Chapter 172 Mrs. Sterling’s Identity Does Not Belong to You

Chapter 172: Chapter 172: Mrs. Sterling’s Identity Does Not Belong to You

Finn Lockwood was worried that Sophie Winslow wouldn’t understand, so he added, "Don’t fight for the title of Mrs. Sterling today. Let’s keep things dignified for everyone."

Sophie pressed her lips tightly together.

He was warning her not to let the truth slip and embarrass Stella Sutton. Today, Stella had to be the center of attention.

Stella knew that Finn was defending her. She covered her mouth with a soft giggle. "Finn, I’m going to look for Julian now. It’s his birthday today, and I bought him a pair of couple’s cufflinks. I’ll go have him put them on first."

"Then everyone will know about your relationship," Finn said immediately.

Sophie had no intention of listening to their chatter. She glanced at the gift box in Stella’s hands and turned to leave. Wearing matching couples’ accessories at an event hosted by the Sterling Family... it seemed the two of them were truly heading toward marriage.

***

When Stella found Julian Sterling, he was adjusting his tie.

She walked over, her heart brimming with joy. "Julian, I had a custom gift made just for you. Square diamond cufflinks. Shall I help you put them on?"

Julian lowered his eyes and noticed the necklace around Stella’s neck. It was the exact same design as the cufflinks in her palm. Her eyes were full of anticipation, sweet and tender.

He motioned for Stella to look at his lapel. "I’m already wearing a brooch."

Stella looked over, her brows furrowed involuntarily. It was the same half-wing sapphire brooch that had clashed with Sophie’s last time. And it seemed Sophie was wearing hers again today...

A flash of displeasure crossed her eyes. Sophie’s little tricks couldn’t be any more obvious!

"That’s all right, just take it off. The cufflinks will look a bit more stylish." Her tone remained casual as she instinctively reached out to help him.

But before she could touch him, a smiling voice came from behind. "Julian, your grandmother wants to have a word with you."

Stella was forced to stop.

Julian looked up and saw his father, Carter Sterling. Stella was somewhat intimidated by Carter. Although he appeared genial, he was Julian’s father after all—and he wasn’t nearly as kindhearted as he looked on the surface.

Carter glanced at Stella, his tone remaining gentle. "Those cufflinks aren’t suitable. Julian doesn’t care for anything too flashy. You should be more careful when choosing a gift next time."

Stella offered an awkward smile. She heard the underlying message perfectly clearly: Carter was forbidding her from having Julian wear matching couple’s cufflinks. Yet the brooch on Julian’s chest was clearly far more ostentatious.

"Understood," Julian replied mildly, acknowledging the Sterling Matriarch’s earlier summons. The father and son didn’t appear particularly close.

Carter gave Julian a deep look, a fleeting emotion flashing through his eyes. Julian gave a slight nod. "We’ll head over now, then."

Stella also felt the pressure of the atmosphere. Even though Carter seemed easygoing, he still made her nervous. Since she wasn’t allowed to put them on him, she had no choice but to put the cufflinks away for now. It wasn’t that Julian was unwilling; it was just that his elders objected.

The two of them walked out of the side hall together.

Sophie had just walked over, and they bumped into each other head-on. Her gaze immediately zeroed in on Julian’s brooch. It was quite rare for them to pick the exact same piece of jewelry for public events twice in a row.

Noticing Sophie’s stare, Stella frowned. She naturally raised her hand and looped her arm through Julian’s. Julian didn’t refuse.

Sophie’s mind was exceptionally clear. Julian was usually very good to Stella, but for him to show absolutely no intention of keeping a distance from her at an occasion like this... It was blatantly obvious that he intended to forcefully tie himself to Stella. For the sake of saving face in public, the Sterling Family would have no choice but to show Stella some respect.

Of course, between his wife of seven years and his lover, the Sterling Family could only publicly acknowledge one. And Julian was forcing them to choose Stella.

Knowing this full well, Sophie couldn’t help but sneer inwardly. Julian was certainly scheming hard for Stella’s sake.

Someone approached from a distance to say hello. Sophie was standing in a rather narrow spot, and the person asked politely, "Excuse me, Miss, could I squeeze past?"

Sophie stepped out of the area entirely.

This action made Finn, who was walking up from behind, burst into unprovoked laughter. Stella looked at him as if they shared a telepathic understanding, feigning ignorance as she asked, "What’s so funny?"

Finn clicked his tongue. "I just think it’s pretty pathetic. Slinking away to make room like that."

