Chapter 135 With an Official Status Comes Confidence

Chapter 135: Chapter 135: With an Official Status Comes Confidence

Master Lockwood’s voice was booming, so much so that nearly everyone nearby heard him loud and clear. A wave of shock followed as bewildered gazes turned toward them.

Stella Sutton especially thought she had misheard. The gentle smile froze on her face. "What?"

Sophie Winslow was equally confused. The old master was clearly driving her away. How had Stella offended him? Today was his milestone birthday. No matter what happened, it should have been resolved amicably. To kick someone out in public... It left Stella with absolutely no dignity.

Master Lockwood didn’t care what others thought. "Manager Linton, arrange a car to see this lady out."

Of course, he wouldn’t state the reason aloud. This was the Sterling family’s private matter. If he were to expose the woman before him as a mistress, it would negatively impact the Sterling family’s reputation, their stock market performance, their corporate image, and more. That was exactly why prominent families paid extraordinary attention to their public relations. This wasn’t just a simple affair of ordinary people; it would cause tangible financial damage.

Stella tried her best to steady her emotions, ensuring she didn’t show any signs of panic. She figured the old master was likely angry because he had found out the truth about his savior, but he hadn’t aired it out.

Naturally, she couldn’t interrogate him about it, nor could she act like she cared too much. Stiffening her body, she said, "My apologies, Mr. Lockwood. I do have an urgent matter at home to attend to, so I can’t stay until the end today. Please forgive me."

As soon as she spoke, the tension in the room eased slightly. So it wasn’t an expulsion; Stella just had prior engagements.

Stella smiled at Julian Sterling. "Julian, you stay and celebrate Mr. Lockwood’s birthday properly. Don’t worry about me. You don’t need to see me off."

She made it perfectly clear. It wasn’t that Julian was abandoning her; it was her being sensible and accommodating. Anyone would praise her for acting with the confidence of someone secure in her status.

Julian clearly understood what Stella was trying to do. He nodded. "I’ll have someone escort you."

He had given her an out. He didn’t publicly question the old master for a reason either. Obviously, he was doing it to preserve Stella’s pride.

Although Sophie didn’t know what had transpired, she could deduce that Julian wasn’t blind to the anomaly; he simply chose to keep the peace. How thoughtful of him.

Before leaving, Stella walked past Sophie, shooting her a dark, gloomy glare. If Sophie hadn’t insisted on crashing the party and acting so high-profile, she wouldn’t have been kicked out!

Sophie was completely baffled. Had she offended Stella again?

Master Lockwood didn’t pay Stella any further mind. He leaned over and spoke kindly to Sophie, "Just sit at this table and make yourself at home. Julian, take good care of the young lady." Evidently, the old man was unaware of the relationship between the two and was making a special request.

Only then did Julian look up, his lips curving slightly. "Alright."

Sophie was speechless. Some people seemed accommodating to everyone, but were actually entirely cold-hearted. His words couldn’t be taken seriously.

Master Lockwood couldn’t chat with her forever and was soon called away. Sophie noticed the subtle stares from the surrounding guests. It was as if they thought she had snagged a bargain, watching her on Stella’s behalf to ensure she didn’t "cross the line."

She frowned at Julian. "Just take it off."

She meant the brooch. Even though Stella had picked it out for him, what was the point of wearing it when the woman herself was gone?

Julian poured a cup of floral tea and handed it to her. "The fuss has already been made. Taking it off now would just draw more attention to it."

Sophie was left momentarily speechless. True. Stella had picked it out for him, a fact everyone at the table had just witnessed. Keeping it on was his way of showing deep affection for Stella.

Halfway through the banquet, Finn Lockwood came by. "Where’s Stella?"

Julian replied breezily, "A family emergency."

Finn nodded, glanced at Sophie, and gave a tight smirk.

Sophie found it strange. His look made it seem like she had committed some heinous crime. It was inexplicable.

The birthday banquet was a grand affair. Master Lockwood had been entertaining guests the whole time. After having a few drinks midway, he became slightly tipsy and was helped back to his room. Accommodations at the hotel had already been arranged for the guests who had traveled from afar. Matching room cards were placed on the tables so they could rest comfortably without having to rush back.

Sophie naturally received one as well. Outside, a light drizzle had begun to fall. It would take her over two hours to drive back to the city, which might not be safe.

She decided to stay the night. Taking her room card, she headed up. Just as she reached her door, she saw Julian’s tall, straight figure leaning against the frame. Pale moonlight spilled over him as he tilted his head to watch the threads of falling rain, a hint of melancholy in his deep, boundless eyes.

But the moment he heard her footsteps and looked over, his gaze had turned utterly cold. Her eyes inevitably fell to the brooch on his chest. It was a matching piece to hers. Yet it was picked out by Stella, which made it rather ironic.

Julian had clearly come looking for her. Sophie hesitated for a moment. "You don’t have a room?"

He waved the phone in his hand. "Madam Sterling is on a video call."

Sophie glanced at it, knowing how much Madam Sterling liked to meddle, and swiped her card to open the door. Julian answered the video call as they walked in.

"Where is Sophie?"

"Right here." Julian casually turned the camera toward Sophie.

Sophie’s heart had long grown cold toward the old woman, so she merely maintained a polite facade. "Grandma."

Madam Sterling scanned the room through the screen and smiled in satisfaction. "It’s raining tonight, so don’t bother rushing back. Stay and get some good rest. Treat it as a couples’ getaway. It’ll bring a bit more novelty than being at home."

"Don’t worry," Julian replied patiently.

Aware of his temper, Madam Sterling instructed, "Spend quality time with Sophie tonight. This hotel is most famous for its peach blossom wine. Since you’re already there, enjoy yourselves."

After the call ended, Sophie couldn’t figure it out. Why was Madam Sterling so insistent on her leaving a child for the Sterling family? It wasn’t as if she was the only option. She always felt there was an underlying reason, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

"You can go do your own thing then," Sophie said, turning to Julian, not wanting to dwell on it any longer.

After all, Stella had practically been chased out. Julian had only stayed behind because he had to; otherwise, he would have rushed off to coax her long ago. She was directly giving him an excuse to go find Stella.

Julian finally looked at her leisurely, his dark eyes unreadable. "Do what? Where do you want me to go?"

Sophie was struck speechless, a bit exasperated. Did she really need to spell it out for him? Or did he truly not understand what she meant?

A knock came at the door. Sophie had no choice but to go answer it, only to find a hotel waiter pushing a room service cart inside.

"Ms. Winslow, this is the hotel’s signature dish: pan-seared foie gras paired with kiwi jam. And this bottle is our peach blossom wine, brewed using the hotel’s exclusive recipe."

Sophie glanced at it. "I didn’t order room service."

The waiter smiled and went to light some aromatherapy candles in the room to set the mood. "It was ordered for your room. Please enjoy." He retreated quickly.

Julian adapted to the situation rather quickly. He glanced at the wine, which gave off a fragrant aroma. Picking it up for a sip, he found the taste to be excellent indeed.

"Want a taste?" He looked at Sophie.

Sophie couldn’t figure out his attitude. Was there any way he didn’t know this was Madam Sterling trying to set a romantic mood for them? She wasn’t in the mood to indulge. Turning around, she placed her bag on the bedside table and took the opportunity to chase him out again. "No thanks. Drink it yourself, and leave when you’re done."

Silence was her only answer.

Then came Julian’s slightly hoarse voice: "Sophie—"