CHAPTER 96: CHAPTER 96: WHAT ARE YOU IMAGINING?

Eugene Sterling and Zoe Walsh haven’t come back yet from shopping for New Year’s goods.

A group of people not far away are glancing over here.

Looking at this new woman in the family.

Grandpa Sterling, off to the side, is organizing things while chatting with them, occasionally smiling in this direction.

His eldest grandson Ray Sterling touches his nose, his gaze resting on Sophia Lowell.

He presses his lips together, the corners of his mouth curling slightly.

——

"Sis, Brother-in-law."

Zane Sterling simply greets them, then hugs Ian Lynch.

The two exchange friendly punches.

Willow Sterling laughs, holding Sophia’s hand, and says, "They went to the same high school, your brother-in-law was his senior. They fought once and even had their parents called in. That’s when I met him too."

Sophia exclaims meaningfully, realizing that’s how fate works sometimes.

"Last time at Grandpa’s birthday, I heard you were coming, and that’s when Zane decided to come home, but unfortunately, he missed seeing you," Willow appraises Sophia from head to toe.

Sophia is stunned.

That day she came to pick up clothes, was it his first time coming home in so many years?

So, it was because of her?

Oh my, did she cause trouble?

He really became the target for everyone.

With some guilt, Sophia remembers how Zane must have seen the messages between her and Grandpa Sterling in the elevator that day, otherwise why would he suddenly return?

"It was too rushed that day. I was already here but something came up, so I didn’t attend."

Willow glances at the two men chatting away and pulls Sophia aside.

"Zane has such a bad temper, he didn’t bully you, did he?"

Sophia chuckles, recalling how he seemed to never bully her but was rather cautious and afraid of making her angry.

Before they were together, he was cold, like a stranger not to be approached.

After they got together, he was restrained, liking her passionately but secretly.

Eventually, he became clingy.

Not as cold as people said he was.

"He doesn’t dare bully me; he’s pretty obedient."

Willow laughs, "It’s the first time I’ve heard someone describe him like that."

They chatted on and off for a few more minutes.

Then Willow suggested they go upstairs to check if the room is suitable, put their luggage down, and rest a bit since they are having a barbecue outside tonight.

Sophia glanced at the large lawn of tens of acres outside the castle, remembering what Zane said in the car just now.

He was very satisfied with her, otherwise, he wouldn’t be thinking about her all the time.

Her face silently turned red.

She didn’t notice that Zane had already dragged the suitcase and walked up to her.

"What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing much."

"Nothing much? Your face is red, what are you imagining in that head of yours? Hmm?"

He laughs softly, reaching out to flick her nose.

"What are you thinking about, Zane?!"

Sophia’s face flushed as she laughed and pouted, punching his chest hard, but it seemed more like she was being coquettish.

Zane smiles.

He likes seeing her angry like this.

Spoiled.

The two maids standing beside them walked over. One picked up the luggage to carry inside, while the other led the way.

"Young Master, Young Mistress, please follow me."

Zane took Sophia’s hand, handing the car keys to a bodyguard standing nearby, and they followed the maid inside.

Their room was on the sixth floor, the suite at the far end near the large balcony.

The suite had already been tidied up in advance; it had a minimalist design with a living room and a bedroom, plus a small balcony.

Upon entering, the maid took slippers from the shoe cabinet and placed them at their feet.

Sophia was still a bit unused to the arrangements, but Zane, the young master, was quite adept with the routine.

Zane laughs, holding her slender waist, telling her not to be so nervous.

After placing the shoes, the maid unpacked the clothes from the suitcase and arranged them in the closet, then started lighting incense.

The room had already undergone a thorough cleaning before their arrival, so only some simple arrangements were needed now.

Entering the living room, Zane embraced Sophia from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder.

Sophia struggled a bit, softly rebuking, "There are people..."

Zane was unconcerned, "I don’t care."

How could this man act like a child?

Wasn’t he supposed to be the aloof president archetype?

Wasn’t he known as the aloof and restrained handsome guy?

Sophia wasn’t that thick-skinned.

She wanted to push Zane away but ended up being turned around and wrapped in his arms.

The maid in the room had finished tidying up and perceptively headed out, quietly closing the door behind her.

Zane hugged her for a long time.

Just hugging tightly, feeling her heartbeat, her softness, her scent.

Reluctant to let go.

Sophia seemed to sense something unusual.

"What’s wrong with you?"

On hearing this, Zane hugged her even tighter.

If it weren’t for her, Zane might still be in the office finding work to do.

Grandpa Sterling’s birthday celebration, Zane hadn’t planned on attending, yet in the elevator, he saw her messages with Grandpa Sterling.

——Your boyfriend would surely like it.

He followed along.

Unexpectedly, upon meeting, Grandpa Sterling called her granddaughter-in-law.

All his cold temperament had smoothed out around her.

He just couldn’t get angry at her.

"Zane." She called softly.

"Mm."

"What’s wrong?"

She was so nervous she was sweating, feeling a bit suffocated by his embrace.

"Love you," said Zane.

Sophia was momentarily stunned, her heart racing wildly. She didn’t know why he said it right then.

This was the first time he had confessed to her.

Before she could think of how to respond, Zane added, "Thank you."

Sophia murmured in acknowledgment, tightening her small hand.

She sensed there was something on his mind, but she was too embarrassed to ask.

"I’m a bit tired, want to rest a while," Sophia said shyly, fearing he might misunderstand.

"Okay, I’ll listen to you, darling." He was so compliant?

That was unusual.

Last night, having been pushed into the water, her head was in a daze, so when she lay on the bed to rest, she slept for a whole two hours.

When she woke up, it was after five in the afternoon.

Zane was leaning against the headboard, frowning as he looked at the tablet.

His other hand occasionally caressed her cheek.

Which made the earlobe on her side turn red.

She slowly sat up, naturally leaning against his chest.

Zane hurriedly pulled up the blanket to cover her.

She nestled against his chest, glancing at the data on the tablet.

"Didn’t you rest?" she asked, noticing she felt stuffy in the nose.

Even her voice was laden with a thick nasal tone.

"Got a cold?" Zane tilted his head, looking at the little woman up close.

Just woken up, her cheeks were soft and tender, plump enough to pinch water out, with lips so red they were captivating.

"Mm, seems like it." She touched her face, "Hmm..."

She widened her eyes.

A sudden kiss landed on her scorching lips.

The tablet was placed on the bedside table, not steady, and fell to the carpet.

Thud!

The sound was loud, but he ignored it.

"Zane, I have a cold, it would be contagious!"

The man leaned forward, his voice scratching like sandpaper, scraping against her eardrums.

"Contagious is good, no need to avoid, it’s convenient..."

Compared to a cold, he feared the long night more.

A cold is just a cold, no one can stop him...

Sometimes Sophia truly wanted to take apart this man’s head to see just what was inside.

He really seemed like a love-struck fool.

Convenient?

Was he that willing to go all out for a little fun?

Such little ambition...