can of hot chocolate in hand.“Is this a good time, Miss Langham?” she asked. Sophie, who had just finished tidying her desk, smiled.“What is it, Lyla?”“Nothing, really,” Lyla stepped in, leaving the can on Sophie's desk. “It's just that ever since you came back, you've seemed like your head's been in the clouds.”Sophie chuckled a little. “I just got a sudden family matter. Nothing concerning, though.” Sophie took the hot chocolate, “Thank you for this, Lyla. I need this.”“I can tell,” Lyla nodded, a proud smile appeared on her face. She then sighed. “I’m glad that it was nothing, then,” she said, standing up and beginning

Weeks passed, and it was finally autumn. Sophie gave Edmund a big hug as a boarding announcement rang through the airport. Neither let go for a long time until Oliver cleared his throat.“Don’t you have a plane to catch?” he said.“Boarding just started. I still have time,” Edmund replied.“He’s right, Ed,” Sophie sighed as she let go first. “It will be silly if you miss your flight while already in the airport.”Edmund frowned. “I can always book a new flight.”Sophie could only laugh. “How did you become this unreasonable?”“And how did you become such a crybaby?”Sophie cringed, because Edmund’s words hit her right where it hurt.Another announcement rang, and this time, Edmund finally waved goodbye. He disappeared into the terminal gate. Sophie watched Edmund as he took an elevator. He needed to go back to England because frankly, his States visit was abrupt and unplanned.Sophie tightened her coat—one Mrs. Whitaker insisted she should accept—and her eyes started blankly around th

Sophie blinked at Oliver’s towering figure. Part of her wondered what he was doing here, but another was just glad she had help to deal with Adrian, whom she found to be more and more unreasonable.“Oliver Blackwood,” Adrian muttered, so quiet that Sophie almost didn’t hear it. But even that faint, Sophie could still find an edge in the way Adrian said Oliver’s name.Somehow, Sophie always felt that Adrian had a bone to pick with Oliver. But as far as she knew, they never had any opportunity to interact before, so Sophie always wondered where the hostility came from.Oliver walked over to them, his face showed his usual friendly face. “Hello, Mr. Beckett,” he greeted, then turned to Sophie. “Miss Langham,” he added with deliberate emphasis.Sophie didn’t catch the way Adrian’s face darkened.“Did I interrupt something?” Oliver said, his tone light as ever.“Yes,” Adrian said with a polite front. “I’m currently talking with my wife.”Sophie was about to correct him, but Oliver spoke be

The next day, Sophie received some good news. First was Gregory applying for a leave because Cynthia’s surgery was finally scheduled. All preparations were done and Cynthia’s condition was optimal for the transplant. Both Lyla, who first received his application, and Sophie, who immediately approved the leave, were excited—they were even more elated than Gregory, who managed to somehow stay professional throughout the entire process.The second was that Langham Logistic had started the first batch shipment, and the nearest orders were received on the same day. By evening, reviews had started rolling in.At dinner, Sophie’s eyes were practically glued to her tablet, watching testimonies and unboxings. No one said anything—both Helen and Albert Whitaker understood how meaningful this moment was for Sophie, so as long as she still properly ate her meals, the elderly couple just let Sophie be.So far, the reactions were positive, and it raised the hype for her brand. Influencers also revi