CHAPTER 17: CHAPTER 17: MOVING INTO HIS HOME

Henry Quinn stared at her unblinkingly, calmly wiping away the tears on his face.

He didn’t utter a single complaint.

At this moment, he noticed the phone in Sophia Lowell’s hand. Just as the call connected, he snatched it away.

"Give it back! Henry Quinn!" She couldn’t move, hysterically screaming.

"Still expecting him at this point? Ha! He might know you’re carrying his child today, but tomorrow he’ll be trying every way to make you abort it, won’t he?"

He sneered and hung up the call, then tossed the phone aside.

"He wouldn’t! Not everyone is like you!"

"I’m doing this for you, Sophia Lowell! I love you! I truly love you!" The smell of alcohol poured out from his mouth.

"Henry Quinn, I believe you love me. Let me go first, let’s talk properly..."

Sophia pleaded, afraid of angering him.

But his eyes were bloodshot, he had lost all reason.

He leaned down, staring at her, suddenly tearing off the already damaged clothes on her body.

Screech—

She felt her whole body turn cold, exposed in the air, her porcelain-white shoulder was instantly pulled out in a long red mark.

"Henry Quinn! You’re crazy!"

"I’m crazy for you!" He roared!

Outside the door, a loud banging sound came.

"Help! Help! Wah!"

Sophia’s mouth was covered by his large hand, blocking her nose and mouth.

She was suffocating.

Her mind went blank.

"Shut up!"

Henry Quinn’s strength was immense, pressing her nose bridge painfully, her cheeks distorted.

All she felt was darkness...

...

Soon, Sophia just felt her body lighten, fresh air rushing in, she felt alive again...

"Cough, cough..." Sophia Lowell.

And Henry Quinn was dragged to the ground by a shadow, heavy thuds of flesh hitting echoed along with painful wails.

Once, twice...

When she regained her senses, climbed up from the sofa and finally realized Zane Sterling was standing in the living room.

His gaze was ferocious, droplets of blood scattered on his rimless glasses, his white shirt stained red by blood.

Calmly wiping blood off his hands with a tissue.

"Ugh—" And Henry Quinn was lying on the ground, moaning in agony.

Blood flowed on the floor, the whole room filled with a nauseating stench of bloodshed.

"Zane Sterling?" Sophia Lowell.

This wasn’t a dream—

It was him.

"Mm." He turned his head to glance at her.

Sophia Lowell’s dried tears shamefully flowed again.

Then Ethan Sinclair rushed in hastily, his feet stomping on the displaced door, echoing loudly.

"Call the police and an ambulance, notify someone at Quinn Corporation." Zane Sterling.

"Okay..."

Ethan Sinclair retrieved a phone from his pocket, face pale, trembling as he dialed the police.

Zane Sterling sighed almost imperceptibly, picked up the suit jacket thrown on the sofa, and walked toward her.

He knelt on one knee on the sofa, his cold gaze locking onto her, rudely draped the clothing over her, then pulled her towards himself.

"This is the last time I’ll ask you, are you coming with me?!"

He grabbed the collar, trapping the small figure within his coat.

His tone was firm, firm enough that if she shook her head, he would turn and leave.

"I will."

Her tear-streaked eyes looked at him, the broken voice came out hoarsely from her throat without hesitation, evoking sympathy.

Zane Sterling’s Adam’s apple rolled, thinking he had misheard, he froze for several seconds.

"Are you sure?"

Sophia Lowell said nothing, knelt up, her trembling lashes closed, cold lips approached his blood-tinged lips.

Heat intertwined instantly, then quickly separated.

Zane Sterling, with his composed gaze, reached out his large warm hand, caressed the tear marks on her face, then embraced her.

Soon, the police arrived; the inquiry went smoothly.

Later the ambulance took Henry Quinn away from the floor.

——

"I’ll take her back first, you find someone to move the luggage."

Zane Sterling reached out both hands, holding her tightly, stroking her sweat-dampened hair, then carefully picked her up horizontally, walking toward the door.

"Okay." Ethan Sinclair.

