Chapter 137 A Budget Meal Family?

Chapter 137: Chapter 137: A Budget Meal Family?

Sophie Winslow remembered Adrian Hawthorne mentioning it in passing.

She took out her phone and checked Adrian’s WhatsApp. Two days ago, he had posted a location tag at Sirensfall Bay, seemingly for business.

He probably hadn’t returned to the capital yet. However, it wasn’t appropriate for her to ask him. She didn’t want him to feel obligated to host her out of politeness, which would only add unnecessary trouble.

Putting her phone away, Sophie took out the DSLR camera she had specifically packed for this trip. There were many beautiful and fun places around here, and she planned to take plenty of photos and videos to show Lydia when she got back.

Peter Preston’s call came in shortly after. "I’ve sent the restaurant’s location to your phone. It’s going to be really lively here tonight; I heard there’s even going to be a performance. I came early to get things set up. You just need to get here around seven."

"Alright," Sophie agreed. "I’ll take the tram over."

After hanging up, she changed her clothes and set off with her camera.

Julian Sterling had been nowhere to be seen these past two days. Sophie wasn’t sure about the exact situation within the Sterling family, but she had carefully considered one thing: if Charles Sterling really came out and got entangled with Stella Sutton again, would Mrs. Sterling perhaps loosen her grip on the divorce certificate?

She couldn’t help but harbor a sliver of hope.

Once on the tram, Sophie tentatively called Julian. It would be best to get the certificate back as early as possible.

BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.

The call went through, but Julian didn’t answer.

It was somewhat expected. He had never cared much about her affairs. Sophie rubbed her temples and let it go.

Arriving at the restaurant Peter had booked, Sophie took the elevator straight up to the open-air rooftop dining area. The restaurant was decorated in a highly romantic style. Unable to resist, she took a few photos, picked the best two, and posted them to her Moments.

Just as she posted them and was about to head to her seat, she heard a woman’s sweet voice not far away. "Julian, I reserved a table with the best view. You should like it."

Sophie’s footsteps came to an abrupt halt. She turned to look in that direction.

Two people were stepping off the elevator. They almost brushed right past her, yet neither noticed her. Stella appeared to be in an exceptionally good mood. As she walked, she intentionally leaned close to the man beside her. The two walked side by side, heading into the same restaurant together.

Sophie truly hadn’t expected this. Julian hadn’t returned home for the past two days because he had brought Stella here on vacation.

Was it to avoid Charles, or was it just a private date between them? And what had happened between the two of them that night? How had Julian taken care of his urges?

The answer was self-evident.

Sophie pursed her lips, a self-deprecating scoff escaping her. She could accept Julian being madly in love with Stella, but she couldn’t accept him prioritizing his romance over taking her divorce certificate seriously.

Just as her mind was wandering, a deep voice came from behind her. "Sophie."

She turned her head.

Adrian Hawthorne stood right behind her, having approached from nowhere. His narrow, assessing eyes were fixed on her, and his striking presence drew frequent sideways glances from the women walking past.

"You’re here too? What a coincidence," Sophie said, looking at him in surprise.

Adrian merely curved his lips into a faint smile, his cold and aloof features remaining perfectly composed. "I happened to be meeting with a business partner nearby."

In truth, it wasn’t a coincidence at all. He had seen Sophie’s Moments post, figured out exactly which restaurant she was at, and come all the way from his dinner engagement specifically to see her.

Sophie didn’t overthink it and extended a straightforward invitation. "Would you like to join us for dinner in a bit? Our company is having a team-building trip here. But if you’re busy, it’s totally fine..."

"I’m not busy," Adrian said, stepping forward with his long legs. "I haven’t had dinner yet."

Someone of his status was busy with a myriad of affairs every day, she thought. It made sense that his meals were irregular.

"Then why don’t you head over and take a seat first? I plan to take a few more photos before I go over. Peter is already there, and you two are somewhat familiar with each other," Sophie said, gesturing for him to go ahead.

Adrian showed no intention of heading over alone. "There’s no rush. I’ll keep you company."

Sophie looked at him with a hint of suspicion. Keep her company? Why would he keep her company?

But she quickly figured it out—it would be awkward for him to head over alone. After all, he wasn’t really that close to Peter. Whereas with her, they were at least the child’s legal father and biological mother. A makeshift family?

Sophie almost laughed out loud at the inappropriate thought. Stifling her amusement, she didn’t say anything more and focused on holding up her camera, snapping pictures of the high-altitude night view.

Adrian followed behind her at an unhurried pace, displaying a fair amount of patience. He had a steady and composed temperament; when he said he would keep her company, he genuinely stayed by her side in quiet companionship. Sophie almost forgot that he was even there.

Halfway through, Adrian received an unexpected phone call and stepped a short distance away to take it. Sophie continued walking and taking photos on her own.

That is, until a chorus of gasps rang out from ahead.

Many of the foreign diners in the restaurant were looking in one direction with eyes full of pleasant surprise. Thinking there was some lively performance going on, Sophie wove through the crowd to join the fun.

Upon getting closer, however, she discovered that the restaurant staff was simply delivering a massive bouquet of roses to one of the tables. A handsome man and a beautiful woman were always bound to attract attention.

Stella held the bouquet in her arms, looking at Julian across the table with a radiant smile. "Julian, thank you for coming to celebrate my birthday with me."