CHAPTER 99: CHAPTER 99: THIS IS MY WIFE

Four people, each with their own thoughts.

Tim Sawyer was instantly numb, his feet felt like they were filled with lead, and he stood frozen on the spot.

Her gaze fell on Zane Sterling’s hand around Sophia Lowell’s waist.

Why her?

When did this happen?

Before the annual meeting? Or during fashion week?

Tim Sawyer’s vision slowly became blurry.

She remembered what Sophia Lowell said to her during the annual meeting.

— Have you ever thought that he might have moved on, or perhaps he likes someone else?

At the time, she always thought Sophia Lowell was just trying to comfort her or persuade her to let go of her obsession.

But it wasn’t that at all, it was simply because she was Zane Sterling’s woman.

Zane Sterling hadn’t been home for years, and when he finally returned, he brought another woman with him.

Was it because of her that he came back?

Sophia Lowell glanced at Nancy Sawyer, and finally, her gaze landed on Tim Sawyer, whose lips had turned pale.

She knew she couldn’t hide it anymore.

Forget it, let things take their course.

"Tim Sawyer." Sophia Lowell.

Zane Sterling, who was beside her, didn’t say anything, but his gaze grew cold, and his hand on her waist tightened slightly.

Tim Sawyer came back to her senses and forced a smile that she couldn’t quite sustain.

"You guys..."

Even though she already saw it clearly, she couldn’t help but seek answers.

She wished this was all just a dream.

"This is my wife." Before Sophia Lowell could respond, Zane Sterling was a step ahead, replying coldly.

Wife?

So they weren’t just boyfriend and girlfriend? They were married?

The ring on his hand, is it a wedding ring?

Tim Sawyer’s mind was in chaos, her feet stumbled slightly, and Nancy Sawyer quickly supported her.

"Sorry, you guys have a chat..." Nancy Sawyer hurriedly took her away.

His gaze swept past Sophia Lowell, his emotions unreadable.

Sophia Lowell raised her eyes slightly, looking at him.

Zane Sterling pinched her cheek, "Let’s go."

He reached out, holding her slightly cold hand, and headed towards a group of people on the distant lawn.

Grandpa Sterling and Eugene Sterling, Leo Sterling were nowhere to be seen, and by the fireplace, there were only Ian Lynch and Willow Sterling.

The two were enthusiastically fiddling with the barbecue and grilled meat on the table.

It was a round table with barbecues and grilling meat integrated on it, and there was also a teapot on the side, brewing flower tea on a rack.

Zane Sterling and Sophia Lowell sat down.

"Just in time, the grilled meat and eggplant are ready." Ian Lynch thoughtfully placed several disposable bowls, serving the grilled meat and eggplant.

The most eggplant was in Sophia Lowell’s portion.

He handed it to Willow Sterling first, then to Sophia Lowell.

Ian Lynch seemed cold, but the way he looked at Willow Sterling was different.

"Thank you, brother-in-law." Sophia Lowell.

Ian Lynch raised his head slightly, giving her a glance, "Sister-in-law, with the surname Lowell?"

Sophia Lowell had just picked up her chopsticks and was ready to eat when she heard his question and answered frankly, "I take my mother’s surname."

He was slightly stunned, glanced at her again, then withdrew his gaze and nodded, asking nothing more.

Zane Sterling noticed his expression, frowning slightly.

"Ian Lynch, the grilled meat is a bit bland," Willow Sterling looked at Ian Lynch.

"Let me taste it." Ian Lynch leaned over, and Willow Sterling adeptly picked up a piece and put it in his mouth.

He started eating, nodding repeatedly, "I’ll add some seasoning, but hold on, I’ll grill it for you again."

Watching their harmonious and comfortable interactions, Zane Sterling couldn’t help but glance at Sophia Lowell.

Sophia Lowell peeked at him secretly, her heart racing, and she continued to bury her head in the barbecue.

Could this man want her to feed him?

Could such a dominant figure also enjoy this lifestyle?

Shouldn’t he be serious, eating, and drinking as he should?

