CHAPTER 32: CHAPTER 32: THE SHOTGUN MARRIAGE HITS THE MARK

The only sound around was the breeze and his heavy breathing.

Sophia Lowell pushed him anxiously, afraid that passersby would see. In broad daylight, under the sun, it would be quite embarrassing if anyone witnessed it.

But the more she pushed, the tighter he held her.

Her slender waist was pressed against his firm abs, her feet barely touching the ground, only her toes supporting her.

She clung to his wool sweater, eyes shut tight, daring not to look at the surroundings, nor him.

She gently patted his chest, and he kissed her even more tenderly.

One hand held the back of her head, making their kiss even more fitting.

His scent was fresh, with a hint of sweetness.

Sophia softened, her lips were pried open, a wave of heat accompanied by sweetness surged in, and she couldn’t help but moan softly.

She was bewildered, feeling so enamored, as if soaring to the clouds.

...

"The young couple is making out, Mr. Sterling wouldn’t do that here, right, beast?!" Ethan Sinclair joked, dragging Wyatt Nash away, his gaze unintentionally flitting towards the rockery.

He paused for a moment, stunned.

Oh no, if they heard, his wallet might not survive.

He scoffed, beast—

"Really looks like it! You guys, look..." Wyatt Nash kept babbling.

Ethan Sinclair pulled him away by arm.

"Director Nash, you need to find yourself a girlfriend." Bianca White teased.

They gradually walked away.

Zane Sterling reluctantly left her lips.

At this point, her face was flushed, eyes filled with desire, breathing tenderly, and she leaned softly against his chest, her legs lacking strength.

His kissing skill had grown more adept, as if in every realm he could master things to perfection.

"Beast..." Sophia Lowell murmured softly.

Zane Sterling pinched her cheek, provoking her: "Yes."

His voice was low and hoarse, as his heated fingertip slid over her cheek, lighting it on fire, and she couldn’t help but clutch his clothes tightly, standing firmly.

She quite liked it, resisting the kiss but subconsciously delighted, even responding and meeting his kiss.

She couldn’t quite remember anymore.

It seemed like her mind and physical pleasure weren’t really connected, her mind resisted, while her body kept closing in.

She retreated two steps, leaving his embrace.

Zane Sterling smiled, looking at her lips marked from the kiss, he used his thumb to hook the corner of her lips, "Smudged."

"I’ll handle it myself." She turned away.

[Hello, Mom... Hmm... Okay.] Zane Sterling answered a call behind her.

On the way back.

"Mom said we’ll have dinner outside tonight." Zane Sterling seemed amused.

"Okay."

Quite typical of Ms. Lowell! She called the new son-in-law rather than her daughter, really couldn’t care less about appearances.

"I’ve heard, all your best friends are coming."

"Huh?" Sophia Lowell looked a bit surprised, her friends?

"Ariel is coming too." His sharp gaze through glasses fixed on her, emotions unreadable.

Ariel...

So he heard everything said on the balcony that day?!

"Oh..."

Her face blushed, following behind him, too embarrassed to walk alongside him.

He walked ahead with hands in pockets, his eyebrows slightly raised, seeming quite at ease.

——

In the private room of a high-end restaurant in The S Republic.

Dirtied her pants due to the massive amount, they were ten minutes late.

"Oh dear, kept you lovely ladies waiting!" Autumn Lowell entered the room first.

"Hello, Miss Lowell!" The three ladies inside cheerfully greeted Autumn Lowell as ’Miss Lowell.’

Their relationships were quite good privately, other than bringing her along to clubs.

Sophia Lowell and Zane Sterling followed right after.

"Our little sister is back! And she brought her beau along!"

A fashionably dressed woman with black wavy hair teased.

"Haha, hopefully you’ll bring someone tomorrow too!" Sophia Lowell awkwardly pulled him to a seat.

"No way, I don’t want that blessing!" The woman hastily deflected, afraid of marriage.

"My friends love joking, hope you’ll understand." Sophia Lowell awkwardly glanced at him, seeming like apologizing for something said wrong on the balcony last night.

"All good, no offense taken." Zane Sterling’s rare smile surprised Sophia, feeling this wasn’t the dominating figure she knew.

"That’s good." She tried calming herself: "Allow me to introduce." she said.

"Kai Jacobs, a musician." Sophia Lowell extended her hand, the fashionable woman greeted him, Zane Sterling nodded in return.

"This is Cheryl Shaw, a model."

Cheryl Shaw had a delicate face, evoking a unique charm, though not much of a talker, she nodded to Zane Sterling in respect.

"And this," Sophia Lowell took a long breath, continuing: "Hugh Irving, a fashion designer, my little Ariel."

Upon hearing this, Zane Sterling first glanced at Hugh Irving, then focused back on Sophia Lowell.

Sophia Lowell knew from Zane Sterling’s mind he likely pieced it together.

But he didn’t show much emotional change, which surprised both Hugh Irving and Sophia Lowell.

Hugh Irving had sleek black hair, a sharp oval face, tall stature of 1.7 meters, dressed fashionably.

"Hello, Mr. Sterling." Hugh Irving nodded, with a somewhat peculiar expression.

"Hello, Professor Irving." Zane Sterling nodded, paused for a while, and said: "Thank you."

See, knew he was a smart man.

Who knows what that thank you was for!

Hugh Irving’s lips pressed tight, his gaze shifting from him to Sophia, dared not speak.

Sophia Lowell merely held her forehead, looking desolate.

Luckily, none seemed to pick up on anything.

The dishes arrived quickly, they engaged in lively conversations, Zane Sterling occasionally joined, but mostly served her favorite dishes.

He even dexterously peeled the bristly prawns.

Watching his gentle and efficient demeanor, Sophia Lowell felt somewhat astonished, her heart stirred.

Dinner went pleasantly.

Zane Sterling went to the garage to get the car, the group waited downstairs at the restaurant.

"Thanks a lot!" Kai Jacobs raised a gift bag in hand, waggling it before Sophia.

"Hmm?" Sophia Lowell clung to Autumn Lowell, puzzled, still figuring out why everyone got one except her.

Autumn Lowell chuckled quietly, saying nothing.

"You have no idea?" Kai Jacobs curiously approached.

"No way?" Even the quiet Cheryl Shaw approached: "Heard it’s from Mrs. Sterling, each of us got one!"

Mrs. Sterling...

"Delivered by Secretary White." Hugh Irving gestured at Sophia, "Apologizing for a brief delay for us."

"Hehe..." The group of women chuckled quietly, only Sophia Lowell’s heart raced.

His thoughtfulness truly comprehensive.

"Sis, that flash marriage of yours, bang on!" Hugh Irving teased.