CHAPTER 33: CHAPTER 33: THIS WOMAN IS INTERESTING

Sophia isn’t the type to easily approve of someone, she’s not emotional.

Henry Quinn’s betrayal back then made her take a month to calm down before she started taking revengeful actions, feeling she was rational enough.

But when it came to the flash marriage, she seemed a bit hasty.

Just because they slept together, after two incidents involving door mishaps, she chose this man without reservation.

Deep inside, she repeatedly questioned herself, what makes a good match?

There wasn’t a suitable answer, but she felt he seemed like one.

"What are you thinking?" Zane Sterling came out of the bathroom, wearing silk loose loungewear, his hair still dripping, a bit of mist on his rimless glasses, his gaze unreadable.

Sophia sat on the bed, hugging a pillow absentmindedly, "Don’t you have anything to ask?"

"Yeah." Zane threw the towel onto a chair nearby, it hung there steadily.

"What?"

"Two million in dowry, isn’t it a bit too little?"

"What?"

By the time she finished reacting, Zane was already sitting beside her, his long arm resting on the headboard behind her, seemingly trying to enclose her.

"I left a card with Mom today, I’m afraid it won’t be enough..."

"Wait..." Sophia interrupted him, "Isn’t there something else you want to ask?"

Could it be this man is unaware or completely unfamiliar with her friends?

His side profile was sharply defined, with a high nose bridge holding the rimless glasses, the lenses reflecting the room’s ambiguous lighting.

His thin, cool lips pressed together, his deep eyes looking at her, "Yes."

Sophia felt his breathing become heavy and chaotic, his strong masculine scent overpowering her fresh shower gel fragrance.

"Are you done?" His eyes fell on her underneath the quilt, his voice magnetic and hoarse, like a beast restraining itself for a long time.

"..."

Suddenly, Sophia’s steady heartbeat turned chaotic, she chose to stay silent, slowly moving her body under the quilt, holding the pillow tightly.

Damn man, focus on your career; don’t let women cloud your judgment!

But later, whenever she surrendered to his muffled sounds, she realized he was probably just that kind of person, focusing on his career while simultaneously involving her.

After they became intimate, he worked in the office during the day and everywhere at home after hours, which was something Sophia hadn’t anticipated.

Everyone said he was the abstinent type. Abstinent? What abstinence exactly?

Nights were hard to endure, especially with a beauty beside you whom you couldn’t have thoughts about.

He was insomniac, for several days.

The next day, Sophia put on the coat Hugh Irving had someone deliver last night, it was custom-made, with a loose waistline, specially designed neckline, and cuff details in contrasting colors.

"Your outfit, it’s the work of a muddle-headed person."

Zane stood tall and poised at the door, his gaze fixed as he looked at her.

Sophia paused, then laughed shakily, "You’re mistaken."

His gaze moved from her clothes to her clear phoenix eyes.

Sophia knew he was trying to gauge whether she was speaking the truth.

He was a great observer, always capturing subtle details when others were off guard.

"I’m not wrong, her latest video features this design." His gaze was sharp and piercing.

"Hugh sent it, I didn’t know, she just told me to wear it." She paused, tugging at the collar as she said, "I’ll ask later, see if there’s any message from the muddle-headed person."

"No need to be too deliberate, your friend, might be put in a difficult position, or we can try other ways ourselves."

"Alright." Sophia felt a sigh of relief in her heart.

Upon stepping out, she saw Bianca White waiting at the door, "Mr. Sterling, Ms. Lowell."

"Hmm." Zane replied.

They went up to the hotel for breakfast together.

It was still early, Ethan Sinclair and Zane were going over some documents while Bianca went to get soy milk.

Wyatt Nash, sitting opposite Sophia, transferred a fried egg from his plate to hers.

"I got too much, you seem to eat very little, take this so you won’t go hungry later at the fashion show." Wyatt said.

Sophia felt a bit embarrassed, sneaking a glance at Zane beside her, who was still engrossed with Ethan.

"I don’t like fried eggs." Sophia wanted to return it, but he used his own chopsticks earlier, and she only had one pair.

"Don’t waste it since you’ve taken it, I love it." Zane unknowingly leaned over, picked up his chopsticks, and ate the egg in one go, then continued with the documents.

After putting down his chopsticks, his hand went under the table, holding Sophia’s hand on her knee, rubbing it gently.

This guy, can’t be restrained even during breakfast, appearing all prim and proper, but who knew he’d be so indecent.

Sophia dared not move, quietly eating her breakfast.

Wyatt smiled awkwardly, "Mr. Sterling is really grounded."

Sophia snorted, maybe not, if you dare go too far, you might be grounded in the afterlife.

"Secretary White, can you send out our location?"

Ethan closed his file and started eating.

"Already sent."

Bianca’s work was impeccable, despite her short height and ordinary looks, she was meticulous and left no loose ends, especially in certain situations.

Their seats were all in the first row, in the middle, with Sophia on the left, then Zane, Ethan, Bianca, and lastly, Wyatt.

Fashion week started at nine in the morning, after breakfast, they arrived at the event check-in by eight.

Many celebrities and small web-famous stars crowded the entrance; major media and online photographers had already started capturing moments.

They took out their invitations and entered the venue.

"Mr. Sterling, can we browse around ourselves?" Sophia asked with sincere eyes.

Zane turned his head, seeing their earnest eyes, nodded.

Upon receiving permission, they dispersed, leaving only Bianca by Zane’s side.

Watching her playful face showing unexpected calm, he withdrew his gaze.

"You can go too." He sent Bianca off, then went to check out the surroundings.

Sophia ambled around, entered the bathroom, and inadvertently walked into a side corridor, passing through it to the back of the venue.

Her figure appeared in Zane’s keen eyes.

He saw her rushing into the back corridor.

Zane followed her from behind,

"Hello sir, please show your work ID." Two security guards at the side of the corridor stopped Zane from far behind Sophia.

"Work ID?" He spoke the local language fluently, retracting his deep gaze from where Sophia had disappeared around the corridor corner.

"No entry without a work ID, sir, guests are limited to the hall and venue." The guard was courteous, not making things difficult.

Zane paused, asked, "What’s this area at the back?"

"The backstage for designers and models."

"My friend is inside, could they come out to fetch me?"

"Sorry sir, without a work ID, no one is allowed inside."

He nodded, thanked them, and left.

The designers’ and models’ area was strictly regulated, work IDs had serial numbers and photo identification, hardly anyone unauthorized could enter.

He took out his phone and called Sophia.

[Where are you?]

[I’m in the restroom, no need to wait for me.]

Zane lifted his eyes, a slight curl at the corner of his mouth, gave a soft acknowledgment, and hung up.

This woman, interesting!