CHAPTER 67: CHAPTER 67: POSSESSIVENESS

Just came out of the bathroom.

Sophia Lowell was pulled to a private restroom by a white figure.

She was pushed against the cold wall, a warm large hand on the back of her head, preventing her from hitting it.

"Ah—"

She placed her hands on his burning chest, attempting to increase the distance between them.

The two were so close that she could smell the faint scent of tobacco and sandalwood on him.

She recognized this scent, and in the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of his charming profile.

"Zane Sterling, what are you doing..."

Her soft breath sounded both like a complaint and a tease.

"You like male models?"

"What nonsense are you talking about? Are you jealous?" She tilted her head, a taste of peach blossoming in her mouth.

She suddenly found it amusing; he got angry just because of this, it was merely a coincidental encounter.

And isn’t he just as bad?

"I’m afraid you’ll ruin my reputation," Zane said with a stern face.

"It’s not what you think, it was an accident."

Hearing her serious explanation, he couldn’t continue questioning; the narrow space felt suffocating.

"Kiss me," Zane demanded.

"..."

"Kiss me, and I’ll believe you." His tone was both angry and pitiful.

"You’re drunk, Zane." Sophia didn’t like seeing him like this.

He had once promised not to force things.

Even at home, he would ask for her opinion.

She pushed hard, but he held her tighter.

She underestimated this man’s possessiveness; just a simple mistake and he was this upset.

Is it her imagination, or does he indeed look like he loves her?

Before she could finish speaking, he kissed her without a word.

She shivered; in this setting, it was truly shameful.

During a break to breathe, she bit his shoulder hard.

"..."

Zane quickly let go, pressing her forehead with one hand, pushing her head back.

Immediately, a row of red teeth marks appeared on his white shirt.

His shoulder was slightly bleeding.

He frowned, his eyes dark and mixed with a hint of crimson.

"I’m sorry..." She was a bit frightened, fearing he would be angry.

At the company, when he got angry, it either ended in injury or disaster.

Although he was always gentle at home, she could read his emotions through his eyes.

Sometimes, she had to gauge the situation carefully.

He said nothing, releasing his grip on her.

Zane looked at his shoulder and chuckled.

He indeed realized he was being overly sensitive.

"Don’t drink too much, let’s go back together later," he said.

Upon hearing his sudden calm, the stone in Sophia’s heart finally settled down.

"Okay." No arguments allowed, she dared not refuse.

She hurriedly tidied her clothes and walked out, pretending to be calm.

——

"Whoa, who were you kissing?"

Hugh Irving pulled Sophia aside and quickly wiped the lipstick from the corner of her mouth.

"Hmm?"

Sophia was startled, quickly turning her back, letting Hugh help with the cleanup.

"I just saw Zane, was it him?"

"Hmm."

"He’s such a man, ha ha—"

"What? You’re complimenting him?"

"Shouldn’t I? Did he see you touch a male model?"

"How do you know?"

Sophia had to admire her; she could even guess this.

"If a man likes you, this possessiveness can be crazy, you have to accept it."

"..."

What kind of logic is that?

But indeed, it’s pretty crazy.

"Alright, let me touch it up for you."

Hugh took out a lipstick from her bag and touched it up for her.

"I gotta warn you, the girl next to him, her intentions aren’t pure, she’s started pretending to be drunk."

"You’ve got a sharp eye."

"In a bar, the most noticeable are the ones who don’t love to dance, one is your husband, and the other is the pitiful-looking girl nearby, hard to ignore."

Sophia looked in that direction.

Sylvia Coldwell was pouring herself a drink.

Beside her, Tim Sawyer and Miles Lockwood were chatting happily.

Zane walked back, but didn’t sit next to Sylvia Coldwell.

Instead, he went to Melora Vance, patted his shoulder, and said a few words.

Melora, understanding the hint, sat next to Sylvia Coldwell.

Immediately, Zane began chatting with other comrades nearby.

Sylvia Coldwell didn’t expect Melora to sit next to her, and suddenly felt awkward.

But she seemed about eight-tenths drunk, so she could only let Melora assist her away.

"Your man is alright."

"Is he?" She hadn’t noticed.

Running out late at night hurt her heart, it was emotionally painful.

Although she couldn’t ignore the sister entrusted by a dying comrade, something always felt off.

"I’m talking about boundaries, you understand boundaries?"

Sophia glanced at him quietly and happened to meet his dark gray eyes.

He slightly tilted his head, as if asking: What’s up?

Sophia quickly retracted her gaze in fright.

Hugh looked nervously at Ethan Sinclair leisurely drinking next to them, and asked Sophia:

"Ethan helped me find a house, said it’s a second-hand property from a relative, really cheap, a 300 square meter flat, only over 2 million, still in the city center.

But when I saw it, it seemed newly renovated; is your friend reliable? Won’t he introduce me to something haunted?"

"Unlikely, Ethan and I are best friends; he’s always reliable."

"What does his family do?"

"They run a farm; I’ve been there several times for reunions."

Hugh breathed a sigh of relief.

Farmers, honest people.

They shouldn’t be deceitful.

Ethan, feeling bored, joined in.

"Chatting about something scandalous? Share it to cheer me up."

"Talking about how much your boss pays you."

Sophia picked up a glass of Peach Blossom Wine and clinked glasses with him.

Ethan’s salary was indeed a mystery.

He did more than just work for the boss.

"That depends on the lady boss’s mood; if she’s in a good mood, I’ll have a feast, if not, I might be eating dirt next month."

Laughter erupted from the booth.

Zane’s gaze remained on her.

Tim also followed his gaze.

And saw Sophia, Hugh, and Ethan huddled together.

She didn’t suspect Sophia; in her mind, Ethan taking Sophia was normal.

After all, rumors about Ethan and Sophia in the design department were growing daily.

Could Zane really have some improper thoughts about Hugh?

Sylvia Coldwell mentioned that the woman being kept... is it Hugh?

These days, she’s been seeing Ethan driving Hugh everywhere; Zane’s attitude towards Hugh seems much better than towards others.

The woman in Zane’s heart must be Hugh!

Tim took a sip of wine, a slight smile on her lips.

They’re just in a kept relationship; it seems she still has a chance.

"Zane, want to go say hi together?"

Together?

Do I look like I want to entertain you?

Zane has quite a few companies, and he can’t manage every detail; who knew she would compete for the fashion company? If he knew it was her, she probably wouldn’t have even made it in.

Going together would surely make people think there’s something between them.

Zane glanced at her, took a sip of his drink, and ignored her.

Tim was ignored, but she didn’t mind; there was plenty of time ahead.

Tim’s father saved Zane’s father’s life, and having grown up together, their relationship goes without saying.

If it weren’t for this life-saving bond between families, she probably would have been blacklisted after breaking up with Zane.

Who would give her a place here?