CHAPTER 92: CHAPTER 92: AFRAID OF GETTING BACKDOORED

The banquet was about to start, and they started heading out one after another.

Elder Jennings was still chatting with Zane Sterling.

Professor Carter and Sophia Lowell followed behind, talking and laughing.

Sitting not far away, Sylvia Coldwell looked at Sophia in surprise.

Professor Carter was known for being reticent and not fond of crowds, sometimes even ignoring acquaintances.

Many people longed to become his right-hand assistant.

Rumor had it that he had two students, both top figures in the fashion industry.

One was the talented Faye Ellison, who spent all his time in the studio, and it was nearly impossible to get him to design clothes personally.

The other one was unknown.

There were indeed very few who could converse with him.

This Sophia Lowell, who was she that had so many people revolving around her?

Elder Jennings led them to sit at the number one round table.

Sylvia Coldwell tightly clutched the coat on her lap.

Sophia Lowell could actually sit at the main table, talking and laughing!

Sophia nudged Zane Sterling’s elbow, "I don’t drink, maybe I should make room and leave..."

Zane held her hand, placing it on his leg.

"The seating is arranged by status. Wherever I rank, that’s where you rank. Where do you think you’re going?"

She pursed her lips and obediently sat beside him.

Gradually, the table filled up with people.

She again spotted that man, Clay Gable—

Their eyes met briefly and then shifted away.

He seemed to be everywhere.

He was sitting directly across from Sophia, and even across a five-meter round table, the unease was palpable.

At that moment, a young, beautiful, and capable woman sat down beside her.

They nodded at each other.

Due to her period, she hadn’t eaten much.

Zane noticed her discomfort and served her a bowl of black chicken soup.

"Warm up a bit, I’ll make you something to eat later."

"..."

Whether it was her or him being suggestive, she always felt like he was making inappropriate jokes.

He chuckled, squeezed her hand, "What are you thinking about?"

Sophia pinched his thigh.

Clunk—

The man was all muscle.

Except for his soft lips, there wasn’t a soft spot on him.

To Zane, her pinch felt like a gentle tap.

The corners of his mouth curved even more.

He leaned in and whispered in her ear, "Don’t rush, let’s wait until we get back."

Sophia’s face flushed red hot.

Was he planning to fight a bloody battle again?

With the group of men drinking and chatting, Sophia left the table after eating a little.

Coincidentally, the woman beside her also got up to leave.

They went together to a nearby courtyard for tea.

At that time, Colby Jennings had been sitting at the tea table for quite a while.

He had a cigarette between his fingers, alternating between drinking tea and smoking.

The tea fragrance mixed mildly with the tobacco scent, which was unpleasant.

He glanced sideways at the two as they walked in, wisely placing two warm cups in front of them.

After they introduced themselves, Sophia raised her gaze.

"Nathan’s tea is warm, Colby’s clear song is cold. Are you Director Jennings’ sister?"

Nathan Jennings smiled gently, "Miss Lowell, no wonder you are Professor Carter’s student."

"When did Professor Carter’s taste change like this?" Colby Jennings sneered.

He initially quite liked Sophia, but upon hearing she was ’kept’, he suddenly felt stained himself.

"Brother, you have a sharp tongue." Nathan didn’t know why he had a grudge against Sophia, but couldn’t help chiding.

Sophia noticed his contrasting attitude towards her but didn’t mind.

After chatting for a while, Sophia picked up her bag and headed to the restroom.

After having a bowl of black chicken soup, she felt a bit more.

She touched her lower abdomen and leisurely walked out.

She checked her phone and sent a message to Zane Sterling: "Don’t drink too much; I’m taking a stroll in the courtyard."

He replied instantly: "Got it, darling."

Sophia smiled, put away her phone, and planned to take a walk around.

The whole courtyard looked like a palace, full of ancient charm, with ground lamps everywhere and plenty of lanterns over the doors, looking impressive.

She wandered aimlessly, arriving at the back garden that Nathan had mentioned several times.

She circled the yard and came under a plum blossom tree.

She smiled, recalling the time she sent flowers to Zane in The S Republic.

Zane wasn’t someone who liked flowers, but he was quite happy to receive them.

Without asking the owner, she couldn’t pick any, so she tiptoed and leaned in.

A faint fragrance wafted into her nose.

"So what? I’m here anyway?"

"If you had any sense of shame, you wouldn’t show up again so as not to dirty my hands!"

Just a wall apart, Sophia heard two young women confronting each other.

She instinctively opened her phone to record.

The biggest fear in such situations was being falsely accused, a lesson learned from "Empresses in the Palace."

She didn’t like eavesdropping, but she loved enjoying flowers by the wall.

"You know how you got in here. If the Jennings Family finds out, see if you dare act arrogant!" a mature woman accused.

The alluring woman ignored her: "Wouldn’t it be better if they knew? I’m pregnant with a Jennings baby, what can you do? Ask Second Brother if he’ll drive me out?"

"First time I’ve heard a mistress act so shamelessly! Do you not know if the child is a Jennings?"

"Annie, stop joking. What if my child isn’t his? Does Second Brother believe you? Second Brother doesn’t love you. You’re only together through an alliance. You’re the one being shameless!

The unloved one is the mistress! Otherwise, why would Second Brother bring me in?"

Sophia watched the flowers for a while and understood the situation.

Elder Jennings’ second grandson, Warren Jennings, was in an arranged marriage with Annie from the Abbott Group. They had no feelings for each other and were childless after two years of marriage.

Warren Jennings and Vivian Hale were passionately involved, and she took the opportunity to get pregnant.

But from the conversation, this child might not be Warren Jennings’.

Sophia smiled, thinking how alarming an affluent family could be.

Then she paused, realizing she too had married into an affluent family.

She shivered, wondering if she’d encounter such a situation herself.

"Oh no, you pushed me?" Vivian’s voice called out.

Annie staggered back in panic, "Slut, you were waiting for today, weren’t you? Waiting for Elder Jennings to see and admit you?

Hmph! I didn’t push you! You’ll pay for this!"

Vivian laughed softly: "Annie, is there anyone who saw?"

Annie was filled with cold sweat. As she was about to run, she heard Vivian’s loud cries.

"Ah! My baby! Annie! Don’t go! You dare push me? If anything happens to my child, I’ll never forgive you!"

Vivian screamed, drawing people towards them.

Annie rushed off and fell by the flower bed.

Her eyes accidentally met Sophia’s on the other side of the wall.

Sophia stood up and casually walked over to help her up, gently rubbing her shoulders.

At that moment, a warm body approached her.

She turned her head to see Zane standing beside her.

His body always felt warmer, even standing by her side felt warm.

"Why are you here?" Sophia asked.

Zane quietly said, "Afraid of home being raided."

"..."