CHAPTER 139: CHAPTER 139: HIDDEN MOTIVES

"Sophia."

Sophia Lowell was watching a group of women downstairs chatting with Beau Morgan when a familiar voice reached her ears.

This voice, she would recognize even if it turns to dust.

It was Henry Quinn’s.

For a moment, she thought she misheard; how could Henry Quinn appear in such a place? After his car company was acquired by Sterling Group, he became a despised figure.

He went bankrupt.

His wife went to prison, his child was gone, his parents’ jobs were affected, and now he’s like a wandering soul.

She turned her head to look over; Henry Quinn was standing by the sofa not far away, in a refined lounge area that he seemed out of place in.

He was dressed in a grey suit, with a freshly shaved beard showing blue stubble, his complexion pale, face sallow, as if he crawled out from the dead.

Sophia Lowell smiled at him.

Not to mock him, but to smile at herself for feeling indifferent upon seeing him.

She’s moved on, completely.

Both of them knew it.

During this time, Henry Quinn had secretly visited her.

Zane Sterling treated her so well, as if he wanted to hold her in the palm of his hand.

He saw Zane Sterling accompany her to eat spicy hotpot in the city’s alleys, to have dessert at the shop hidden by the alley.

That was Henry Quinn’s most detested place, dubbed a sewer-side shop by him.

He saw Zane Sterling accompany her shopping at the supermarket, carrying large bags in his left hand while lifting her high up with his right, with her laughing like a child.

He even saw Zane Sterling hugging her on the street, disregarding the surrounding crowd, kissing his beloved woman, Sophia Lowell burying her face shyly in his chest.

...

Each scene reminded Henry Quinn.

Reminded him of the wrong choice he had made.

Reminded him that this woman doesn’t belong to him.

And in Zane Sterling’s eyes, as long as this woman stands there, she doesn’t need to move; no matter where he is, he would take strides toward her.

Sophia Lowell ignored Henry Quinn, instead directing her gaze toward Zane Sterling, who was chatting with Ethan Sinclair.

Zane Sterling noticed her gaze, said something hastily to Ethan Sinclair, and walked towards her.

"What’s up?" He reached out, naturally holding the woman’s hand.

"Just saying a few words to my ex-boyfriend." Sophia Lowell glanced at Henry Quinn not far away.

Zane Sterling’s lips curled up, not giving Henry Quinn a second thought, not even glancing at him, just touching the woman’s hair, saying, "I’ll go down and get you something to eat. Don’t stay too long."

"Okay."

Sophia Lowell tiptoed, and Zane Sterling naturally bent down, their mild kiss collided together.

Henry Quinn saw it, it wasn’t showing off, it was natural.

Beau Morgan downstairs also saw it, she clenched her fist, listening to a few socialites beside her while looking upstairs, her expression extremely unpleasant.

Ethan Sinclair frowned, arms crossed.

Seeing Zane Sterling walk towards him with Ethan Sinclair, the two headed downstairs together.

Ethan Sinclair couldn’t help but tease, "Didn’t you say eating garlic prevents mouth kissing, you’re a match made in ’smell heaven’."

"Isn’t this all you’ve taught? Advisor Sinclair," Zane Sterling said.

"You’re so trusting with her?" Ethan Sinclair laughed.

Zane Sterling proudly raised his lips, "Her heart is with me now."

Ethan Sinclair pressed his lips and nodded.

Indeed, Sophia Lowell’s heart had long been placed on Zane Sterling, with Henry Quinn being no more than a stranger.

"Long time no see." Sophia Lowell smiled, sitting on the sofa opposite Henry Quinn.

Henry Quinn couldn’t force a smile, but seeing Sophia Lowell’s captivating figure up close, his heart stirred slightly.

"He’s really good to you," he said.

Sophia Lowell nodded, undeniably so. Zane Sterling loved her to the core, even she, with a heart encased in concrete, was softened by him.

"You look beautiful today."

"Thank you."

The two sat in silence for a long time, but eventually, no more words came.

"He’s waiting for me," Sophia Lowell said.

Henry Quinn hesitated, then let out a "hmm", saying, "Wishing you happiness."

"Thank you."

With that, Sophia Lowell got up and left.

Henry Quinn watched her sparkling figure, feeling a sense of release.

All those around him used to think Sophia Lowell wasn’t a match for him, even he came to feel that way, but later realized he wasn’t deserving.

Sophia Lowell was too exceptional.

He had seen Sophia Lowell’s Professor Fumble’s account, and although unfamiliar with the design circle, he didn’t know this account belonged to a top designer overseas.

It wasn’t until after Zane Sterling signed her on, and Spectra Apparel flourished, that Professor Fumble’s name spread throughout the district, and only then did he realize she, Professor Fumble, was her, Sophia Lowell.

He naively thought the money in Sophia Lowell’s account was Sterling Group’s sponsorship, never realizing it was earned through her diligent designing work day and night.

He was undeserving of her.

He chuckled; she had completely passed through his world.

Sophia Lowell descended the spiral staircase, guests were mostly seated, though a few were still scattered.

The sound of high heels clicking resounded down the stairs, and guests’ eyes fell on Sophia Lowell.

"Who’s daughter is this? She’s exceptionally charming!" An elderly man watched her, squinting his presbyopic eyes into slits.

"Never seen this young lady before."

...

Beau Morgan and Vivian Hale sat at the end of the dining table, naturally keeping distance from Zane Sterling and the others ahead.

Vivian Hale feared Zane Sterling and Sophia Lowell, both were figures she dared not provoke.

Yet Beau Morgan, wishing to be closer to Zane Sterling, didn’t dare ask Vivian Hale, as Vivian Hale bringing her in was already a favor.

Blocking anger was stuck in her heart, unable to be released.

The woman beside Zane Sterling should be her, Beau Morgan!

Vivian Hale was involved with a man in his fifties, hoping to get the invitation card from him, she’d put much effort into bed.

But the man in his fifties, despite his lack of stamina in bed, prompted Vivian Hale to feign happiness beyond measure, coaxing him into great joy.

Vivian Hale found her pretend sounds nauseating.

She wished the old man would suddenly die, to seize his fortune.

Both carried hidden agendas.

Beau Morgan watched the woman descending the stairs, unable to restrain her astonishment.

Golden hair pinned up at the nape of her neck, with a few curled strands falling past her fair neck, a black Hepburn-style dress outlining her perfect figure.

With every step of the black pearl high heels, she seemed to illuminate the night.

She was like a rose blooming in the night, captivating, beautiful...

Everyone present was amazed.

While everyone speculated who she partnered with, Zane Sterling stood up.

He adjusted his suit, heading towards the stairs to welcome his woman.

Both extended their hands, naturally intertwining them.

Guests gingerly discussed among themselves, their eyes fell on the wedding rings on both hands.

The woman of Sterling Group’s billionaire CEO turns out to be someone unknown in the industry.

She wasn’t a mistress; she was his woman.

All misunderstandings were now cleared, with everyone knowing Sophia Lowell’s presence.

Beau Morgan clenched her hand holding the wine glass, her fingertips turning white, her eyes revealing determination.

If Sophia Lowell’s identity wasn’t revealed, she might still strive hard, but now they had made it public -- trying to exert effort would be difficult.