"I wonder, Miss Cooper," Sophia said with a cool smile, "do you prefer eating from your own bowl — or from soone else’s pot?"
Her words were blunt, almost cutting.
Vivian’s lips curved. "To be honest, both have their own flavor. But people are curious creatures, aren’t they? No one can help glancing at what’s in soone else’s bowl and wondering what’s still simring in the pot."
There it was — confird.
She was here to steal her man.
"Lucas ntioned you saved his life, Miss Cooper. I’m curious — what were the circumstances? Such a coincidence, wasn’t it?"
"Yes," Vivian said lightly. "I was just returning from a business trip and happened to be there when it happened. I only lent a hand — nothing so dramatic as saving a life. But he insisted I did, said he owed , even promised he’d repay sohow. At the ti, I wondered — did he an marriage?"
She gave a dreamy laugh. "I even caught myself thinking he wasn’t half bad."
"So people and so things are destined," Sophia replied smoothly, placing a slice of beef in Vivian’s bowl. "What’s yours will always be yours. What’s not — never will be. You should eat a little at; too many vegetables might leave you weak."
Vivian didn’t touch the food, only kept eating her greens.
When the al was almost over, she finally said, "Lucas, there’s actually another reason I ca to City A."
"Go ahead."
"I want to work with Hilton Group."
He’d never found a proper way to repay her; now that she wanted to collaborate, he naturally agreed. It would settle the debt.
"And there’s one more thing. Lucas, about JL Entertainnt under your na — I’d like to recomnd my sister for a spot there."
"Your sister?"
"Yes, Jenny."
They kept talking. Sophia could barely get a word in.
She poked at the food in her bowl.
JL Entertainnt?
Jenny Cooper...
She morized the na.
"Of course," Lucas said. "Have her co by soti. I’ll give the team a heads-up."
"That’s wonderful. She’s been dreaming of joining the industry, but never had the chance. You helping her — it ans a lot to ."
Every move Vivian made was perfectly poised — graceful, never arrogant, with just the right smile to make her impossible to dislike.
Sophia narrowed her eyes and slowly leaned closer against Lucas.
"Miss Morgan, forgive for asking — do you have rickets? I know an excellent traditional doctor who could help if you’re unwell."
Vivian really was challenging her at every turn.
Sophia smiled sweetly. "How considerate of you, Miss Cooper. No need to worry — I’m perfectly fine. As for rickets... not yet. Though, if you’d like, I can show you just how flexible I can be ~"
Her hand slid onto Lucas’s shoulder — pure territorial claim.
"I was taught," Vivian said smoothly, "that in public, one should maintain proper posture. Miss Morgan, don’t you think all that touching and cuddling might be... inappropriate?"
Sophia’s smile vanished.
Lucas suddenly reached over, wrapped an arm around her waist, and kissed her cheek.
"There’s no way around it, newlyweds are always exceptionally sweet."
The perfect picture of a protective husband.
And his hand never left her waist.
"Vivian," Lucas said calmly, "lunch break’s almost over. Sophia and I need to get back to the office."
"Of course," Vivian replied, still smiling. "Don’t let keep you."
The two of them stood and walked out together.
Suddenly—
"Ah!"
Vivian let out a startled cry!
Lucas’s hand shot forward, quick as lightning—but soone else moved faster.
"Lucas..." Vivian began, ready to thank him—until she looked up and froze. The person holding her steady wasn’t Lucas at all.
It was Sophia.
"Miss Cooper, you really should watch where you’re going," Sophia said with a cool smile. "If you fall again, you may not always have soone nearby to catch you."
Vivian’s expression shifted slightly.
A mont ago, Lucas had been standing right behind her.
How did Sophia get there first?
"Miss Cooper, are your heels too high? I actually have a great way to fix that little problem for you."
Before Vivian could react, Sophia guided her back into the chair—none too gently—then slipped off her shoes, and held them up.
She tapped the heel sharply against the floor.
Crack.
The heel snapped clean off.
"Sophia, you—!"
"No need to thank , Miss Cooper," Sophia said pleasantly. "You saved Lucas’s life; helping you is the least I can do."
Her heels!
Vivian’s face stiffened; fury simred behind her practiced calm. Her voice ca out tight through clenched teeth.
"Miss Morgan, you’re... really too kind."
"Oh, it’s nothing. Just a little favor."
Sophia looped her arm through Lucas’s. "Miss Cooper, Lucas and I should be going. If you run into any more problems, feel free to ask for my help~"
She smiled sweetly and led Lucas away.
Vivian’s jaw tightened. Her teeth almost ground audibly.
She had co here to test Sophia—but she hadn’t expected this woman to fight back so cleanly and so ruthlessly.
...
"Did you venting?" Lucas asked as they walked out.
"How could I be ’venting’? She’s your so-called lifesaver, rember?" Sophia replied coolly. "Besides, didn’t you see that act she put on? Don’t tell you missed it."
Vivian was no ordinary flirt. She wasn’t the simple ’green tea’ type—she was the premium white lotus, polished and strategic.
The kind of woman who tested boundaries under a veil of grace.
"So, are you satisfied now? You still planning to show up at Hilton Group tomorrow?"
"Of course not satisfied," Sophia said, smirking. "If I’m right, she’ll show up again the day after tomorrow."
"The day after? How can you be so sure?" Lucas asked, half amused, half impressed.
"Because I was there today," Sophia explained matter-of-factly. "That’ll make her hesitate tomorrow. But by the day after, she’ll assu I’ve let my guard down. That’s when she’ll try again."
Her logic flowed sharp and precise—but Lucas still looked skeptical.
"You don’t believe ? Fine. Let’s make a bet. She won’t show up tomorrow."
"What’s the wager?"
Sophia arched a brow. "You want a bet and a reward?"
"What I want," he said with a teasing smile, "is the right to do whatever I please with you."
"Fine. But if you lose, I get the sa right."
"Deal."
For Lucas, that was a win either way.
...
The next day, Lucas stayed in his office, waiting.
Vivian never appeared.
anwhile, at Morgan Group, Sophia sat before her computer, a slow, victorious smile curling her lips.
It wasn’t just satisfaction—it was smug, almost wicked delight.
Paul stepped into the office, blinking as he caught that fleeting look before she straightened up and composed herself.
"President Morgan?"
Sophia’s tone turned brisk and professional. "What is it?"
"Hilton Group just reinvested all the funds they’d withdrawn."
"Good. Tomorrow, leak the news. It’ll attract other investors."
"Yes, President Morgan."
Once Paul left, Sophia turned back to her computer.
The smile she’d hidden before returned—brighter, sharper, and just a little bit devilish.
Reviews
All reviews (0)