CHAPTER 50: CHAPTER 50: THE FLOWER I’VE RAISED HAS BLOOMED

He smirked proudly. "Is Mrs. Sterling being sincere, or is this deliberate?"

"Mr. Sterling is so capable; it depends on how you interpret it."

"Sharp-tongued."

"Which one do you hope it is?" Sophia suddenly asked.

"From the heart, Sophia." His answer left her stunned.

From the heart.

It must be said, his perspective was unusually broad.

Sophia was stupefied for quite a while.

He stood up with a bag in one hand, using two fingers to hook her high heels.

His free hand reached out to her.

Without hesitation, she took it.

As they walked through the mall, aside from the fuzzy slippers on their feet, they seemed perfectly matched.

See, even when their hands are full, some people still find a way to make space for you.

From upstairs, Henry Quinn watched, lost in thought.

His eyes were red, and he felt indescribable emotions inside.

As they entered the elevator, Sophia withdrew her hand.

She glanced at the full-length mirror in the elevator, and Zane Sterling was also staring intently at her reflection in the glass.

Sophia looked up to meet his gaze.

Zane tilted his head to meet her eyes.

They smiled knowingly at each other and looked away.

In the underground parking lot, Sophia got into the passenger seat first, while Zane was not far away with his back turned as he made a phone call.

[What’s happening with the Quinn family over there... Check it out... No need... A dying ember? Hmph, give it a push and let it burn brighter... Alright.]

Ending the call, he withdrew his icy gaze.

He returned to the driver’s seat.

"If you’re busy, you don’t have to accompany me," Sophia said.

"No, I’m resting today."

"Oh."

She pressed her lips together, wanting to ask if he was staying over tonight.

But she was too shy to bring it up,

fearing he would think she wanted him to stay, which felt too forward.

Ding—

A message from Faye Ellison.

[Sophia, game tomorrow afternoon at Riverbend Arena.]

She didn’t reply but stole a glance at Zane.

Not knowing if he would stay tonight, if he did, she couldn’t go.

And it wasn’t the first time Faye had invited her, just always met with refusal.

Last night, she bumped into him again.

He was inviting for a game, not making a private dinner apology, so it wasn’t awkward.

"Sorry about last night," Sophia fidgeted with her fingers, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"It’s okay, I was careless," Zane replied.

"Work is important."

"You didn’t say that last night," Zane chuckled.

Last night, her words were filled with reproach.

Reproaching him for disappearing after marriage.

Reproaching having no one to stand up when bullied.

...

It seemed she only spoke the truth when she was drinking.

And Zane could see right through her lies.

Her face blushed from ear to neck.

He had abruptly killed the conversation.

Back at the villa, he busied himself in the kitchen, without letting her lift a finger.

She only needed to place her snacks on the shelf.

"Black pepper or tomato?" Zane’s voice came from the kitchen.

"Black pepper." He liked it slightly spicy, but Sophia wasn’t picky.

She sat on the couch, watching him secretly.

His suit jacket was off, revealing a black vest over a white shirt.

With sleeves rolled up to the forearms, exposing his muscular veins.

A formal suit matched with a black apron, carrying an undeniable sexiness.

Sophia withdrew her gaze, cautiously patting her cheeks, which had unknowingly turned scarlet.

During that wild night, she didn’t even get a good look at him.

Or perhaps, she didn’t remember she slept with her boss.

Now it seemed she got herself a top choice.

It’s just that he was a workaholic, rarely around the house.

Which was fine, as they didn’t interfere with each other’s lives.

If it weren’t for Evan Coleman’s annoyance last night, she might not have felt so aggrieved.

"Come here," Zane said.

"Oh."

She took off her coat, picked an ordinary hairpin from the table, biting it between her lips as she walked to the kitchen.

The hairpin rested on the corner of her mouth, revealing her white teeth and her red lips upturned.

With delicate hands, she gently gathered her hair, leaving a few strands loose by her ears.

Zane gazed at her.

She looked like a woman stepping out of an oil painting.

So beautiful.

The white Floating Light Brocade blouse she wore shimmered in the slightly refracted sunlight.

He just noticed her outfit was made from Floating Light Brocade.

With a traditional neckline and sleeves, and a graceful waistline.

Paired with a high-waisted long leather skirt, her figure was simply flawless.

This was undeniable.

It was apparent that night when he looked at her.

Seeing his gaze drifting, Sophia quickly spoke, "Smells so good."

"Take a seat."

Zane pulled out a chair for her and calmly served the already sliced steak from the kitchen.

On the table, he had prepared two small sauce dishes for her: one with black pepper, one with tomato.

Sophia picked up the fork, pierced a piece of steak, dipped it in tomato sauce, and took a bite without regard for her image.

Her eyes lit up, feeling she hadn’t tasted such fresh and juicy steak in a long time, "Not bad skills."

"Which skills?" Zane slowly chewed a piece, earnestly looking at her.

Which skills?

What else could it be?

What was this man thinking?

He even dared to make a suggestive joke.

She paused, "Steak grilling skills are not bad."

"If you’re willing to learn more, I’m quite good in other areas too." It’s like he was discussing something ordinary.

Now Sophia could confirm, he didn’t lie, that night he definitely crossed the line first.

"..."

"What do you want to eat tonight?"

"If I order, can you make it?"

"Tell me."

"I want eggplant casserole and pickled fish."

Zane left her an out, and Sophia followed by stepping down, at least the conversation was a proper one.

"No problem."

She didn’t expect that the grand president would know how to cook.

How surprising.

"Uh, your house only has one bedroom?" Sophia inquired out of curiosity.

This vast villa, aside from a large suite on the second floor, most rooms had different purposes.

Gym, study, cinema, coffee house, karaoke room, etc.

But no extra guest rooms.

Zane chuckled lightly. "So when you talk about leaving a door open, you mean just the main door?"

"No..." She panicked.

"You don’t want to sleep with me?" he questioned.

"No..." she argued back.

"Want to sleep with me?" he sought an answer.

"Not that either..." her voice lowered.

Their eyes met.

He really wanted to have an intense session with her right there in the kitchen!

God, what kind of questions was he asking.

"I just wanted to ask, if your relatives or friends come over, where would they stay..." She shoved two small pieces of steak into her mouth.

"If your friends come over, we can clear up some rooms upstairs, you arrange it, I’ll listen to you."

Ethan Sinclair once said he liked being alone.

This villa, besides the guards and maids, even Ethan rarely visited.

Sophia wouldn’t dare bring someone in.

"At the beginning of February, I’ll go back to the family estate for a while, so I’ll be busy recently," Zane said.

"So, should I leave the door open for you tonight..." Sophia asked.

Zane slightly raised his eyes to look at her.

Her fingers gripping the knife and fork were slightly white, her eyes showing a hint of shyness, her cheeks flushing.

This blush had been on her face ever since she sat down.

Looking so appealing.

It reminded him of that night when she wrapped her arms around his neck and said she wanted him.

His eyes darkened, he pondered for two seconds, "No need."

Sophia breathed a sigh of relief, her lips curving upward slightly.

Zane noticed her subtle expression, choosing not to expose it.

Impatience would spoil the plan.

The flowers he’s nurturing are starting to bloom.