Chapter 120
Chapter 120
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Sophia’s fingers twitched at her sides, clenching, loosening, then clenching again. Just as she was about to lift her hand and push Tristam away, he suddenly stopped.
He had only bent down slightly, keeping just the faintest sliver of distance between them, before reaching out, his slender fingers hooking onto the seatbelt and fastening it securely for her.
For a moment. Sophia froze.
So he was just buckling my seatbelt? That was close. This is all my fault. My mind is a mess. No, wait… it is not my fault. It is him. He is always doing things that make me overthink, wondered she
Her hand, still mid–air, stiffened awkwardly. Her lingers, still curled, felt a little numb. Her heartbeat, which had been racing just moments ago, was now pounding for pure embarrassment.
She squeezed her eyes shut for a second and quickly turned her face to the side.
Thank God she had not actually pressed her palm against Tristan’s chest and shoved him away in a panic..
Thank God Tristan had no idea what had just gone through her head. Otherwise, he would never let her live it down.
Tristan after securing the seatbelt, did not immediately move away. His warmth lingered, his crisp, woody cologne still clinging to the air between them.
Then, with a lazy chuckle, he shifted just slightly closer. That low, teasing laugh curled at her ears, brushing against her skin like a feather–light touch.
Sophia’s scalp tingled. Her toes curled inside her shoes.
“Sofi. Tristan drawled, his voice dripping with amusement. “You were not thinking 1 was about to kiss you, were you?”
Her entire body stiffened. Busted. Her head whipped around so fast she nearly gave herself whiplash. She glared at him, feigning innocence, but her fluttering lashes betrayed her.
Tristan’s impossibly handsome face filled her vision, his chiseled features just inches away. His lips quirked into an effortlessly smug smile. I mean, I would not mind,” he murmured, his tone smooth, easy, and just the right amount of provocative. “But I would rather not risk getting chased out of the Roscente Manor by Mr. Roscente’s cane and never getting to see you again”
Sophia shot him another glare, but her gaze faltered for half a second.
Tristan’s lips curled a fraction higher, the tilt of his eyes carrying a dark, playful glint. “And besides…”
His voice was unhurried, low, and dripping with mischief. Then, without warning, he lifted a hand and brushed his fingers. lightly over the faint crease between her brows, smoothing it out.
Before she could react, he even dared to tap her forehead, light, deliberate, maddening. “If you ever do want me to kiss you,” he said, smirking, “close your eyes. Staring at me like that might actually make me shy”
Sophia’s eyes went round, burning with outrage, her entire presence bristling like a furious little cat. She grabbed his wrist, her grip tight with suppressed fury. “Who said I want you to kiss me? Say one more word and I will punch you*
“Shy? Embarrassed? You? Please. You are shameless. You are a menace, she wondered. Grinding her teeth, she shoved at his arm, trying to push him out of the car.
She had been right all along. Tristan was simply incapable of being serious.
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Chapter 120
Tristan let out a deep, velvety chuckle, the sound sending an unwelcome shiver down her spine.
Yet, he let her push him back without resistance, retreating from the passenger seat like a gentleman.
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Then as if nothing had happened, he walked around the car, got into the driver’s seat, buckled up, and started the engine.
The entire transition was so smooth, so nonchalant, that it almost felt like all that teasing had just been in her imagination.
Narrowing her eyes. Sophia stared at him for a lone moment. Something did not add up. Tristan was never this well-
behaved
Two miles down the road, his voice, laced with laughter, finally broke the silence. “Sof.” he mused, his tone deep and maddeningly casual “if you keep looking at me like that. I might just lose control.
Sophia’s brain short–circuited Instantly, she snapped her head forward, eyes fixed on the windshield.
Who was looking at you? Okay maybe I was she wondered.
And maybe ever since she agreed to give this whole engagement thing a try. Tristan had been getting bolder, much, much bolder.
Sophia had no idea that at the very moment when Tristan buckled her seatbelt and returned to the driver’s seat. Edward had already received an alert from the security team
With his came in hand and Waler following closely behind. Edward was storming toward the gates of the Roscente Manor.
Just as they reached the entrance, they caught sight of Tristan’s flashy, outrageously expensive car speeding off, its taillights disappearing down the road
Edward was so furious that he raised his cane and pointed it in the direction of the escaping vehicle, his teeth grinding audibly “Next time! Next time that beat comes back, you pin him to the ground and beat the hell out of him! He actually dared to take advantage of Sophia. Does he have a death wish**
Meanwhile, the Stewart residence was unusually lively.
Felicity, dressed in a lavish gown and adorned with extravagant jewelry, was practically beaming. “Chloe, you really are our pride and joy. You found herself a wonderful husband, one who can actually help the Stewart Family”
Seated at her vanity, Chloe latened to the praise, her delicate face tinged with a soft blush
Her long lashes lowered slightly as she spoke her voice carrying a hint of shyness. “Ethan is such a gentleman. He treats me so well. Even before I returned to the Stewart Family, he was already so kind to me.”
“You two are absolutely perfect for each other,” Felicity declared, placing both hands on Chloe’s shoulders. She admired Chice lovely reflection in the mirror, feeling nothing but pride and satisfaction. Think about it. He fell deeply in love with you even before he knew who you really were. Then, when you came back and it turned out the two of you had been engaged since childhood, it only proved that you and Ethan were meant to be.”
As she spoke, Felicity’s thoughts drifted to the one with that perpetually sullen face and lifeless presence, Sophia
Jest thinking about Sophia makes me laugh Felicity sneered her expression filled with disdain. “She chased after Ethan for three whole years, throwing herself at him.
And yet, the moment he met you, he fell for you instantly. He never even looked at her twice. God always makes sure the right people end up together.”
A flicker of satisfaction crossed Chloe’s downcast eyes, but she quickly concealed it. Then as if weighed down by guilt, she bit
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Chapter 120
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her lip and spoke in a small, hesitant voice. “Honestly, I do feel bad for Sophia. Because of me, she lost everything… and was forced to go back to that kind of life.”
“Silly girl, you are too kind for your own good. We owe her nothing. She is the one who wronged us” Felicity scoffed. “She stole twenty years of your rightful life as a wealthy heiress.
“Meanwhile, you suffered for two decades in that awful place, living the kind of life she was supposed to have. She was never meant to be part of the Stewart Family. And she never will be. We will never acknowledge her.
Chloe turned around and took Felicity’s hands in hers, her makeup–free face making her look even more delicate and pitiful. “But, Mom… Sophia has changed. She is nothing like she used to be.
“And I am just worried that if she ends up doing things she should not, all for the sake of power and money… people in our circle might start laughing at you and Dad,”
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