CHAPTER 22: CHAPTER 22: HE WON GLORIOUSLY

Return to the living room.

The maid is already heating up the food.

Zane Sterling took all the clothes she had bought upstairs, with Sophia Lowell holding the flowers, following him.

Looking at his broad shoulders and narrow waist from the back, a wave of fervor swept over her face.

There’s no denying it, his build is perfect, with flawless abs, though she couldn’t remember how many, it’s a lot, with an amazing feel, silky and elastic...

Sophia held her forehead, trying not to recall that day’s scene.

Returning to the room, Zane Sterling unexpectedly helped her neatly place all the clothes in the wardrobe, including her lingerie...

Only when Sophia was arranging the tulips in the flower vase, which had never held flowers before, did she remember that she had bought new lingerie.

She hurriedly ran back to the walk-in closet, finding out he had already organized everything.

"Hungry?" Zane Sterling came toward her.

"A little." She quickly turned around and walked out of the closet.

"You need to change this bad habit of irregular eating."

"Oh." She couldn’t help but chuckle softly and walked towards the first floor.

Arriving downstairs, the dishes were already served.

Sophia went to the kitchen to wash her hands.

"Sir is really good to you, waiting outside for you all this time, and he hasn’t taken a bite of the food." The maid whispered softly in Sophia’s ear.

Sophia wiped her hands, looking in Zane Sterling’s direction.

He was to the side, on the phone, pacing back and forth unintentionally, his gaze just meeting Sophia’s.

Both quickly averted their eyes.

——

"Did you drink the milk today?" Zane Sterling picked several pieces of meat for her.

"I did, thank you."

So formal, nothing like a couple, as if it was a leveling-up game requiring task completion.

"Tonight, turn off the alarm; no need to get up so early. We’ll head out tomorrow around ten-thirty in the morning." Zane Sterling.

"?" Sophia pondered his words: "Are you going too?"

"Didn’t you check the schedule?" Zane Sterling raised an eyebrow, his gaze obscure and intimidating, making Sophia shiver.

"..."

"I’m sorry, Mr. Sterling..." Nervously, her words stumbled.

Done for, if this was at the company, she’d surely face who knows what kind of scolding.

"No worries, you don’t have to check, just follow me when the time comes."

Zane Sterling finished the bite in his mouth, seemingly contemplating something.

Sophia sighed in relief, feeling like just getting off work only to have started working again back home.

Isn’t this leaving a bad impression on him?

Zane Sterling placed down his bowl and chopsticks, suddenly remembering something, he said: "Henry Quinn is still in the hospital, though the police station had someone suppress the matter, there’s no record."

Hearing this, Sophia’s scalp tingled, her knuckles gripping the chopsticks pale.

For Henry Quinn to be pulled out, the power behind him must be significant.

"Did you offend someone?" Zane Sterling’s gaze was cold and sharp.

Sophia didn’t dare to look at him, she had planned to discuss this matter some days ago, but Zane Sterling hadn’t given the chance, so she didn’t speak up.

Since he asked today, Sophia didn’t hide anything, recounting the whole story thoroughly.

Zane Sterling chuckled.

To think, he laughed in such a situation.

"What are you laughing at?" Sophia asked suspiciously.

He licked his lips, saying: "Killing two birds with one stone, borrowing a knife to kill, quite impressive."

Her handling of this matter had caught people off guard, Zane Sterling had thought she was merely someone who wouldn’t back down verbally, not realizing how strong her defense system was.

Inwardly, he couldn’t help but admire, feeling for a moment that his gamble had been worthwhile.

"Really..." Sophia was startled, fearing he’d be angry for bringing trouble: "You didn’t think I..."

"You did well, but if similar things happen next time, let me know, don’t act rashly."

Zane Sterling reached out and wiped the rice at the corner of her mouth.

Did his words mean: If anything happens, tell me; I’ll protect you?

Sophia stayed where she was, the spot on her mouth he had touched feeling hot, her heart racing, cheeks blushing.

Suddenly, Zane Sterling seemed so gentle, leaving her mind blank.

"I’ll go shower first." Zane Sterling patted her head, leaving the dining table.

He stroked her head...

Sophia was completely dazed, her gaze trailing his departure until he entered the room.

She took a deep breath, pinching her cheeks, not dreaming.

No one had ever told her in this lifetime, with me here, don’t be afraid.

But just now, Zane Sterling’s words inside and out conveyed just that.

She absentmindedly ate, recalling what he said earlier, her face turning red.

——

After the shower, Zane Sterling was in the study handling files on the computer.

Sophia sat on the small sofa in the study, working overtime on her drawings.

Yet, her mind couldn’t focus, occupied with Zane Sterling’s subtle gestures towards her...

Her mood was restless; she tossed the computer aside and sprawled on the sofa.

Zane Sterling glanced at her, her perfect figure outlined by the silk home wear, making his throat move involuntarily.

Suddenly, finding her quite adorable.

Soon, Sophia sat up, placed the drawing board down, silently searching on the computer.

"Zane Sterling." She tilted her head to look at him.

"Hmm?"

"Where did you put the box of drafts from the last move?"

She vaguely remembered some things were sorted by Zane Sterling.

He slowly stood, walked to the display shelf by the book wall, and took out a large box.

"Is this what you mean?"

"Yeah, that’s it." Sophia kneeled on the sofa, took the box, feeling she’d found a treasure.

"You didn’t prepare the drafts either, right?" Zane Sterling saw through her little thoughts.

"Hehe..." Sophia giggled somewhat apologetically, holding the box on the sofa and opening it.

"It’s okay, I have a lot of drafts saved up."

Zane Sterling didn’t return to the desk but sat beside her, one hand on the back of the sofa behind her.

Suddenly, Sophia tensed up, nerves taut.

What’s he up to? Is it going to be a kiss, or...

She cautiously glanced at him: "You..."

"I’ll take a look." He seemed quite casual.

"Oh."

Sophia’s hands trembled, it’s late at night, sitting so close, she could feel even his breath.

She could sense the sandalwood fragrance on Zane Sterling gradually spreading onto herself.

She hadn’t prepared any drafts, so she could only use those from previous years, wondering if they could be used.

She flipped through them page by page, Zane Sterling’s gaze following her movements.

Zane Sterling casually picked up a drawing draft, studying it seriously, seemingly having seen it somewhere before but unable to recall where.

Sophia hurriedly snatched it away, quickly placed it back in the box, fearing he’d notice something.

"Let me sort them before showing you, you go back to work..." She hastily scooted aside.

Zane Sterling chuckled, stood, and returned to the computer desk.

He glanced at the tulip on the desk, his well-defined fingers couldn’t help but touch it, a slight smile forming at the corner of his mouth, then resumed his work.