Stella didn’t reply, but she knew perfectly well that it was the truth. No one knew Sophie’s identity; they just treated her like an unimportant, invisible nobody. She, on the other hand, was the one everyone envied.

Julian only cast a slow, sideways glance at Sophie’s retreating figure before greeting the person who had approached.

Finn stepped forward. "If she insisted on coming, she has to accept this kind of situation. She probably thought she could take the opportunity to go public with Julian."

A flash of mockery crossed Stella’s eyes. Sophie’s careful calculations were destined to fall through.

Julian didn’t join the conversation. He lowered his head slightly and asked, "Has the formula data patent been registered?"

Hearing his question, Stella’s smile grew even prouder. "It’s all taken care of. Everything went smoothly."

Finn looked over. "Julian brought you here today to formally introduce you to everyone. He wants you to shine through the Longview project. You’ve done such a fantastic job with it, bringing Longview undeniable profits. The Sterling Matriarch and the rest will naturally be pleased, which will lessen the obstacles in your way."

The obstacles standing in the way of her marrying into the Sterling Family.

At this, Stella’s cheeks flushed, her eyes gazing at Julian’s handsome profile with deep emotion. Julian had brought her here today so she could present this flawless report card and make the Sterling Family—and the outside world—look at her in a whole new light. She understood the great pains he was taking for her, which was why she was so moved.

As for the patent that was the core of this incredible news... she raised an eyebrow.

***

Sophie still hadn’t managed to get a moment alone with Julian. She knew very well that he wouldn’t be willing to interact with her in public, and she also felt completely out of place here. Deciding not to care whether he wanted to deal with her or not, she simply sent him a text: Can we talk?

Julian didn’t reply.

Sophie considered giving him a call. Before she could dial, a shadow fell over her, accompanied by the familiar, faint scent of fir.

"Well? What do you want to talk about?"

Sophie looked up in astonishment at Julian, who had walked over to grab a drink. His gaze was lowered, his expression utterly nonchalant.

Sophie’s brain short-circuited for a second. She instinctively looked around and lowered her voice. "Why did you come over...?"

It wasn’t her fault; she just hadn’t expected him to come right up and speak to her face-to-face when they were usually so good at avoiding each other in public. She wasn’t the only one surprised. Several people nearby noticed and exchanged shocked looks. Someone even spotted their matching brooches and let out a gasp. But no one dared to ask questions, turning their eyes toward Stella instead.

From a distance, Stella saw the scene unfold, and her expression darkened instantly.

Sophie frowned, not wanting to drag this out. "I want to leave early. Help me come up with an excuse for your grandmother. I’m sure you don’t want me staying here today and affecting things between you and Stella."

She kept her voice extremely low.

Julian turned to pick up a glass of champagne from the table. "No. Just bear with it a little longer."

Sophie was even more perplexed. "Why do I have to stay here?"

Julian cast her a glance. Her eagerness to leave was practically written all over her face, as if she had no idea that today was even his birthday. Whenever someone came up to wish him a happy birthday, Sophie had just absentmindedly checked her watch. She was truly running out of patience.

"When you signed the agreement, it explicitly stated that you must cooperate on all occasions when the Sterling Family requires you," Julian stated, providing his reason.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Sophie reaching for a pale yellow alcoholic drink. He smoothly reached out, moved it away, and placed a glass of grape juice by her hand instead. Sophie paused and glanced at what he had done. She couldn’t even argue with his logic about the agreement.

Just as she was about to speak, Stella walked up. Under the deliberate scrutiny of many onlookers, she looped her arm through Julian’s. "Julian, the ceremony is about to start. I have to give a speech in a moment. Come with me."

Julian only gave Sophie a brief, indifferent glance before replying, "All right."

The moment they left, the surrounding crowd let out a collective sigh of realization. It seemed they had overthought things. Wearing matching jewelry didn’t mean anything; the one who could openly link arms with him was the true partner.

Sophie frowned.

The auspicious hour had arrived, and the celebration was about to begin. Stella, as the general manager of the Longview project team, was scheduled to report on its major progress and achievements. Sophie watched them from afar.

Peter Preston hurried over from behind. With a serious expression, he whispered into Sophie’s ear, "We can’t let her save face today."

"What do you mean?" Sophie asked.

Peter’s face was cold, filled with a mix of anger and disbelief. "Stella stole your database formula and registered it as her own personal patent. She plagiarized you."

Sophie’s pupils contracted slightly, and her gaze snapped to Stella, who had already taken the stage.

In that instant, an icy chill spread across her face. Without a moment’s hesitation, she began striding toward the stage, step by step.