CHAPTER 143: CHAPTER 143: ENCHANTRESS’S WAIST

When Zane Sterling returned, the yard was full of people.

They were all old acquaintances.

Besides Sophia Lowell and Ethan Sinclair, Faye Ellison, Professor Carter, and Beau Morgan had also come.

Sophia sat on the left of Professor Carter, Ethan was on her right, and Beau sat next to Professor Carter.

Seeing Zane Sterling arrive, Beau Morgan’s gaze was drawn to him.

There was an empty spot right next to her, and just as she expected Sterling would sit beside her, Ethan Sinclair stood up, took his chair, and replaced it with a new picnic chair for Sterling, while he himself sat next to Faye Ellison.

Zane Sterling naturally sat beside Sophia Lowell.

He spread his legs naturally, and his legs bumped against Sophia’s, one hand resting on her knee while the other held up his wine glass, taking a small sip.

This small gesture was noticed by everyone present.

Sophia looked at him in astonishment.

Even through two layers of fabric, she could feel his heat on her thigh.

She tried to withdraw her leg but was pinched by him, who then naturally leaned over her to greet Professor Carter.

The motions were smooth like flowing clouds, everything looked completely natural.

As if nothing had happened.

Sophia’s face flushed red from this small gesture.

"I didn’t expect Professor Carter to attend the party today, it’s truly a pleasure." Zane Sterling smiled.

Professor Carter replied indifferently, "Just coming occasionally to join the fun and learn from you young people."

"You’re too kind, Professor." said Zane Sterling.

Then they didn’t say any more.

"Is your studio opening tomorrow?" Professor Carter asked Sophia.

Sophia nodded, "Remember to come and support."

"Of course, it’s reassuring that you and Faye Ellison can handle things independently," said Professor Carter, nodding to both of them.

Beau Morgan froze, sensing something implicit in the conversation.

A sense of urgency filled her heart as she tried to reassure herself.

No way, how could Sophia be Professor Carter’s student?

Zane Sterling’s gaze also fell on Faye Ellison, pondering something.

"Thanks to the teacher’s careful guidance," Sophia remarked.

Professor Carter, in a voice only the two of them could hear, whispered to Sophia about Professor Fumble, and Sophia nodded.

Opposite, Faye Ellison chuckled.

Actually, they had already guessed.

"Not bad." Professor Carter smiled contentedly.

"It’s not often someone earns Professor Carter’s admiration; Mrs. Sterling is truly fortunate." Beau Morgan, eager to verify Sophia’s identity, tentatively asked, "Could Mrs. Sterling be another disciple of Professor Carter?"

Sophia smiled and replied to her, "Precisely."

Professor Carter looked at Sophia with pride, "And she’s my most satisfactory disciple."

Beau Morgan was stunned, and her heart sank completely.

An inner disciple?

Does that mean there’s no hope for her?

It’s ridiculous; she had always thought of Sophia as an amateur designer, not worthy of notice, in terms of capability she believed Sophia to be harmless.

But now, it seemed she was wrong.

Sophia was a student of Professor Carter, an inner disciple, she seemingly was no match for her.

Standing by, Zane Sterling wasn’t overly surprised, he merely confirmed his suspicions.

Ethan Sinclair’s earlier advice on savoring fine wine had already sparked his suspicion, coupled with previous conversations during Elder Jennings’ birthday celebration between Sophia and Professor Carter, vaguely hinting at her identity.

She was indeed quite surprising.

"Is there anything else I don’t know about you?" Zane Sterling quietly inquired.

He pinched Sophia’s leg, and she hurriedly grabbed his hand, now was not the time to move randomly, her leg was her sensitive area, a slight pinch and she wouldn’t be able to hold it.

"Mr. Sterling, isn’t it lacking in fun if I just tell you? You have to discover it for yourself; otherwise, how do you know if you married a human or an enchantress?"

Sophia had tried several times to confide about Professor Fumble to him, but the words were always cut off before she could speak.

Now that he had suddenly asked, she felt it wouldn’t be interesting to just say. Plus, with Beau Morgan there, she couldn’t say, she’d need to wait a bit longer.

"An enchantress, a little enchantress." Zane Sterling chuckled, this woman was becoming more beloved by him.

He glanced at Ethan Sinclair beside him, who withdrew his gaze and raised his wine glass.

Ethan felt guilty.

Ethan knew a lot of things, but never spoke of them.

As the banquet drew to a close, Beau Morgan stopped Sophia Lowell.

Zane Sterling didn’t linger and, instead, headed to the car to wait for her.

"What’s the matter, Manager Morgan?" Sophia.

"I didn’t get the chance to apologize last time, after thinking about it, it’s better to clear up things face-to-face." Beau Morgan looked apologetic.

"It’s alright, it’s all in the past." Sophia replied flatly.

She knew Beau Morgan’s apology wasn’t sincere, she was simply intimidated by Sophia’s connection with Professor Carter.

She feared even more that Sophia truly knew Professor Fumble, which would make all her boastful claims a laughingstock.

In fact, Sophia hoped she’d stop stating she knew Professor Fumble, otherwise, it’d be a slap in the face eventually.

After some bland remarks with Beau Morgan, the two parted ways.

Sophia first headed to the restroom before returning to the car.

Just as she exited the restroom, a drunken man blocked her path.

"Hey sister, come and play with me?" The man smirked as he leered at her.

Sophia frowned, slipped past him to keep her distance.

Unexpectedly, the man grabbed her wrist, trying to yank her back into the restroom.

"Don’t go, little sister, let brother take good care of you!"

Having drunk a bit, her footing was unsteady, the tug almost toppling her.

"You scoundrel! Get lost!" Sophia wrested free of his grip, delivering a slap to his face!

Slap!

"Whoa!" The man clutched his face, glaring at her with bloodshot eyes, "Dare to hit me?! Let’s see how I’ll teach you a lesson tonight!"

With those words, the man grabbed her wrist, trapping her in his arms, dragging her into the restroom.

"Ah!" Sophia’s elbow pressed against his chest, one hand pushing his chin back, forcing his head.

The man released her, raising his hand to retaliate, but didn’t expect a handbag would hit him on the head, causing him to stumble and fall to the ground.

Sophia staggered back, squinted to see Tim Sawyer standing before her!

Tim Sawyer had rescued her!

The man, clutching his head, tried to get up but was kicked in the stomach by Tim Sawyer.

He screamed in pain.

Tim Sawyer finally relaxed.

Sophia, still shaken, leaned against the wall watching Tim Sawyer.

Tim Sawyer glanced at her without acknowledging her, snatched up the handbag, and left.

Sophia followed, "Tim Sawyer."

Tim Sawyer stopped walking but didn’t turn to look at her.

"Thanks." Sophia said.

After hearing that, Tim Sawyer left without saying a word, as if he’d never been there.

"Sophia!"

At this moment, Zane Sterling hurried over.

"Zane." Sophia watched Zane run over, she approached him and hugged him tightly.

"What happened?" Zane asked, noticing her disheveled hair and startled expression, his worry rising.

"Ran into a little thug." Sophia shrank into his arms, calming down, "Why did you come?"

She glanced in Tim Sawyer’s direction but he was already out of sight.

"I saw Beau come out, you hadn’t appeared for a long time, so I came in to find you." Zane Sterling patted her head, took her hand, and led her outside.

Zane Sterling led Sophia away.

Tim Sawyer hid behind a corner, a slight smile on his face.