CHAPTER 91: CHAPTER 91: THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS COINCIDENCE IN THIS WORLD

"So happy?" Zane furrowed his brow.

Sophia took a sip of camel milk.

"Met an old friend, gave a gift."

A day tour of the orthopedic hospital ward, plus ninety-nine days of vacation.

She chuckled to herself.

In a few minutes, chaos erupted in the restroom.

Mrs. Quinn was carried out by the crowd.

Zane followed her gaze.

When has she ever suffered a loss?

"Let’s head back, I’m so tired..." She clutched her stomach, feeling bloated, wanting to lay down on the spot.

"Alright."

The two of them got up together and headed for the elevator.

Zane put his arm around her shoulder and glanced at Clay Gable, who was looking in their direction.

In just a couple of seconds, the two seemed to have exchanged hundreds of sparring words.

"Do you have a grudge against him?" Sophia’s gaze settled on Zane’s tightly furrowed brow.

He tightened the grip of his hand.

Of course there’s a grudge.

He could read lips; he knew everything Clay had said to Sophia at the Mountainview Farmstead that day.

He was truly an excellent spy.

"Keep your distance from him," he said.

"I’ll listen to you."

Without a second thought, Sophia stepped into the elevator with him.

While Clay Gable was handsome, Sophia never thought he was her type.

In the following days, Zane directly moved the meeting location to the villa.

Every day he wore slippers and casual home clothes to hold meetings at home.

The utmost laziness.

Already feeling unwell, seeing those people made Sophia feel even worse.

Fortunately, all the work was completed smoothly by the third day.

That day, they were to attend Zane’s mentor’s seventy-year-old birthday celebration.

After attending this banquet, they would return to Zane’s family home to celebrate the New Year.

During this pre-New Year time, there were particularly many people at this event.

Zane parked the Cullinan in the small parking lot.

The servants of The Spring Garden came out to greet them.

"Mr. Sterling, Miss Lowell."

Standing at the entrance of The Spring Garden, Colby Jennings noticed them getting out of the same car, furrowed his brow for a moment, then quickly regained his composure.

Rumor in the industry had it that Zane was keeping a mistress, which turned out to be her.

It truly was...

He prided himself on never misjudging people, yet even he had such a day.

"Director Jennings?"

Zane unreservedly held Sophia’s hand and walked towards him.

Sophia was momentarily stunned and nodded towards Colby Jennings.

With the rising warmth in her palm, her heart raced with nervousness.

She hadn’t expected this circle to be so small, running into acquaintances.

Colby’s gaze briefly paused on Sophia before settling on Zane.

"Grandfather said to come out and greet an important guest, didn’t expect it to be you."

"Elder Jennings is your grandfather?" Zane furrowed his brow.

Colby affirmed, and Zane’s lips twitched slightly—what a coincidence.

Elder Jennings used to be Zane’s mentor, forming a strong bond; it had been three years since they last met.

Upon hearing of Zane’s visit, Elder Jennings had Colby waiting here early on.

"Sterling, Jennings!"

A voice called from behind—it was Sylvia Coldwell.

Sophia tugged her lips.

The two exchanged a mutual nod and did not acknowledge each other.

With guests arriving in succession, it wasn’t appropriate to linger at the entrance, and after a brief exchange, Colby remained to continue greeting guests.

The three of them entered together.

A maid accompanied Sylvia Coldwell, carrying a variety of her personal items, resembling a walking suitcase.

She hadn’t dared to approach Zane during this time.

Because Ethan Sinclair had sent her a report.

Her heart had healed exceptionally well; barring serious trauma, there was a high probability of no more issues.

As for the previous incident, it remained unspoken and understood by all.

Sylvia felt too embarrassed to show her face again.

Today was Elder Jennings’ birthday celebration; her brother knew Elder Jennings, making her a frequent visitor.

She was well-liked by Elder Jennings.

The banquet hadn’t yet started; Elder Jennings hadn’t come out but a maid came instead.

"Mr. Sterling, Elder Jennings requests your presence in the backyard and to bring your wife."

"Alright."

Nodding to the maid, he took Sophia’s hand and followed along.

Leaving Sylvia standing alone under the pavilion in the chilly breeze.

This time, she wasn’t even invited inside!

She felt somewhat annoyed.

Upon reaching the backyard.

Elder Jennings was playing Go with a stern-looking man in his fifties.

Elder Jennings furrowed his brow, pinching a black jade piece between his index and middle fingers, unable to decide on a move for a long time.

Sophia smiled.

Seeing how focused she was on the game, Zane leaned in towards her.

"You know how to play too?"

"A little." Sophia whispered in a voice only they could hear, suggesting a spot for the next move.

"You’re amazing, honey."

Zane chuckled, his warm breath tracing down from her ear.

A blush crept over her quietly, flushing her earlobes red.

She quietly nudged him, yet he only leaned in closer.

Elder Jennings placed his piece down, "I’m old, I concede!"

"Elder Jennings, you’re really holding back!" The man laughed heartily.

The two players noticed Zane and Sophia standing aside.

"Elder Jennings." Zane greeted.

"Hello, Grandpa Jennings." Sophia followed.

Elder Jennings stood up, walked over, and embraced Zane tightly.

He gave his shoulder a firm pat.

"I thought you’d fallen into a slump and wouldn’t come! Never expected those muscles got more defined! Haven’t been slacking, have you?"

Zane chuckled, "Still as cheeky as ever at your age."

Sophia: "..."

The man beside them stood up, studying the pair before fixing his gaze on Sophia.

"Sophia."

"Professor Carter."

They shook hands politely, without exchanging further conversation.

Elder Jennings paused, "Do you two know each other too?"

Professor Carter nodded slightly, "Former student."

Sophia smiled.

Afterward, Elder Jennings took Zane away, and Sophia started a game of Go with Professor Carter.

"Have you been busy lately? Haven’t seen you at the studio." Professor Carter used creamy white jade pieces.

Sophia confidently handling black pieces, "Busy with getting married."

"Married so soon? I thought I’d introduce someone to you."

"It was unexpected." She showed a rare gentle smile.

Looking at the layout before him, Professor Carter advised earnestly, "There’s no such thing as ’unexpected’ in this world."

Sophia paused in her move.

Indeed, there’s nothing truly unexpected, just long-laid plans.

Nodding in agreement, she smoothly laid down a black piece.

The game remained deadlocked, neither side yielding.

Elder Jennings and Zane stood beside them unnoticed.

Elder Jennings commented, "Your wife seems sharper than you."

Zane watched her.

A ray of sunset streamed through the window, illuminating her profile, with scattered light falling on the Go board.

She reached out with her jade-like hand, tucking back stray strands of hair, enveloped in a whirlpool of warmth.

Zane beamed, nodding approvingly.

"Proves I have a good eye."

Elder Jennings gave him a sideways glance.

Reluctantly, Professor Carter put down his white piece but struggled to articulate a response.

Seeing his predicament, Elder Jennings interjected, "Let it go, you finally have met your match, winning all afternoon and losing this time? Losing to your own student isn’t disgraceful!"

Professor Carter chuckled derisively, "You’re one to talk, who lost all afternoon?"

Smiling, Sophia tidied the board, carefully standing up.

Zane moved alongside her, patting her head, his large hand naturally finding its way to her shoulder, giving a gentle squeeze.

"Tell me, is there anything you can’t do?"

She whispered softly, "Can’t—leave you."