CHAPTER 26: CHAPTER 26: SUCH DEEP SCHEMES

The phone stopped ringing, and Sophia Lowell’s heart was in her throat.

He slowly loosened his grip, and the phone started ringing again. He turned slightly and walked towards the outside.

Sophia exhaled deeply and hurriedly tidied up her disheveled appearance.

"Speak."

Zane Sterling’s tone when answering the phone was unpleasant; he seemed annoyed at being interrupted.

Sophia seized the opportunity to swiftly move away.

All afternoon, Zane felt that Sophia was consciously or unconsciously avoiding him.

But he was busy the entire afternoon, either in meetings or discussing projects with Ethan Sinclair.

It wasn’t until dinner time that he emerged from his study.

Just as she was eating, Ethan sent her a message.

[Hey, Grandma, Mr. Sterling is in a good mood today. Was that bouquet of tulips from you?]

Ethan, the gossip terminator, was surprisingly shipping couples.

[What makes you think so?]

[What have you been doing today? Check your social media!]

What else could she have done today? In the morning, she was thoroughly kissed by him, and in the afternoon, she was avoiding him.

Sophia glanced at Zane eating across from her, then at her phone, quickly opening his social media.

[Pretty good.] With a picture of [tulips]

"..." Sophia picked up a piece of boiled beef, sneaking a glance at him.

But she couldn’t discern anything unusual from his expression; he remained as cold as ever.

[A one-and-a-half-hour video conference, and his eyes weren’t on the screen but on the left side of the computer. Is the tulip on the left?]

Sophia recalled, and indeed it was!

[You should change your career, Detective Sinclair.]

[Grandma, you’re impressive! Looks like the rock that is Mr. Sterling is starting to sprout.]

Sophia chuckled to herself, covering her phone, setting it down, and continued eating.

Yes, spring has arrived...

She often heard her colleagues gossiping in the office. They said he joined the military after graduating from university, and after injuring his leg, he returned. He dated a girlfriend for three years, who eventually left him, and he remained single ever since.

Being single was one thing; they also said he kept away from women, disciplined and abstinent.

"You’ve looked at me thirteen times while eating. Is there something you want to ask?" Zane lifted his eyes, meeting her big eyes.

"Cough, cough..."

His sudden question startled Sophia, making her choke on the slightly spicy boiled beef.

What kind of observational skills does he have? Is he Eric Yates?

And thirteen times! How bored must he be to count repeatedly...

Zane quickly went to the kitchen to pour her a glass of warm water.

She took the glass and drank greedily, while Zane naturally wiped water stains from her lips with a paper towel.

Zane didn’t rush to ask anything but continued eating, watching her intently, seemingly waiting for her response.

Sophia glanced at the paper towel in his hand, then stutteringly said:

"Sorry, I just thought you looked so good, so I looked a bit more."

The maid and Butler Langley, not far away, chuckled, fearing reprimand; they sneaked outside the courtyard to laugh.

Sophia pressed her lips, holding back her laughter.

He is indeed handsome! Among many young men, he’s undoubtedly outstanding.

Delicate features, deep eyes, paired with a buzz cut, and a well-toned body from military training—she couldn’t deny it.

But Zane maintained his usual stoic demeanor, staring blankly at her like a statue.

Then he silently bowed his head to continue eating.

"..." Sophia awkwardly lowered her head to eat as well.

At least say thank you...

Not saying a word, making it quite embarrassing.

——

At precisely ten-thirty, Butler Langley placed the luggage in the trunk, and Zane and Sophia sat in the back seat.

Butler Langley first picked up Ethan, then they headed to the airport.

Upon reaching the airport and getting out of the car, they encountered Wyatt Nash and Bianca White.

"Mr. Sterling!" Wyatt and Bianca greeted in unison.

Zane nodded, and Bianca stepped forward to take Zane’s luggage.

"Director Nash." Sophia greeted him.

They all walked into the airport together.

Ethan and Zane discussed something ahead while Bianca followed, and Sophia and Wyatt were at the back.

"Why are you also with Mr. Sterling in the same car?" Wyatt asked cautiously.

"Carpooling." Sophia smiled.

"Butler Langley takes private jobs too?" he exclaimed in surprise.

Haha—

"Want to join us for a trip to Dreamville? Mr. Sterling gave us a day off to relax, a perfect chance to explore the hometown of fashion." Wyatt warmly invited.

Dreamville is a designer’s paradise, with many fashion exhibitions, a place they all aspire to visit.

Sophia looked at Zane in front and quickly declined, "No thank you, Director Nash, I have other plans."

Having just registered marriage with Zane, if she were to spend time alone with another man, people would gossip.

...

Ethan collected the tickets and distributed them to everyone, finally approaching Sophia.

"Thanks to Mrs. Sterling!" His sly eyes moved closer. "Thanks to you, I can experience first class at least once in my life!"

"?" Sophia took the ticket, feeling puzzled.

"Mr. Sterling upgraded all our economy class tickets to first class to sit with you."

"..." Sophia couldn’t help but glance over at Zane.

He was wearing headphones, on a call, looking poised and composed like a statue.

Everything went smoothly, as Ethan mentioned, and her seat was alongside Zane’s.

The others were seated at the very front.

"Uncomfortable?" Zane asked.

"No." Sophia laughed lightly.

Since she complimented his looks, he hadn’t spoken to her all evening.

"Are you upset?" Sophia couldn’t help but ask.

"No."

"Then why aren’t you talking?"

"I don’t know what to say." Zane looked at her slightly swollen lips and immediately averted his gaze.

Sophia giggled, not noticing his gaze.

"Any places you’d like to visit?" Zane asked.

"I’m fine with anything." Sophia replied.

Does it mean the two of them are going to travel together?

"Isn’t mom in The S Republic? How about visiting her?" Zane seriously watched her expression.

Sophia was stunned, "How did you know my mom’s here?"

"You’re my wife, of course, I know."

Those words "my wife" made her heart flutter, as if on fire, her demeanor like being tipsy, her cheeks flushing bright red.

Sophia touched her burning cheeks, embarrassed, turning to look out the window.

So, he came over in advance for a reason; he truly is shrewd.

"If it’s inconvenient, that’s okay; next time, I’ll come earlier." He could see Sophia’s slight nervousness.

"It’s convenient. Ms. Lowell loves having company; any time is good,"

Hearing Sophia’s response, Zane leaned back in his seat, satisfied, closing his eyes for a rest.

Sophia felt internally chaotic.