CHAPTER 71: CHAPTER 71: THE DOG MAN, NOW HE’S THE ONE FEELING WRONGED?

No one knows when the meeting ended.

After the check-up, Sophia followed Dr. Nash downstairs.

Only Zane Sterling was left in the living room, dozing on the sofa.

He rested one hand on the armrest, holding his brow, and let his glasses dangle from the other.

Sophia walked over.

He was sound asleep, breathing steadily, as if unaware that Sophia had come right up to him.

She squatted down between his feet.

Sophia looked up at him, a six-foot-two man, occupying the entire single sofa.

She cautiously removed the glasses from his hand and placed them on the documents nearby.

Then she stood up and picked up a blanket from the other side of the sofa, covering his knees.

This small movement woke him up.

He did not move, but slowly lifted his eyelids to look at her.

"......"

Sophia was afraid of this kind of eye contact, feeling a bit guilty.

His gaze was intense, always able to throw people off balance.

"Do you want to go upstairs and rest?" she asked cautiously.

Zane Sterling lounged lazily on the sofa, reaching out to pull Sophia up, "Come."

Sophia was drawn onto his lap, sitting sideways, cradled cautiously as if she were fragile.

"You’re sick." She was a bit nervous, his coarse hair brushing her neck, tickling.

Fortunately, he didn’t move around; his large hands rested quietly on her legs, and his hands on her waist were gentlemanly. "Just a little cold, I’ll be fine tomorrow."

"I’ll go up with you."

"No need, just like this is fine." He clung to Sophia like a large animal, holding tight and unwilling to let go.

After a long while, he murmured, "Why didn’t you call me?"

He knew that the call was probably from Faye Ellison.

"??"

Why did she sense a hint of grievance from this man’s words?

This guy even dared to feel wronged?

She didn’t call Zane Sterling because if he came over, how would she explain it if the two men met?

In fact, they already met, and the situation was indeed hard to control.

She had thought about going public, but doing so would make many things impossible for her.

Whether it was the foggy fame extension, entering the design circle, or entering his circle.

The tag of favoritism would be welded onto her.

She still wasn’t worthy of Zane Sterling’s status.

"Do you think I’m not presentable?" His voice came from Sophia’s neck hollow, then he lifted his head to look at the woman before him.

Sophia didn’t know how to answer, staring blankly at him.

There were traces of red veins in his eyes, like he hadn’t slept well all night.

"Didn’t you say you were busy these past two days? I didn’t dare disturb you, afraid..." she wanted to make an excuse.

"Afraid of what?"

Afraid he’d get angry, afraid he would think she was inconsiderate.

After all, a CEO’s time shouldn’t be spent on romance with her; it should be spent on C Currency.

However, she heard he was quite free yesterday, buying a house for another woman.

Thinking of this, her heart tightened.

This man was somewhat like Henry Quinn...

Ate from one bowl while eyeing another.

Deserving of a thousand deaths!

"Afraid you’d drop dead suddenly. You haven’t finished outside; I can’t ask you to still have to come back and take care of me." Sophia was a bit angry, but then she suppressed her temper.

She didn’t marry him for love; it wouldn’t trouble him, nor herself.

As long as he treats her well, he can eat all the trash outside.

Just don’t bring it back and disgust her.

Zane Sterling felt there was more to her words, but didn’t ask further, just wanted to hold her and rest.

Sophia did not move, letting him hold her.

But he wasn’t honest, pinning Sophia on the sofa and kissing her.

Sophia underestimated his energy.

With her body still a bit soft from not fully recovering, she did not resist.

She let him do as he pleased.

Knock, knock, knock—

Butler Langley dared not enter; he knocked on the door frame from the hallway.

"Sir, Miss Coldwell is at the door."

"......"

He looked at Sophia, who was muddle-headed from his teasing, eyes slightly bloodshot.

He tore off a tissue, wiping the lingering warmth from his hands.

He cautiously helped her put on her undergarments, buttoning up her pajamas.

Sophia remained silent.

She had seen the home purchase contract in the car yesterday.

Today, Sylvia Coldwell must be here to show off, right?

Seeing Sophia’s odd expression, Zane Sterling pinched her tender chin.

"Want to meet her?" he asked.

"No, I’m tired." Sophia couldn’t be bothered.

He felt a bit let down, nodded slightly, and kissed her lips, "Go back to the room and wait for me."

"......"

She didn’t respond, slowly got up, and walked upstairs.

Zane Sterling swatted her rear as she left, making her shy as she glared at him, quickening her steps.

He chuckled, picking up his glasses from the table and putting them on.

"Let her in."

"Alright."

He lounged lazily on the sofa, the top three buttons of his shirt undone, revealing a flawless collarbone.

The belt hung loosely around his waist, shirt pulled out from the waistband.

Fresh marks from Sophia’s unintentional kisses adorned his collarbone.

No need to guess what he had been up to moments before.

Sylvia Coldwell came in eagerly, wearing a wool coat with a blouse and pencil skirt.

He frowned slightly, instantly annoyed.

Her attire somewhat mimicked Sophia’s style.

Glancing at her boots, he couldn’t help but lift his chin toward the hallway shoe cabinet. "There are disposable slippers at the entrance."

Sylvia Coldwell’s face fell, reluctantly changing her shoes before approaching.

"What’s up?" Zane Sterling didn’t even spare her a glance.

Sylvia Coldwell, ashamed and uncomfortable at his appearance, said, "I came to apologize to the sister-in-law; I accidentally mishandled her luggage last night..."

"Your sister-in-law isn’t that petty."

Her face stiffened; just moments ago, she had been kept outside, unable to enter, already stirring her anger.

In the past, she could come and go as she pleased, though never staying overnight, yet it was the first time she was turned away, left to chill in the wind outside for several minutes.

Now the implication was clear, calling her petty.

"Where’s sister-in-law?"

"She was exhausted last night and is resting upstairs." Zane Sterling was evidently a bit impatient.

"Sterling, I want to ask sister-in-law for help. I’m unfamiliar here, and haven’t furnished my house yet..."

Sylvia Coldwell tried to reconcile, looking weakly at Zane Sterling.

"I’ll have Melora Vance arrange it."

"Melora is rough; only a girl understands a girl." She hurriedly explained, "I also wanted to take this opportunity to treat her to dinner and apologize, Sterling..."

Zane Sterling could sense her ulterior motive.

The few of them had pooled together to buy her a house, a final gesture of assistance.

He didn’t want Sophia to engage with her; her personality was somewhat extreme.

Ever since Zane Sterling and Tim Sawyer began dating, her actions had become unacceptable, certainly no better attitude toward Sophia.

But she kind of had a point.

If she could come to an understanding, it would be fine.

Rather than helping out personally, better let Sophia handle it, seeing Sophia’s stance on the matter.

A win-win situation.

"I’ll ask your sister-in-law later."

"Thank you, Sterling!"

Sylvia Coldwell forced a smile.

Sophia, just you wait!