Chapter 142 Mr. Sterling, Your Girlfriend Will Be Jealous

Chapter 142: Chapter 142: Mr. Sterling, Your Girlfriend Will Be Jealous

Even though she hadn’t taken part in any of it, Sophie Winslow couldn’t help but feel surprised and suspicious at that moment.

Adrian Hawthorne’s question was incredibly direct, piercing right to the core. To an outsider, it would seem as if he knew the true nature of her relationship with Julian Sterling...

However, Adrian showed no sign of anything being amiss. He gave a polite smile and said, "I suppose I’ve ruined Mr. Sterling’s big moment. It looked like Miss Sutton was planning to propose just now. But if Mr. Sterling hasn’t made up his mind yet, consider this me giving you an out."

Sophie looked at Julian. Adrian was telling the truth. If he hadn’t intervened, would Julian have accepted Stella Sutton’s proposal? After all, with so many onlookers present, Julian probably wouldn’t have had the heart to let Stella lose face, even if her proposal had seemed like a half-joking test.

Perhaps sensing the mockery in Sophie’s gaze, Julian met her eyes directly.

"You must be joking, Mr. Hawthorne," Julian said, parting his thin lips slightly. "As long as it’s not a sudden whim on your part, Mr. Hawthorne."

Even though Julian hadn’t said it outright, Sophie could read his underlying meaning. Was he trying to tell Adrian to keep his eyes open?

She no longer needed to be reminded of how heartless and indifferent Julian was toward her, so she simply said to Adrian, "Let’s go."

Adrian nodded.

Sophie had no intention of exchanging further words with Julian, let alone explaining herself or trying to distance herself from Adrian. Peter Preston and the others were still waiting over at the parking lot.

The weather here was damp. As Sophie descended the steps, her foot slipped, and her body swayed violently.

"Be careful," two voices rang out in near unison.

Sophie’s arm was steadily caught by a large, warm hand. Turning her head, she saw Julian frowning slightly as he looked into her eyes, his expression unreadable. "Careful, it’s slippery."

Adrian’s outstretched hand had already brushed against Sophie’s cuff, but he hadn’t expected Julian to be faster. For a moment, the atmosphere froze.

Just then, Stella’s voice called out from behind them, "Julian?"

Sophie turned back as well. Stella had approached without them noticing. Though a smile still hung on her face, deep displeasure lingered in her eyes. She stared fixedly at Sophie, glaring at her as if she were some shameless seductress trying to steal her boyfriend.

Adrian glanced at Julian’s hand gripping Sophie’s arm. He suddenly spoke up, "Mr. Sterling, you should let go. Your girlfriend seems to be getting jealous."

Sophie pushed Julian away before he could react.

Stella had already stepped forward, naturally hooking her arm through Julian’s. She looked at Adrian with uncertainty and suspicion, but refrained from directly asking what he meant by proposing to a woman like Sophie. "Mr. Hawthorne, we’ll be taking our leave now."

Sophie saw right through Stella’s gesture of claiming territory.

Julian didn’t mind Sophie pushing him away, either. Having absolutely no intention of questioning her about what was going on with Adrian, he gave a brief nod and walked straight away, acting like a perfect stranger. The married couple seemed to part ways just like that.

Sophie and Adrian headed toward their car together. Halfway there, after turning the matter over in her mind, Sophie couldn’t hold back anymore. "Mr. Hawthorne, do you know something?"

Otherwise, why would Adrian suddenly propose? Not only that, but he had done it right in front of Julian, cutting off Stella’s pretentious act and pulling Sophie out of a humiliating predicament. It was almost as if he had helped her win a round. No matter how she looked at it, it seemed like he had intentionally come to her rescue. Did Adrian know that she and Julian were married?

Adrian didn’t break his stride. "Know what?"

Sophie glanced at his candid expression. He genuinely seemed oblivious to what she was asking. She wondered if she was just overthinking things.

Not intending to dwell on the topic, Adrian added, "You don’t need to feel pressured about the proposal. In that moment, I just suddenly thought that since Lydia is registered under my name, taking advantage of the situation wouldn’t be a bad idea. It just seemed more logical."

It sounded as though he had done it purely for Lydia’s sake. Relieved, Sophie let out a soft sigh.

"Thank you, but I will handle this matter myself. It’s not a good time for me to consider these things anyway."

Julian would give her the divorce certificate, and she could arrange Lydia’s household registration on her own. Furthermore, she still hadn’t secured the antique shop. If she really remarried just to give Lydia a complete family, she would never get the shop back.

Adrian cast a sideways glance at her. "Is your ex-husband refusing to let you remarry? Like, is he domineeringly demanding that you stay single for three years?"

The remark sounded like a joke, and Sophie couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Funnily enough, it wasn’t three years, but one. However, that one-year restriction was only because Julian wanted to pacify the Sterling Family so he could eventually marry Stella. It had nothing to do with possessiveness or trying to make things difficult for her.

Adrian wasn’t the type to press for answers. He escorted Sophie back to the hotel where she was staying. Right before he left, he looked at her and said, "Sophie, if you ever want to, I’m available anytime."

With that, he left without waiting for her reply, giving her the space she needed.

Sophie stood there, stunned. She understood exactly what he meant. He was telling her that if she ever regretted her choice, changed her mind, and decided that marrying him was a good option, he would gladly play along at any time. This left her completely astounded.

Peter Preston walked out from behind her, having overheard the exchange. "Mr. Hawthorne is a real man."

Catching the teasing tone in his voice, Sophie quickly explained, "There’s really nothing between us. We only stay in touch regarding Lydia’s matters."

Peter looked like he wanted to smack her on the forehead. "Do you really think a man would just casually propose to someone?"

Sophie tilted her head. "Maybe he saw how angry I looked when Stella forced me into being the free photographer for her proposal? So he decided to be a Good Samaritan and help me save face?"

"Are you seriously friend-zoning Mr. Hawthorne right now?" Peter was amused by her wild imagination.

Sophie chuckled and shook her head. "Today has been so dramatic anyway. Why should I take it seriously?"

Peter choked on his words for a moment. He wasn’t entirely sure what was going through Adrian’s mind either. But then he shifted the topic.

"Is Stella Sutton really planning to propose to Julian? You two just got your marriage certificate. Isn’t he in a bit of a rush to make things official with her?"