Sophia Lowell quietly lifted her gaze to look at him, absorbing the unique scent he carried.

She was held the entire time, from getting into the car to reaching his villa, he didn’t let Sophia touch the ground, all the way into the bathroom.

"I can do it myself."

The bathroom was large, but the enclosed space made her feel tense and afraid.

"Okay, I’ll get you some clothes, make do with what you have for now." Zane Sterling didn’t look at her much, then turned and walked out.

Sophia breathed a sigh of relief and stood in front of the mirror, staring at herself, unable to shake off the incident she just experienced.

She looked again at the coat she was wearing, took it off, and secretly kissed it: "Thank you."

"Knock, knock..." The bathroom door was knocked on.

Sophia opened a crack, only to see a veined hand pushing a black shirt inside.

She took it, and a pair of slippers was also tossed in onto the floor.

"Thank you."

"Call me if you need anything."

"Okay."

After what felt like ages, she blow-dried her hair in the bathroom, pulling her long hair to her chest because there was no bra, and the black shirt she wore would expose her.

To put it simply, she wore nothing underneath.

Summoning her courage, she walked out.

The room was empty; she walked through the study, crossed the wardrobe room, and arrived at the familiar ’battleground’ of that night.

Her hands were tightly clenched, overwhelmed by the nerves and fear.

At that moment, she heard rustling sounds outside the door and quickly hid under the covers.

"Knock knock knock..." There was a knocking at the door.

"Come in." She responded cautiously.

It was Zane Sterling who opened the door, pulling her suitcase inside—it was her suitcase.

"I brought your luggage back, I’ve arranged a day off for you tomorrow, take a rest before going to work. Change your clothes and let me know when you’re done, I’ll apply some ointment then," he said.

"Okay."

He had bathed at some point and changed into clean loungewear.

His tone was still icy cold, without a hint of emotion; he didn’t even glance at her before stepping outside, gently closing the door.

Sophia stared at the door blankly.

She admired his poise and gentlemanly nature, it must be said, if she loved him, he would be a wonderful partner.

She opened her suitcase, living alone meant her pajamas were always the skimpiest, so she didn’t bother changing, simply wearing a layer underneath his oversized shirt, and called him in.

Zane brought a medicine box, placing it by the bed.

Sophia hadn’t noticed until now that her hands were covered in scratches.

His actions were gentle, one hand holding hers, the other delicately applying ointment.

The redness on her wrists and slight swelling on her face, "How did you get here so fast?"

She was curious; she had just called him and he came right over.

"I followed you back from the hospital, you went upstairs, and we only left then; seeing Henry Quinn enter the elevator, I feared he’d bully you, so I turned back, just as I received your call."

"You followed me back?"

"Yes."

"Good thing you did..." she replied softly.

Zane’s ears turned red.

"But, you took off your door again."

"Heh heh..." Sophia chuckled quietly.

This was his second time removing the door, three thousand dollars gone again.

"Now for your face." Zane set her hand down and took a new cotton swab.

Sophia swallowed, unsure where to look.

Zane still retained his icy demeanor, his expression unreadable, carefully holding her chin and applying ointment to her face.

Their clear breaths mingled, creating an intimate atmosphere.

Sophia faintly heard their heartbeats; she realized how close they were, incredibly close.

For the first time, she looked at him so closely, every pore on his face clearly visible.

His face was flawless, with thick brows, almond eyes, a tall nose, and pink lips, making her want to kiss...

Sophia felt embarrassed by her whimsical thoughts, quickly lowering her head.

"Did I hurt you?" Even his gentle words were spoken coldly.

"No, not at all..."

Zane noticed the redness on her cheeks and couldn’t help but avert his gaze.

"The other side," he reminded.

Sophia quickly turned her face, closing her eyes to prevent any wandering thoughts, choosing not to look.

Zane’s lips curled slightly, watching the deeply flushed girl.

Once he finished applying the ointment, he tidied up and said, "You haven’t had dinner, right? The Grand Eatery sent over food, let’s go have some dinner before sleep."

"Okay."

"I’ll wait for you downstairs."

Zane walked out first, giving her time to collect herself.