CHAPTER 147: CHAPTER 147: STOP IT, GOOD SISTER

Because of the explosion, Sophia Lowell had no choice but to get vigilant and immediately hired professional bodyguards to ramp up security.

Around four or five in the afternoon, the Sterling family and the Lowell Family arrived together.

Ever since last time when the wedding was mentioned, Zoe Walsh and Autumn Lowell had started to make arrangements, and the two families quickly became chummy.

Throughout the afternoon, people stopped by the studio one after another. None of them stayed long; they sat around for a bit before heading off.

It was then that Sophia Lowell snuck a look at a message Zane Sterling had sent her.

He’d sent over Sophia’s measurements, intending to make her an outfit for the evening gala.

Sophia replied: [Mr. Sterling, after organizing dresses for all the staff, you only now remember the CEO’s wife? That’s kind of neglectful.]

[Can we discuss this in person?] Zane asked.

[Nope.]

After a long while, Zane finally messaged back: [I want to make one for her myself.]

He really did want to do it himself, but this wasn’t exactly his forte, plus Sophia was a designer herself. If he just got anyone to make it, he was afraid it wouldn’t turn out the way he hoped.

Having heard that Professor Fumble knew Sophia, he came up with this idea.

Sophia held her phone, paused for a second, exited WhatsApp, then turned off her screen.

She’d been thinking of milking at least a few hundred thousand from him, never thought he’d pull this move!

She pressed her lips together, unable to hide a chuckle.

Fine, let him mess around all he wants!

But about Beau Morgan’s two-hundred-thousand-yuan dress, she was admittedly not happy.

"You’ve got more expressions on your face than there are weather changes. What’s happened?" Zane Sterling looked at Sophia spaced out on the sofa.

The way her face shifted was ridiculously cute.

Sophia shook her head and forced a smile.

If she were the boss and her staff brought in hundreds of millions in projects for the store, that two-hundred-thousand bonus would totally be deserved. And she could afford it too.

In the evening, around seven when the doors were about to close, Zane treated all the courtyard staff to dinner.

A security guard, Corinne Chapman, a pair of twin sisters, plus two newly hired staffers.

Back home, the two of them showered and then lounged in bed, chatting for ages.

Zane wanted to get close to her, but she was bothered by other things and used opening day exhaustion as an excuse to rebuff him.

Zane didn’t push it. He just held her, absently massaging her waist before drawing her into sleep.

Maybe she really was tired, because she fell asleep in no time.

Zane watched her quietly, tracing her perfect features with his fingertips. Then, carefully, he got up.

He went to the study, finding the box where Sophia kept her sketches.

She’d always treasured that box, but lately she’d let Zane look through it with zero reservations—though Zane had never actually checked it out.

Tonight he opened it. He wanted to see the style of this woman’s designs, planning to sketch something himself and ask Professor Fumble to do the tailoring.

Since he couldn’t meet Professor Fumble, this seemed like the best way.

But first, he needed a sketch.

——

The next day at noon.

Sophia pulled on black utility pants, a tight turtleneck tee, layered with a yellow windbreaker. The legs of her pants were stuffed into her Martin boots.

Zane was dressed to match.

This whole look was something they’d had Ethan Sinclair rush out to buy just the day before.

Zane was driving today.

Sophia sat shotgun, gazing out the window, looking glum.

She was still brooding over the dress situation.

Before she knew it, they’d arrived at the racetrack.

Up ahead was the entrance to Farmhouse Lodge—a huge compound with multiple courtyards for dining, resting, and entertainment...

Each designated area had its own section, surrounded by all kinds of trees.

Out back there were all sorts of cordoned-off outdoor paddocks, indoor stables, and an open, massive grass field for riding.

Just as their car rolled to a halt, Shane Graham and two other managers from headquarters arrived as well.

The group were all in sporty attire, and then they spotted Beau Morgan standing at the courtyard gate in high heels, waiting.

Uh...

