Addicted After Marriage: Marrying My Abstinent Boss-Chapter 182: Came to Pick Up My Wife

Faye Ellison and Teacher Hale just happened to bump into Zane Sterling at the entrance as they were leaving.

"Honey."

Zane stood in front of the car, a smile playing at his lips, holding a dessert in his hand.

"..."

When this man calls "honey" in his serious tone, it often means something bad is about to happen.

Sophia shivered.

"Why are you here, Zane?"

"I’m here to pick up my wife." He curled his lips and slowly walked towards Sophia, naturally resting his free hand on her shoulder.

"Mr. Sterling." Faye greeted politely.

Teacher Hale didn’t know Zane, but judging by his demeanor, he was someone of importance, and since he called Sophia "wife," he must be her husband, so she respectfully nodded.

"Mr. Ellison, you’re here during your free time?" Zane asked.

Faye chuckled, but his smile didn’t reach his eyes, "I came to talk some business with Sophia and Hugh and to order a few outfits for my mom."

"Lead Designer Ellison is so famous, why come to my place for clothes?" Zane’s tone was laced with mockery.

"As you know, my company specializes in menswear; I’m not familiar with women’s fashion, so I had to trouble Sophia."

Zane joked: "Lucky I bumped into you today, otherwise people might think you brought your mom here to see your girlfriend. By the way, Mr. Ellison, do you have a girlfriend?"

Sophia froze, slightly raising her head, wondering how he dared say such a thing. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Zane had a look suggesting if a dollar could make him disappear, he’d gladly pay it.

Faye glanced at Sophia, smirked, "You’re joking, Mr. Sterling. I’m not planning to find a girlfriend; there’s already someone I like."

Sophia paused, his expression was really hard to read, she smiled lightly: "We planned to introduce you to someone, didn’t know you already had someone you like, seems we were overthinking it."

"..." Faye clicked his tongue, speechless.

Zane’s grin went sky-high.

He didn’t like Faye, too dangerous a person.

"Alright, honey, your foot’s still not healed, standing too long’ll hurt, let’s go sit down, or you’ll be complaining tonight."

Complaining tonight?

She wasn’t in pain!

Hadn’t been for a while.

"Teacher Hale, Faye, I won’t be seeing you off. Be safe on the way home." Sophia said.

"Okay." Faye chuckled lightly.

Zane didn’t spare a glance, turned around, and walked inside holding his woman.

"Faye, you already like someone? Does mom know? When’re you bringing her over..." Teacher Hale questioned Faye.

"Mom, there’s no result yet, don’t ask so much. When the time’s right, I’ll introduce her to you." Faye smiled, guiding her into the car.

"Mr. Sterling, CEO Sterling, can’t you speak less childishly, you’re a CEO, you need to maintain your image when out." Sophia furrowed her brow.

Childish?

Zane realized it too, but couldn’t help himself.

"What image?"

"All you’re is a frivolous face..." she muttered.

Zane chuckled, humming softly: "Who am I supposed to be frivolous for, if not you? What, how are you?"

"..." Sophia had no response.

"Besides, I’m not a peacock, I don’t strut for everyone."

As they walked into the yard, they saw Hugh Irving stepping out, bag slung over his shoulder.

Hugh slowed his pace, observing them with their lovey-dovey demeanor, felt his afternoon tea plans were going unnoticed.

"Mr. Sterling."

"Professor Irving."

They exchanged simple greetings, and Hugh turned his attention to Sophia, wondering: Should she leave?

Only then did Sophia remember something, and turned to Zane: "I can’t join you for dinner today."

Zane looked at the two, understanding.

If he’d called an hour earlier, they’d probably be the ones having dinner now.

He was slightly unwilling.

"Then, how about..." I leave? Hugh mumbled.

"You guys go, don’t stay out too late." Zane patted her petite shoulder, withdrew his hand.

"Got it, Mr. CEO!" Sophia laughed, linked arms with Hugh, and they left the studio.

He looked wistfully at Sophia leaving.

From what just happened, he figured he needed to visit more often.

Rather give 20 men one chance each, than give one man 20 chances.

No, not even one, not a single time!

He glanced at the dessert in his hand, planning to return to the car when Ethan Sinclair called him.

"Didn’t even say a word when you arrived." Ethan washed his hands, dried them, and came over.

"I called you last night, but you didn’t respond, left work aside to come farming."

Seems the field didn’t get tilled.

"Oh, it’s a small matter." Ethan reached for the dessert in Zane’s hand.

Zane pulled back his hand, didn’t give it to him.

"This is for my wife, if you want, go buy it yourself."

"Your wife, whom I helped you pursue, and you won’t share even a bit?"

"I paid for it, if you want some, pay for it." Zane eyed him.

The studio matters Zane had arranged for someone to clean and organize, only for Ethan to chase them away, saying he’d handle it personally.

*

When Sophia and Hugh arrived at the cafe, they coincidentally saw Tim Sawyer and Leon Lynn sitting together.

Sophia had some impression of Leon, he was the new Design Department manager right after she resigned.

She didn’t plan to greet them but sat quietly in a corner with Hugh, scanning to order, got two coffees and two small cakes.

"Did you guys fall out later?" Hugh couldn’t help glancing at Tim not far away.

"No, she seems composed, but too calm, it’s kind of scary."

For the first time, Sophia found a woman could be that terrifying.

Last time in the restroom, Tim suddenly helped, then quietly left, and sometimes at parties, he’d nod slightly, so Sophia thought he wasn’t moving on, rather sinking deeper.

"You should be careful, then. She’s got nothing left, just this half-life, nothing’s surprising anymore."

Hugh was right.

But, now she doesn’t have anything to fight for anymore.

Zane belongs to Sophia now, and Nancy Sawyer, she doesn’t even care for that father.

If there’s anything left, it’s only revenge.

Would Tim be that person?

Sophia took a sip of coffee brought by the server, chatting aimlessly with Hugh.

When Hugh got up to use the restroom, Tim and Leon had unknowingly finished their conversation, and Tim walked over.

"Long time no see." Tim sat across from her.

Sophia smiled, but there was no warmth in her eyes.

Why did she come over?

Were they close?

"Yes, it’s been a while." Sophia replied lightly.

"Congratulations, Professor Fumble."

Tim only found out on the night of Zane’s company’s public listing from forum posts with Sophia’s name mentioned, that her sentence "everyone knows Professor Fumble well" wasn’t just casual talk.

But never expected Sophia was Professor Fumble.

Fortunately, she’s not as foolish as Beau Morgan.

It was then Tim’s impression of Sophia drastically changed.

Sophia hid well, indeed smart enough, knowing if she didn’t hide it, she’d be exposed as soon as she returned, likely being schemed against by domestic designers.

Now it’s good, they’re part of the government project, who’d dare oppose them?

Sophia didn’t know if her congratulations were genuine, but she echoed back.

"Thank you."