CHAPTER 87: CHAPTER 87: HE DOESN’T HAVE TO BE THERE

Butler Langley parked the car not far from the sweet shop.

Zane Sterling draped on his jacket and adjusted the collar.

"Wait for me in the car."

"Okay." Sophia Lowell smiled.

He got out of the car, and before the door closed, he pinched her cheek.

On a February night, the first light snow before the Spring Festival arrived.

The heater was on in the car, snowflakes fell on the windows, and soon melted away.

Sophia watched through the slightly foggy window as he walked toward the dessert shop with steady steps.

In the night illuminated with colorful lights, his tall and slender silhouette was outlined.

"Butler Langley, what was Zane Sterling like before?"

Butler Langley was not a talkative person, and it was the first time he saw his mistress talking to him.

"Before Madam came, Mr. Sterling never said anything unnecessary, except to tell me the destination."

Butler Langley glanced at Sophia’s curved lips through the rearview mirror.

He smiled and added.

"Sir is a good man."

Sophia intently watched him, agreeing with Butler Langley’s words.

"I also think he’s a good man."

"Madam, you are a good person too."

"Hehe..."

The two laughed foolishly in the car.

After waiting for about ten minutes.

Zane Sterling came back to the car with three portions of dessert.

Upon returning to the villa, he handed a dessert to Butler Langley and gave him a holiday off.

Butler Langley thanked him repeatedly with excitement.

The bodyguards and maids in the villa were also given a holiday.

——

After taking a bath, the two sat in the study eating desserts.

It was still that ’Pity on the Jade and Fragrance’.

Sophia contentedly took a sip, she hadn’t had it for a long time.

Zane Sterling curled his lips, took a napkin, and wiped the red rice from the corner of her mouth.

"Are you sure you’ll go to the company with me tomorrow?"

"I want to sleep in and bring you lunch at noon."

"Okay."

Sophia shyly asked, "Will Ethan Sinclair be there too?"

There was a hint of amusement in Zane Sterling’s eyes, "He doesn’t have to be."

"..."

He doesn’t have to be?

That’s not okay, he must be there.

Her cheeks warmed.

The room’s atmosphere suddenly grew intense.

She recalled the scene on the sofa in the CEO’s office that day.

A two-and-a-half-hour lunch break, aside from eating and tidying up, he was racing against time.

Demanding thoroughly.

She tried to suppress her urge to call out.

But his powerful grasp held her.

She was like a fish deprived of oxygen, about to be swept ashore.

Wave after wave struck her.

So much that she didn’t want to speak for the rest of that afternoon.

Sophia hurriedly took a big bite of dessert to distract her mind.

Cutting off those wild thoughts in her head.

Zane Sterling watched her flushed face and knew what she was thinking.

He couldn’t help but smile smugly to himself.

After finishing the dessert, she was so full, she sat on the sofa reading to pass the time.

Zane Sterling was in front of the computer going through documents, occasionally receiving calls.

"I’ve reviewed the plan, it’s fine... pick a good day... New Year’s Eve then... clean up thoroughly."

After hanging up, he turned his attention to Sophia.

Sophia didn’t notice what he said.

——

Dextrous fingers hooked the drawer handle, pulled, and opened it.

The eye-catching words ’ultra-thin, long-lasting’ appeared before her eyes.

A distinct hand took out a small plastic bag from it.

"You do it..."

Zane Sterling lay on the bed, a light sweat on his forehead, a devilish grin at the corner of his lips.

He handed the little piece of plastic to her.

Her long hair fell over her chest, slightly blocking the view.

Her face was bright red, and her pink lips hesitated to speak.

Some sweat streaked her hair, sticking to her fair skin.

She cautiously took the little plastic bag.

"Rip—"

Her heartbeat quickened with the opening of the bag.

Zane Sterling watched her inexperienced manner, his eyes growing intense.

By the time Sophia nestled in his arms fell asleep, it was already the middle of the night.

Zane Sterling ran his hand through her hair, placing a kiss on her forehead.

"Good night."

"...Good night."

She drowsily responded, snuggling closer into his embrace, her small hand resting on his abs, reluctant to let go.

The next day.

She slept until ten.

After carefully preparing lunch, she drove to the company.

The company was already on holiday, with only security at the gate.

By the time she arrived, it was already past noon, and she entered through the underground parking lot.

Upon reaching the CEO’s office, just in time for the meeting to adjourn.

A large crowd came towards her, clearly not employees of the company.

Ethan Sinclair was leading them towards the elevator, his eyes meeting hers briefly.

Sophia didn’t ask and stepped aside, letting them pass.

Her eyes fell on the fleeting file cover.

...Acquisition plan.

She couldn’t see it all, but the logo seemed like a recently rising autonomous car company.

Without thinking much, she carried the lunch inside.

Inside, Zane Sterling was still discussing car test issues.

The door was open, and as she approached, he was earnestly explaining the flaws in the files, marking key points with a pen.

He was dressed differently than his usual formal wear.

He wore slacks with a black turtleneck sweater, topped with a long wool coat.

The sweater highlighted his firm physique, giving a look of casual sophistication.

Sitting at the desk, he adjusted his rimless glasses, glanced up at the listening woman nearby.

The woman smiled, nodded subtly.

"Now I understand, thank you, Mr. Sterling."

The woman was charming, with poised manners, also dressed in black, radiating a wild beauty.

"You’re welcome. It’s been hard work these days, once it’s over, take an early break."

He smiled slightly, shifting his gaze.

Sophia couldn’t help but look a bit longer.

Seeing their serious conversation, she cautiously knocked on the door.

Knock knock—

Their eyes turned towards the entrance.

Zane Sterling set down the file, a smile on his lips, and went to greet her.

"You’re here."

"Mm."

Sophia walked in, nodding at the woman.

The woman returned her smile.

Zane Sterling took the lunch from her, deliberately squeezing her hand, and quietly asked, "How many servings did you make?"

Her cheeks slowly turned rosy.

Sophia ignored the questioning look and gave him a you-eat-or-leave-it look.

He chuckled, taking her hand and leading her to a table nearby.

Then he remembered someone else was present.

The woman awkwardly watched them, saying, "Mr. Sterling, I won’t intrude on you two any longer."

Zane Sterling placed the lunch on the table, setting it up while saying, "Alright."

He didn’t even give her a glance.

Watching both Sophia and Zane Sterling, the woman pursed her lips into a line and wisely closed the door behind her.

Once the woman left, Sophia couldn’t help but ask, "Who was she just now..."

"The general manager of the car company, Beau Morgan."

Zane Sterling didn’t elaborate at that moment, wanting just to sit down peacefully and have a meal with her.

Sophia glanced at the files set aside, unaware, she carefully tidied them up, placing them on a table beside.

After clearing the table, she intended to leave, but Zane Sterling insisted she stay and help review next year’s plans.

She found that Zane Sterling’s computer contained not just their group’s documents, but information from other fields as well.

Sophia grew curious, tilting her head to observe him attending a serious meeting, furrowing his brows attentively.