This sticky feeling seemed not to fit this ice-cold guy.

She decided to ignore him.

Zane Sterling lowered his eyes.

Disappointment.

Ian Lynch and Willow Sterling were whispering happily to each other.

While Zane Sterling and Sophia Lowell looked like two people who just managed to get together through matchmaking.

Unfamiliar.

Not knowing what to talk about.

At some point, Willow Sterling called for a maid to take photos of the four of them.

Willow Sterling sat beside Sophia Lowell, with the two men each beside them.

"Hold on." Zane Sterling grabbed a tissue and wiped the oil from Sophia Lowell’s lips.

Sophia Lowell froze for two seconds, her lips burning.

"All done." Zane Sterling crumpled the tissue, resting another hand on her chair.

Click!

This was their second photo together with Zane Sterling.

Willow Sterling sent the photo to the group and casually added Sophia Lowell to the family group.

Sophia Lowell was startled.

The group chat was buzzing.

Zane Sterling, sitting beside her, said nothing. He had planned to take things slowly. He wasn’t active in the group himself, fearing she wouldn’t handle it well.

He didn’t expect Willow Sterling to act so quickly.

Ian Lynch chuckled, cropping Sophia Lowell out and sending it to ’Mother.’

[Mom, look, does she look like Auntie?]

After sending it, he turned sideways, lifted his phone, pretending to play on it, while actually taking photos and videos.

Sophia Lowell was worriedly looking at her phone. In her contact list, there were many new friends, mostly from Zane Sterling’s family.

Including Ian Lynch.

Sophia Lowell carefully noted down each one, afraid of forgetting.

Ian Lynch (Brother-in-law)

Tim Sawyer: [Want to talk?]

This message had just arrived.

Sophia Lowell paused for a moment and looked at the man studying the photo intently beside her.

"I’m going to the restroom," she said.

"Okay." Zane Sterling withdrew his gaze, squeezed her shoulder gently, and then let her go.

Sophia Lowell had just started to leave when Zane Sterling caught her hand.

His eyes were gentle, his thumb caressing the back of her hand. He wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words.

"I’ll wait for you."

"I know."

Sophia Lowell understood the look in his eyes and comfortingly squeezed his slightly coarse hand.

As she left, Zane Sterling’s eyes followed her.

"He’s got his soul taken away. Such little fortitude," Ian Lynch scoffed.

Zane Sterling gave him a stern look, "Didn’t you used to look at my sister the same way? What, not tired of getting beaten yet?"

"This temper of yours hasn’t changed a bit. And who knows why such a delicate girl looks at you like that."

"None of your business." Zane Sterling picked up his wine glass and clinked it with Ian Lynch’s in tacit understanding.

——

Tim Sawyer invited Sophia Lowell to a courtyard on the other side of the castle, a place with classical garden features.

Sophia Lowell hadn’t noticed there was more to the back of the castle.

Before reaching the backyard, she ran into Nancy Sawyer, "Sophia."

Sophia Lowell stopped, looking at the man in front of her.

The facial features indeed resembled hers to some degree, and the aura between the brows was also slightly similar.

"Mr. Sawyer."

Nancy Sawyer swallowed, "Can’t you at least call me Dad?"

She frowned.

Where did this man get the nerve to say that?

"Mr. Sawyer, you must have mistaken me for someone else. I’m not Tim Sawyer."

Nancy Sawyer wasn’t angry; instead, he took a step closer to Sophia Lowell.

She stepped back, her eyes carrying a hint of estrangement.

Autumn Lowell had her reasons for not letting her get close to this man, though the reasons were unknown. They couldn’t be good.

If this man were excellent and responsible enough, Autumn Lowell wouldn’t have obstructed her in every possible way, nor would she have stopped her from finding him.

Sophia Lowell thought it was enough to know she found him. Being aware of his existence was fulfilling her wish.

Having lived over twenty years, it didn’t matter much whether this person existed.

Nancy Sawyer didn’t step forward again but opened his phone, showed her a photo, and handed it to Sophia Lowell.

It was a paternity test.