CHAPTER 160: CHAPTER 160: MY HUSBAND IS WAITING FOR ME AT HOME

Halfway through the banquet, Sophia Lowell spotted Owen Ford in the crowd.

Owen Ford had returned from abroad last week, a renowned designer ranked second on international lists, while she was third.

The two had met once overseas.

She came tonight mainly to find him, as he had some experience in military uniform design, and she hoped to seek his advice.

This task was originally meant for Faye Ellison. Owen Ford, a man in his fifties, although experienced, was known for being frivolous and unruly, overly familiar.

Sophia didn’t like this person, but his skills in design were undeniably exceptional.

She chatted briefly with some designers around her, then thought of approaching him.

At that moment, Owen Ford was engaged in a lively conversation with Beau Morgan’s family.

"Mrs. Sterling." Colby Jennings appeared out of nowhere.

"Director Jennings, what brings you here?" Sophia was somewhat surprised.

Recently, Colby Jennings had been frequently visiting Faye’s studio to inspect their work.

Colby Jennings laughed, "I came with Sutton."

Sutton, the chief designer of the military uniform project last year, had just retired this year; otherwise, newcomers like Sophia Lowell and Faye Ellison wouldn’t have had the opportunity to take on the project.

Sutton had been to the studio, but Sophia wasn’t there and they hadn’t met.

After speaking, Colby Jennings turned his attention to Hugh Irving beside her.

"Professor Irving," he greeted.

"Director Jennings," Hugh Irving forced a smile and looked away in another direction.

Currently, she was in a terrible mood and didn’t want to start any conversations.

Colby Jennings sensibly refrained from opening up a topic.

Sophia smiled, and they clinked their glasses.

"The person next to Manager Morgan is Sutton," Colby Jennings introduced.

Sutton had unknowingly appeared beside Beau Morgan.

Sophia nodded; she had seen Sutton in magazines but never in person—meeting her today was indeed fortunate.

"Sutton really likes you," he said.

"Really? Likes me?" Sophia was a bit surprised; she wasn’t acquainted with Sutton.

She had only heard Faye and Professor Carter mention her occasionally.

As they chatted, Mr. Sutton and Owen Ford glanced over.

Even Beau Morgan looked over naturally.

She glanced back, feeling somewhat uncomfortable.

Sutton smiled and said to Drake Morgan, "Sorry, I can’t stay tonight; I have some matters to attend to. How about another time?"

Drake Morgan glanced at Sophia not far off, who was engrossed in conversation with Colby Jennings.

He awkwardly smiled, "Alright."

Owen Ford chimed in, "I won’t disturb you all any longer either."

Beau Morgan’s smile faded a bit.

Sutton and Owen Ford were acquaintances Drake Morgan specifically sought to connect with today, yet just five minutes into the conversation, they were leaving?

He subtly tried to invite them as mentors but was declined tactfully one after another.

Drake Morgan and Beau Morgan looked visibly uncomfortable but were forced to smile amicably.

Beau Morgan had always learned quickly in various arts, yet only in fashion design did she repeatedly face obstacles.

Seeing Sutton and Owen Ford heading toward Sophia and Colby Jennings,

Beau Morgan’s hands clenched tightly; the wine glass in her right hand showed white fingertips, her smile frozen on her face.

What status did Sophia have to attract so many people to engage with her?

Beau Morgan couldn’t believe it—neither could Drake Morgan.

They both felt internally that the attention was for Colby Jennings, not Sophia.

"Ms. Lowell, Professor Irving." Sutton was the first to interrupt Colby Jennings and Sophia’s conversation.

Sophia and Hugh Irving directed their gaze in one direction.

"Sutton! Teacher Ford!" they both greeted in unison.

They all shook hands.

Sutton and Owen Ford had been classmates for over a decade, naturally familiar.

"I’ve visited Ellison’s studio several times but never ran into you. Finally meeting you in person!" Sutton smiled, holding Sophia’s hand affectionately.

So, Sutton’s visits to the studio weren’t just for learning but primarily to meet her?

Sophia was flattered.

"It’s our honor to have Sutton’s on-site guidance,"

"That wasn’t why I came," Sutton smiled kindly.

Beside her, Hugh Irving seemed to catch a different tone, smiling and tugging at Sophia’s dress.

Sophia also sensed the subtlety of the comment.

"I have something else to do. Will you be alright on your own?" Hugh Irving seemed to find an excuse to leave.

Sophia was slightly dazed, not wanting Hugh Irving to leave at this moment.

Rumors had it that Sutton had a 25-year-old son who graduated from Peking University and was recently looking for a wealthy partner, but none met her expectations.

Surely Hugh Irving was acting on something she’d overheard.

"You’re overdoing it!" Sophia said, albeit quietly, suspecting it was an excuse to find Ethan Sinclair and lowered her voice.

Hugh Irving seemed about to say something when Colby Jennings interrupted.

"Professor Irving, I’ll see you off."

Without a thought, Hugh Irving replied, "Alright."

Sophia wanted to say something more but was held back by Sutton.

"Are they a couple? Such a handsome pair," Sutton remarked.

Hearing Sutton say this, Sophia noticed Colby Jennings’ look toward Hugh Irving seemed different.

Was Ethan Sinclair about to be stolen away?

"Ms. Lowell." Sutton called out, breaking Sophia’s train of thought.

"Yes, Mr. Sutton?" Sophia remained unsettled, yet couldn’t decline.

"Introduce you to someone?"

"Alright..." Sophia was reluctantly agreeable.

As soon as Sutton spoke, she led Sophia toward the chapel.

Sure enough, the person Sutton wanted her to meet was her son.

"This is my son, Kyle Grant," Sutton introduced Sophia, then Kyle, "This is Ms. Lowell, the fashion designer I mentioned."

"Hello."

"Hello."

They nodded to each other.

Kyle Grant was refined in demeanor, dressed in casual sportswear, with bangs, a textbook handsome student.

Before Sophia could speak, she noticed Sutton had somehow linked arms with Owen Ford.

Sutton’s husband had passed away a few years back, and Owen Ford had only returned last week. Now that they attended together, it made sense...

She hesitated, forgetting what she was about to say.

"Miss Lowell, share a drink?" Kyle gazed intently at the woman.

Clearly, Kyle was captivated by Sophia, his eyes unable to look away.

Tonight, Sophia wore a light green square-neck long-sleeve dress, an open-back displaying a perfect waistline—what man wouldn’t be charmed?

Sophia was about to refuse when Sutton intervened, "Go ahead, we have other things. You two have a good chat."

With that, Sutton led Owen Ford away.

Initially having a decent impression of Sutton, Sophia now thought her character somewhat lacking. No wonder she was with someone like Owen Ford, a crafty old man.

Indeed, close association changes character.

"Ms. Lowell." Kyle’s voice nudged her attention.

"Mr. Grant, what can I do for you?"

Kyle sensed Sophia’s annoyance but replied with a smile, "No need to be tense, Ms. Lowell. Just want to make friends, nothing more."

Sophia paused, given Sutton’s reputation in the industry, it wasn’t wise to cause a scene.

"Sorry, not tonight. My husband is waiting at home. Making friends can wait for another time."

"Husband? Miss Lowell, you’re married?" Kyle paused abruptly, feeling awkward.

"Mr. Grant, befriending my spouse might require more homework," a familiar voice came from behind Sophia.

Before she could turn, a hot hand clasped around her waist, firmly yet gently embracing her.

Sophia slightly raised her eyes, looking at the man beside her, a natural smile forming at the corners of her mouth.

"Husband!"

"Yes, wife." He smiled, playfully tweaking her nose.