hapter 32
Chapter 32
Kieran’s words were particularly cutting. They attracted a lot of attention. People were glancing sideways at us, but he wasn’t bothered in the least and continued to pester Sophia.
“Pretty lady, with how gorgeous you are, it shouldn’t be hard for you to find company. Why would you settle on a simp, of all people?
“That said, you really should’ve chosen a loyal one, even if you are going for a simp. This punk here was simping for Layton Group’s Deputy CEO before you.
“The moment he noticed how uninterested she was, he found himself another target–that’s you, honey. Don’t be fooled!”
I sneered and asked sarcastically, “The Zane family is facing bankruptcy, and yet you’re still in the mood to spew nonsense here? Kieran, I didn’t take you for a careless, thoughtless type.”
That was all it took to make Kieran’s expression turn sour and drain the color from his face.
Flustered, he pointed at me and shouted, “What did you say, punk? You are nothing but a lapdog to the Layton family. You don’t have the right to be talking to me on the same level!”
Sophia got up, raised her hand, and mercilessly slapped Kieran. A searing pain shot through
the side of his cheek.
He was so humiliated that he pointed at her and roared, “You shameless bitch. I’ll fucking kill you!”
Before Kieran could slap Sophia, I was already gripping his hand. As an intense pain overwhelmed him, he broke out in a cold sweat.
“L–Let me go!”
I yanked his hand away and snapped coldly, “Get out!”
“What makes you think you have the right to badmouth him?” Sophia glared at Kieran.
Then, she rose to her feet and said to me, “Let’s go.”
We got into another restaurant and sat in a private room on the second floor, finally having a moment’s peace.
“Don’t let yourself be bothered by people like him. He’s not worthy.”
Sophia changed the topic after offering me some comforting words. “My birthday is next
week. Will you come over and celebrate with me?”
I nodded. “Of course.”
Sophia blinked and stared at me with a smile. “Who are you going to come as, then?”
Chapter
32
I chuckled lightly and said, “Collaborative partner, of course. A partner should be celebrating your birthday, right?”
An unmistakable disappointment flashed in Sophia’s eyes. “Just a partner? Is that all you are?”
I fell silent, not offering a response. I didn’t know what to say.
She smiled gently and pretended to be casual. “I guess you’re right. Collaborative partners. That’s all we are to each other now.‘
“Sophia, I…” I wanted to explain, but she cut me off just when the words were on the tip of my
tongue.
“Better eat. The dishes are about to go cold.”
After the meal, I sent Sophia home. For some reason, she looked partícularly dejected from
behind.
Taking a deep breath, I steeled my resolve. It didn’t matter how hard things would become in the future. I would take on every single hardship to secure a life of bliss and happiness for Sophia and me.
The company would become an important turning point in my life.
Once I was back home, I quickly turned on my laptop and started drawing up a proposal for my new company’s future development. Tiredness didn’t set in until dawn broke over the horizon. It was then that I walked away and went to bed.
The loud banging on the door jolted me awake. Raising my head, I looked at the clock and shockingly realized that it was already 11:00 am.
Crap. I had turned my phone off because I didn’t want Camille to pester me. That was why the alarm hadn’t gone off. I was late for work.
I hurriedly got out of bed and checked the peephole.
Camille was standing outside the door, seething and roaring. “Max, I know you’re in there. Open the door!”
I rubbed my aching head, turned around, and went to the restroom to freshen up. Then, I got changed and slung my bag over my shoulder. Just as I was about to go out, I heard Camille arguing with my neighbor. She sounded just like a shrew from the countryside.
Chapter 33
Chapter 33
