CHAPTER 57: CHAPTER 57: WELL MATCHED

Really want to escape.

During this time he didn’t come back, she even forgot to knock on the door and completely forgot about his existence.

On the contrary, he acted without any scruples, knowing there was someone at home, and still didn’t change in the bathroom.

Zane Sterling braced both hands on the door, trapping her firmly in front of him.

"You’ve already tasted it all, what’s there to hide? Hmm?"

He reached out and pulled her into his arms, with a devilish grin at the corner of his mouth.

"Oh—"

She placed her hands between them, her head lowered, not daring to look at him.

Even her breathing was in panic at this moment.

His broken, hoarse voice drilled into her eardrums like a spell.

"Do you want to..."

She shook her head.

"There isn’t enough time, I need to change clothes..."

His tone was lingering, hoarse, containing the utmost restraint, "No rush..."

"You’re hurting me, let me go..."

She pushed him with all her might, but couldn’t move him at all.

"I still need to put on makeup, there’s really not enough time..."

Zane Sterling smiled at the corner of his mouth, remaining silent, his gaze falling on the belt on the bed.

"..." Sophia was speechless.

It seemed he wasn’t wearing a belt.

He bowed his head and chuckled, reaching out to stroke her head, no longer teasing her.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t be done for a couple of hours.

"Go take a shower, I’ll wait for you."

He turned around, picked up the white shirt on the bed, and put it on.

Sophia quickly ran to the closet to get her clothes.

When she came out from the bathroom, he was already busy in the study.

On the bed, there was a set of a sleeveless long gown with a turtleneck.

This one is figure-hugging, light blue satin, with golden patterns at the waist, paired with a white fluffy shawl.

Beside it, there was also a new black wool coat.

He was quite considerate.

She closed the closet door and changed into the gown inside.

Putting on the white high heels decorated with diamonds, she looked tall and elegant.

She carefully walked to the study, standing two meters away from him.

"Butler Langley is waiting downstairs."

Zane Sterling had noticed the high heels on the carpet earlier, and he raised his head slowly.

His intense gaze fell on her.

He beckoned with his finger, "Come here."

She hesitated for a moment.

Daring not to get close, yet having no choice but to walk towards him.

"Zane, I’ve done my makeup..."

Her face turned redder, not daring to meet his eyes.

Zane Sterling reached out, taking her hand and pulling her towards him.

Sophia placed her hands on his solid chest, keeping a distance between them.

He gently pinched her soft chin, forcing her to look at him.

"I haven’t contacted you lately, and you’re upset."

"I’m not upset."

"Your acting skills are terrible."

His breath cascaded down on her flushed face.

He lightly pecked her, a hot kiss landing on her lips, without any further action.

Sophia’s little secret was exposed by him, making her cheeks blush redder and redder.

"Next time, whatever it is, don’t keep it in, just tell me directly."

It was evident that Advisor Sinclair played an indispensable role.

"...Okay."

He looked at her gently closed crimson lips, unable to resist kissing again.

Sophia found no escape, his overwhelming masculinity engulfing her senses.

His eyes were intensely dark.

The lipstick she had put on was smeared all over the corner of her mouth.

Until the phone vibrated on the desk.

She shyly picked up that piece of cloth on the floor and fled hurriedly.

Zane Sterling lifted his lips in a light laugh, tore a piece of paper, and wiped his hands.

He answered the phone, rubbing it with his thumb, feeling unsatisfied.

——

The car stopped in front of Brighton Gardens.

Brighton Gardens, centered around Westlake Gardens, is a place for the wealthy to eat and drink, with complete facilities, but not everyone can enter.

Sophia held Zane Sterling’s arm, and this was the first time she had attended such a banquet with him.

"Henry Quinn and Sienna Lawson are here too."

"Oh."

Her tone was indifferent, as if she had heard an irrelevant story.

Zane Sterling wanted to say something else but seeing her uninterested, he said no more.

She took off her black coat and handed it to Bianca White beside her.

Zane Sterling draped the white fluffy shawl over her, then pulled her hair out.

The movements were skillful and natural.

Not far away, Henry Quinn and Sienna Lawson watched them walk inside.

Her stepping in heels matched so well with Zane Sterling.

Just standing together, they already formed a stunning sight.

Henry Quinn clenched his fists but didn’t forget to support Sienna Lawson.

"Look, less than three months, is this the loyalty you talked about? Not much to it."

Sienna Lawson cast a disdainful look at him.

He didn’t argue back, leading her inside with a dejected smile.

——

The waitress in a cheongsam led them to [The Serene Pavilion].

Zane Sterling presented the invitation, and the bodyguards at the door let them in.

Henry Quinn and Sienna Lawson followed closely behind.

"Who is this annoying admirer of yours, seems to have a high status."

"She’s the daughter of my father’s colleague."

Sophia instantly remembered the call she received from ’the old man’ last time.

"What does your father do?"

Zane Sterling glanced at her, pursing his lips.

"He’s a senator."

"Huh?"

Sophia was stunned, stopping in her tracks.

"Why didn’t you say so earlier?"

"You didn’t ask."

"..."

She finally understood why Zane Sterling always said: You really don’t know your husband at all.

Though she was friends with Zoe Walsh, they never dwelled on family backgrounds, caring only about whether they were happy together.

"Apart from your parents and grandfather, do you have other family?"

"I have a sister and a brother-in-law, both are senators."

"..."

She pursed her lips, taking a deep breath.

"Knowing now isn’t too late."

Zane Sterling patted the delicate hand on his wrist, continuing to walk forward with her.

"You and this admirer seem quite a match, how come..."

"Sophia, our family hasn’t fallen to the point where we need women to support us."

"Oh."

Suddenly, she felt tremendous pressure.

"Aren’t you afraid I’m after your good looks or your wealth?"

"Are you?"

He looked at Sophia seriously, his eyes full of affection.

Sophia couldn’t help but press her lips together.

Zane Sterling softly said into Sophia’s ear.

"If you were after my good looks, I wouldn’t be starving for so long without any flesh to enjoy.

If you were after my wealth, counting carefully, a thousand per time, money isn’t an issue, I’m afraid you might die under me."

Sophia shyly lowered her gaze.

What kind of forbidden desire is this?

"Zane!"

"Here comes the admirer." Zane Sterling.

"Zane?" Sophia.

"Call me honey, honey sounds better." Zane Sterling.

Sophia bit her lip, her heart in chaos.

A pretty woman ran towards them.

She was wearing a red dress, red high heels, her black hair in big waves, her delicate face unable to hide the excitement.

Zane Sterling nodded in return, taking an almost imperceptible step back.

He fully displayed the dichotomy of a suited gentleman in public and a beast in private.

"Hello, Aurora." Sophia greeted her.

Aurora Rhodes froze in place; it was a rarity to see a female companion by Zane Sterling’s side.

Two months ago when she saw him, he was still a solitary figure, with female acquaintances few enough to count on one hand.

But she had never seen Sophia before.

"You are..."

She looked not too pleased, yet couldn’t lose her composure.

She felt an intangible intimidation from Sophia, an aura she naturally exuded.

"My name is Sophia Lowell."

Sophia looked at Zane Sterling, interlocking her fingers with his.

Aurora Rhodes understood naturally but was still unwilling to accept.

"You and Zane are..."

"As you see."

Sophia didn’t say it outright but slightly extended their interlocked hands.

Zane Sterling smiled, not responding further.