CHAPTER 61: CHAPTER 61: STILL JUST LIP SERVICE

After settling the luggage, Ethan Sinclair took Hugh Irving to find Sophia.

"He’s kind of sly, huh? This huge apartment with only one bedroom—just wants to make sure nobody interrupts you two."

Hugh Irving and Sophia were sitting on the living room couch, snacking.

Ethan Sinclair was in the kitchen, making lunch.

"No, I heard a couple years back his leg was bad, didn’t want anyone bothering him, so he only set up one bedroom."

Zane Sterling’s affairs were secretly asked about from Zoe Walsh.

There was also a reason why he only wore black clothes.

The year of the incident, he was on a mission in plain clothes, wearing white.

After the accident, his clothes were drenched in blood, and since then, he only wore black.

Before she knew the story, the first time she made a white shirt for him, it was petty—she just wanted to see if he’d wear it.

Turned out, he really did wear it.

After knowing the truth, she still made white shirts, hoping he’d let go of the darkness.

Seems like he didn’t mind either way.

"His leg was bad, so—does it, you know, work?"

"..."

Sophia’s face instantly flushed, recalling last night in the study, and honestly... she felt it did work.

Should be fine... right?

Hugh Irving looked expectant, eager to hear how these two emotionally-stunted people got along.

"We still haven’t..." Sophia.

"Still stuck at just kissing friendship?" She looked genuinely shocked.

"Heh."

Hugh Irving couldn’t wrap her head around it—this guy, he’s obviously got that vibe, he wouldn’t be so half-hearted.

And with Sophia being such a knockout right next to him, how does he even hold back?

"He’s coming home tonight."

"Finally willing to come home? What, did something happen?"

Sophia filled her in on everything that happened over the past few days.

Hugh Irving’s jaw practically dropped.

"What do I do, I’m so nervous."

"What’s there to be nervous about? It’s not like you haven’t slept together before."

...

"Ladies, food’s ready!" Ethan Sinclair brought out the dishes from the kitchen.

The two put down their snacks and walked over to the dining table.

"I can’t cook, so you’ll have to make do."

Hugh Irving threw out some polite words.

But when they actually started eating, she realized yeah, they really did "make do."

If they’d known, they would’ve just ordered takeout—but when these two start chatting, they forget everything else.

"Tonight Mr. Sterling is hosting at The Grand Eatery, so you’ll get a proper meal then."

Ethan Sinclair awkwardly swallowed the food he’d made.

——

At night, Ethan Sinclair drove.

He’d been listening to these two women chatter all day, and even in the car it’s nonstop.

His ears were about to grow calluses.

"Found a new place yet?" Sophia.

"Not yet. That’s why I borrowed Ethan from Mr. Sterling, so I could check out those properties you recommended."

"Nice, so I’ll have a buddy to hang out with now."

"Capitalists, so damn annoying." Ethan Sinclair gripped the steering wheel.

"Assistant Sinclair, if this works out we’ll take you clubbing. Got you out just to let you unwind. You helped Sophia out so much, gotta reward you somehow."

Hugh Irving wore a mischievous grin.

Ethan Sinclair chuckled.

He knew Sophia had a gaggle of girlfriends, all pretty wild—she probably wasn’t kidding about going clubbing.

"Hey, has he added you yet?"

Hugh Irving slyly leaned over toward Sophia.

Sophia opened up her WhatsApp alt and saw that familiar profile photo.

"He added me."

"Tsk tsk, wanna try an internet fling with him using your alt, see if he’s got any self-control?"

"You’re insane!"

The two started whispering in the back seat.

The car stopped at ground level; Sophia and Hugh Irving got out, Ethan Sinclair drove down to the basement.

Unlucky—they ran into someone they knew in the lobby.

Aurora Rhodes.

But neither greeted the other, just acted like strangers.

Sophia didn’t think twice and entered the elevator with Hugh Irving.

Zane Sterling had booked a private room and was already there.

Bianca White was busy checking documents on the side.

"Mr. Sterling’s really punctual, huh."

Zane Sterling hummed, fixing his gaze on Sophia.

Feeling a bit self-conscious, Sophia walked over to him and sat next to him.

He curled his lips in a smile and whispered, "Did you sleep well last night?"

"Slept funny."

Sophia rubbed her neck, a little annoyed.

He snickered.

Last night, after kissing by the curb for ten minutes, her neck probably locked up from tilting it so much.

If she hadn’t dozed off halfway in the car, he would’ve kept her up all night after they got home.

As it was, he had to take a few cold showers to chill out.

"No drinking tonight."

"..."

The obvious hint made Sophia even more nervous.

"Hey, there’s still someone else here. Mind showing a little respect?"

Seeing these two whispering, Hugh Irving couldn’t help but get annoyed.

This was supposed to be a welcome dinner—and now the main guest was getting the cold shoulder.

"No rush, Professor Irving, the food’s already ordered."

Zane Sterling smiled.

Soon, the dishes arrived one after another, and Ethan Sinclair joined them.

They were drinking apple cider vinegar—not alcohol.

"Ariel isn’t planning on leaving after coming back this time. She’s thinking about opening a studio nearby. Got any good spots to recommend?"

Sophia served Zane Sterling a piece of meat.

"Shouldn’t be a problem, just send me the space requirements later, and I’ll ask around."

"Then I’ll thank Mr. Sterling in advance."

Hugh Irving raised her apple vinegar to him.

After dinner, Bianca White and Ethan Sinclair sat on the sofa next to the private room, busy working.

Touring the country for ages, Hugh Irving was showing off the food, looking totally satisfied.

Sophia went to the restroom.

Zane Sterling, meanwhile, opened up WhatsApp to study his newly-added "Scatterbrain."

He checked her Moments, then her profile info—he just couldn’t shake the feeling she was familiar.

After finishing in the restroom, Sophia walked past a private room with the door slightly ajar—inside, she heard a familiar name.

"That Aurora Rhodes..."

It was a fat middle-aged man speaking, his face all jowly and sleazy.

She paused in her tracks.

"Only been open two days and already aiming for the big leagues, huh? Not so easy."

"Just because her family’s loaded, she hustled us out for a meeting—she’s awfully impatient."

"Impatience isn’t a problem, question is, which kind of impatient~"

Roars of laughter erupted from inside the private room.

"She’s just a little chick—don’t scare her off, she’s gotta do business with us later."

A flamboyant woman chimed in.

"Oh, we’ll definitely do business—and other things too, hah!"

More laughter followed.

"Enough joking, whoever gets her to drink this glass, all my future projects will go to them!"

...

Guess that glass is something strong.

Sophia smiled, just as she spotted Aurora Rhodes heading over.

"What a coincidence."

Sophia stepped up to greet her.

Aurora Rhodes didn’t even acknowledge her.

"Hey, don’t rush off."

Sophia shot her a glance and stopped at the corner.

"What, need cash so you’re out hustling for business now?"

"Come on, finally dragged myself out of bed—gotta eat something good to recharge. Or else I’ll be screwed again tonight."

"..."

Aurora Rhodes always felt like she couldn’t win an argument with her.

"If you’ve got something to say, spit it out."

She impatiently glanced at the door to the private room nearby.

Sophia reached out to adjust Aurora’s shirt, covering her snow-white chest.

Aurora Rhodes batted her hand away with disgust.

She smiled and said,

"You’ve had enough to drink tonight—don’t have any more, or who knows where you’ll wake up tomorrow."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Literally what I said."

Sophia left her with, "You’re a smart girl."

And walked away.