Judging by her outfit, Beau probably already knew what this was about—barbecue, horse riding at the racetrack.

She’d gone with high heels and a fitted black knit dress, all done up immaculately—makeup flawless, too.

When Beau Morgan saw their couple’s matching sportswear, she felt pretty awkward inside. But since she’d injured her leg and couldn’t do much physical activity, otherwise she’d definitely be on a horse, too.

So she’d figured, may as well wear a dress; but flats didn’t have the charm of heels, so after some back-and-forth she went for the high heels.

Not gonna lie, the roads out here on the farm were absolutely unforgiving...

Seeing so many people show up, Beau Morgan suddenly realized she’d underestimated the gathering.

She’d thought it was just an internal get-together, but hadn’t expected Zane to invite this many people.

Zane frowned at Beau’s outfit, while Sophia pretended not to notice and greeted them blandly before ducking inside in search of Ethan Sinclair.

Ethan and Hugh Irving had actually arrived early; Hugh thought it was just a regular farmhouse party, fun, a chance to chill—they figured it was an opening celebration.

But as soon as they got out of the car, Ethan shouted to the boss—"Dad."

Hugh’s smile faltered, but he played it cool—especially seeing as it wasn’t just her out for fun today.

And really, it was the first time everyone had gotten together since meeting, so a little chill time seemed warranted. The second half of the year probably wouldn’t leave much free time.

The order book from last night was stacked, bookings not open until after mid-August.

Each outfit ranged from a few thousand at minimum, up to seven or eight hundred thousand a set—and some folks wanted to order dresses costing over a million.

Cheaper pieces were easy to manage, but the big-ticket ones—everyone was hesitant, needed more warming up before committing.

As Sophia came up to the big courtyard, she bumped into Ethan picking out horses.

She didn’t go over, because...

By the stables.

Ethan was holding Hugh Irving from behind, chin resting on her shoulder.

"Stay tonight, yeah? Mr. Sterling and them are staying too. It’s been ages since we’ve..."

Ethan’s flirty whisper drifted to Sophia’s ears; she hurried away in a panic.

Hugh looked around to make sure no one was watching, then turned and shoved Ethan away. "Dream on!"

Ethan wasn’t about to let go. He wrapped her round the waist, tugging her close.

"I really do want to bring you home, but tonight’s just a fluke—don’t be mad. My dad invited Mr. Sterling and Auntie first, and only then looped you in. If you don’t believe me, just ask your bestie—we do this roundup every year!" Ethan coaxed, still a little bossy.

Hugh knew he was telling the truth; they had a yearly gathering, always at the racetrack, so his dad basically knew all of Ethan’s friends—and, frankly, made it a point to take care of them.

So for Hugh, coming over—his dad just saw it as normal.

Charles Sinclair thought his son was a bit of a slacker, so hey, having friends was already a win; even better if it’s a girlfriend. If things really worked out long-term, he’d go above and beyond for her.

Ethan saw Hugh keeping quiet and snatched her chin for a fierce kiss—quickly slipping his tongue between her lips.

Hugh got spooked and shoved him away.

Ethan just held her waist tighter.

"Come on, babe, let me have a kiss, just one little kiss..."

Hugh was gonna die of frustration—if anyone walked by and caught them, she was finished!

She thought that, but she was powerless to resist. In no time, Ethan kissed her into submission.

Ethan knew every corner of his family’s grounds, and while he was kissing her, he led her over to a hidden wall corner, pinning her up against it.

There were some bushes nearby; if you didn’t look closely, you’d never know anyone was hiding there.

Zane followed Sophia to the main courtyard, and seeing her dash out in a panic, he was about to ask but Sophia dragged him out.

"What’s up?" Zane asked.

"There’s a dog in there," she said.

Just then, Beau—tottering over in her heels—spotted the two of them walking past, and promptly left, too.

Right on cue, Charles Sinclair dragged in a freshly butchered sheep.

"You’re all here!" Charles called out.