CHAPTER 177

Sophia’s POV

I walked into the cozy little restaurant, my heels clicking on the wooden floor, and scanned the room for Daniel. I spotted him at a corner table, waving enthusiastically. His bright smile and relaxed demeanor instantly put me at ease.

“Sophia! Over here!” he called out, standing up to greet me.

I made my way over, smiling back. “Hey, Daniel! Thanks for inviting me.”

“Of course,” he said, pulling out a chair for me. “How was your day?”

“Busy, as usual. But I’m glad to be here. This place is charming,” I replied, glancing around at the warm lighting and rustic decor.

“Yeah, it’s one of my favorites. They have great food, too,” he said, sitting down across from me. “So, what’s new with you?”

“Well, I have a bit of news,” I started, leaning in slightly. “I met with Henry Standord today. He’s Julia’s brother from her adoptive family... Anyway, we talked about his project, and I wanted to know if your project with Urban Next is still pushing through.”

Daniel’s eyes lit up with