CHAPTER 145: CHAPTER 145: WITH ME HERE, DON’T BE AFRAID

Sophia Lowell walked up to greet.

Faye Ellison glanced back, and the young man behind her carried a painting into the courtyard.

"Spring and serenity." Sophia Lowell gazed at the cursive on the plaque.

This is from the "Azurehill Tower Record," to describe springtime serenity, waves calm...

A closer look at the signature shows it’s by a famous calligrapher, a priceless piece.

"This is too valuable." Sophia Lowell felt a bit troubled, "This masterpiece kept here is more valuable than the studio."

"It’s a gift from the teacher, accept it. Taking it back wouldn’t look good," Faye Ellison smiled.

Professor Carter snorted, "Is this an expression of disdain?"

Sophia Lowell tilted her head, pressing her lips together, looking helpless.

At this moment, Eve Reid whispered a reminder to Sophia Lowell, "Ms. Lowell, there’s a bouquet for you here that needs your signature."

Faye Ellison and Professor Carter glanced over.

Sophia Lowell looked at the bouquet of tulips wrapped in a transparent sealed bag and smiled, pondering if it was from Zane Sterling.

She was about to sign the slip when she looked at the card, which had ordinary blessings but no signature.

"Can I ask who sent this?" she inquired.

"I’m not sure. The sender just mentioned to deliver it here." The courier checked his watch.

Sophia Lowell hesitated for a moment before signing the slip.

This bouquet wasn’t from Zane Sterling.

His flowers either have no card or always bear his handwriting on the card.

Moreover, he was busy in the morning and was expected to come in the afternoon. He mentioned sending a gift, but it would probably arrive with him.

Everyone who needed to come today was here; few knew she liked tulips, and it was wrapped in a transparent sealed bag, appearing a bit strange.

She instructed Eve Reid to place it somewhere else and left it unopened.

At eight, the unveiling and ribbon-cutting ceremony proceeded as planned.

The crowd gathered at the entrance, and Sophia Lowell and Hugh Irving held the red ribbon. After a brief speech, Sophia Lowell and Hugh Irving cut the ribbon together.

Applause erupted promptly.

Then it was time for the unveiling.

"Three, two, one!" the crowd counted down.

Bang!

As the red cloth covering the sign was pulled down, a loud noise came from behind.

The crowd gazed into the courtyard.

A blast sounded from within the courtyard.

Just then, brilliant fireworks burst into the sky!

"Wow..."

The collective awe made Sophia Lowell feel an uneasy undercurrent.

This sound was different from the earlier explosion.

Sophia Lowell glanced at Eve Reid, who nodded and headed into the courtyard.

Faye Ellison and Professor Carter seemed to sense something amiss too, but seeing Sophia Lowell had organized personnel to handle it, they said nothing.

The fireworks lasted a mere three minutes. Nobody paid much attention to the earlier incident, assuming it was the sound of fireworks.

Everything proceeded as planned. Faye Ellison and Professor Carter joined the crowd to go inside and explore.

Sophia Lowell stood at the entrance, unable to calm herself for a long time.

Eve Reid reported the investigation results to Sophia Lowell.

The bouquet wasn’t a regular one; it contained aluminum powder.

When Eve Reid took Sophia Lowell’s instruction, she thought it was a personal item, so she put the bouquet in the rooftop sky garden where no one would access it. Unexpectedly, a bird pecked a hole in the bag, triggering a small component inside, causing an explosion.

The flowers were destroyed, with a bird’s corpse lying nearby.

Thinking about it made Sophia Lowell fearful.

Who would do such a thing?

If not for her vigilance, she might have been the victim.

And those fireworks, they were perfectly timed...

Just as she was shaken, Zane Sterling appeared before her.

She hadn’t the chance to speak before Zane Sterling embraced her tightly, so hard it was hard for her to breathe.

She patted his back, and Zane Sterling relaxed his grip a little but didn’t release her; he still held her close.

"Why are you here? Weren’t you..." Sophia Lowell could faintly hear his heartbeat thudding in her ear.

"I’m just glad you’re okay." He tightened his arms around her waist.

"How did you know?"

Zane Sterling slowly let go, and two bodyguards behind him started searching the courtyard.

"When Ethan Sinclair and I went to the flower shop to pick up flowers, I overheard someone mentioning SY Studio, so I took a closer look. Initially, I didn’t think much of it, but later saw him stop and tamper with the flowers. I tried to chase him, but he was on a motorbike and got away."

"And the fireworks..."

Sophia Lowell recalled that the fireworks started bursting after the explosion, masking the blast sound so that no one suspected a thing.

"I tried calling you, but couldn’t get through. Knowing you were busy, I took the initiative. The fireworks were initially meant as a gift for you tonight, just set off earlier than planned. There’ll be another chance next time."

Hearing this, Sophia Lowell felt a warmth spread in her heart for a brief moment.

Zane Sterling patted her head, "With me here, don’t be afraid, it’s okay, look, this is for you."

Only then did Sophia Lowell notice he was holding a bouquet of budding pineapple tulips.

Seeing her gaze fixed on the flowers, Zane Sterling handed them over.

The flowers matched beautifully with what she was wearing today.

"So pretty! Thank you!" Sophia Lowell lifted the flowers, brought them to her nose, and smiled at him.

Zane Sterling smiled in return.

These flowers were airlifted late last night, kept at the flower shop for care, and he hastily drove over after an early meeting.

He used to think CEOs with a love-struck mentality who spent thousands, millions, even flew private jets for a meal, a date, were just showing off, making a fuss.

Now he finally understood that feeling of longing within even minutes of separation.

He realized he had become a love-struck fool.

Seeing Sophia Lowell beaming while holding the flowers he brought, he felt even happier, as if her smile made everything worth it.

"Mr. Sterling," Ethan Sinclair walked out from the studio, breaking the dreamy spell.

Sophia Lowell and Zane Sterling snapped back to reality, turning to Ethan Sinclair.

"You go on, I still have things to do, I’ll catch up with you later." Zane Sterling pinched her slender waist.

"Okay."

Just as Sophia Lowell finished speaking, Zane Sterling’s lips brushed against hers.

She stepped back shocked, hurriedly ran off without a word.

"..." Ethan Sinclair glanced over.

I’m still here!

Are the rest of us invisible?

He used to play it cautious, now treating people like they’re not even human.

"Any news?" Zane Sterling asked.

"Nothing yet, we’ve already called the police." Ethan Sinclair, hands in his pockets, looked over at Hugh Irving nearby.

"Let’s investigate on our end too, and don’t inform the police until we find something. Also, push back today’s schedule as needed," he instructed.

Ethan Sinclair casually remarked, "Already done."

"Assistant Sinclair, you really know what I like," Zane Sterling chuckled.

"Without a keen sense, how could I keep this job?" Ethan Sinclair smirked.

The opening of SY Studio attracted quite a few socialites, with people streaming in throughout the afternoon.

All for the rumored Professor Fumble.

Who exactly is Professor Fumble?

Numerous attendees were inquiring about Professor Fumble’s identity; no one gave a clear response, just polite smiles.

And Beau Morgan also came, during a less crowded afternoon slot.

She aimed to meet Professor Fumble today, since otherwise, she couldn’t cover up last night’s lie.

But indeed, she found it impossible to cover up.