Chapter 201 Call from Daddy

Chapter 201: Chapter 201: Call from Daddy

Watching the father and daughter look at each other, Sophie Winslow felt an instant, agonizing prickle across her scalp as a sudden chill shot up from the soles of her feet. She desperately suppressed the urge to rush over and slam the door shut. She didn’t dare reveal the slightest hint of panic; she knew better than anyone how difficult and perceptive Julian Sterling was.

Julian looked at the little girl in front of him, something flashing in his deep eyes.

Lydia was the first to speak. Her voice was low and soft. "Hello, sir."

The little girl was very polite. Her small face was completely composed, possessing a calmness beyond her years. Julian stared at Lydia for a long time before slowly meeting Sophie’s eyes behind her.

"Why is Adrian Hawthorne’s daughter with you?"

His calm question betrayed no emotion.

Sophie had already walked over. She took Lydia’s hand and led her inside. "Is there something you need from me?"

She avoided answering directly. It was rather unusual. Since she had moved out, this was Julian’s first time visiting. But then again, if Julian wanted to know her whereabouts and news, it wouldn’t be difficult. It was no surprise he had found her apartment.

"Is it convenient to go inside?" Julian was equally unhurried in answering Sophie’s question.

Sophie pushed down her unease and reluctance. She had practically perfected the act of playing it cool. "You’re already here. Asking now is a bit redundant."

She led Lydia further inside. Lydia turned her head to look at Julian as he stepped through the door with his long legs. She certainly remembered this man. He was the man engaged to Seth Sutton’s sister. She remembered from kindergarten that Seth’s sister had been unfriendly to her mom, but this man had acted as if he hadn’t seen a thing. Then there was the last time at the entertainment city, where he had saved her mom.

Julian looked around the room, his gaze finally landing on the dining table. Piping hot food was already laid out, along with two bowls of rice. His timing was impeccable; it was exactly dinnertime.

Sophie settled Lydia onto a chair before turning back. "Just say what you came to say."

It seemed they could no longer interact calmly and normally; even meeting to talk required a specific reason. Sophie didn’t invite him to sit down and share a casual meal. She only wanted to get rid of him as quickly as possible.

Julian didn’t seem to notice her attitude. He placed the file folder in his hand on the table. "This is the buyout contract for the R&D team and the project. Look it over, and if there are no issues, sign it."

Sophie’s eyes fell on the document. The corners of her lips curled up in a faint smile that carried a hint of mockery.

No wonder this rare guest had shown up. It turned out he was here to resolve Stella Sutton’s affairs. Worried that Stella’s career and project would be delayed, and even more concerned about securing Stella’s freedom, the dignified Mr. Sterling had come to handle it personally. He couldn’t wait a single moment. She couldn’t be blamed for noticing the unusual urgency, because Julian had never been this serious about her in the past. Julian rarely took her matters to heart. The contrast with the present was so stark that the difference was painfully clear. Once she pulled herself out of the deep pool of her past love, she could see through the essence of things like an outsider.

Sophie didn’t show any emotion. She took the file briskly. "Sure. Since Mr. Sterling came to handle this personally, I can cooperate with your deep affection."

Julian was noncommittal about her remark, though his dark, profound eyes swept over her. Sophie didn’t care what he thought or how he looked at her. She sat down and began leafing through the pages. When it came to any contract Julian handed her, she didn’t dare overlook a single word, reviewing it page by page.

Lydia sat on her chair and looked at Julian. "You can sit and wait, sir. Would you like some water?"

Julian listened to her sweet calls of "sir." Lydia was a polite child, but every time she called him that, his brow would involuntarily twitch. He glanced sideways and, seeing how sensible Lydia was, spoke to her in a very formal tone. "Yes, thank you."

Lydia immediately jumped off the chair and ran to the fridge to grab a bottle of water for him.

Sophie couldn’t help but zone out for a moment. She lifted her eyes and took in the scene. As the only person present who knew the truth, she felt incredibly torn. The father and daughter were face-to-face, completely unaware of each other’s identities. She was the only one whose heart was pounding in terror.

Julian lightly held the bottle of water, wanting to say something to Lydia, but she had already sat back in her chair, waiting for Sophie to finish so they could eat.

Sophie reviewed the contract carefully but quickly, only wanting to usher this VIP out the door.

"No major issues. I’ll sign it then." She found a pen in the drawer and quickly signed her name as Julian watched. Sophie capped the pen and asked out of basic politeness, "Do you want to eat with us?"

She specifically asked if he wanted to eat, rather than saying, "Dinner is ready, stay and eat before you go." She was essentially handing Julian the perfect opening to refuse, while not seeming entirely unreasonable.

Julian’s thumb rubbed against the contract. He raised his eyes to look at her and said coldly, "Thank you, then."

Sophie paused and looked at him again. Julian was already walking toward the dining table.

Sophie was speechless. She thought, "Is there something wrong with him?"

She had assumed Julian would be eager to take the contract to Stella and wouldn’t accept her fake politeness. Since the words had already left her mouth, Sophie could only covertly crack her knuckles and reluctantly go fetch another bowl.

During the brief moment she was in the kitchen, Lydia observed him. "Are you two friends?"

Julian leisurely glanced at Sophie’s back in the kitchen. "Think what you want."

Lydia was a bit confused by this answer, but she continued anyway. "But you don’t look like you know each other well."

She had heard this man claim he knew her mom well before, but it didn’t seem like it. Friends wouldn’t be this cold to each other.

Not well acquainted. Julian didn’t react to the little girl’s word choice or opinion. Instead, he asked, "Why are you here?"

He knew Adrian Hawthorne had gone abroad. Coupled with the recent exposure of his and Sophie’s marriage, according to Finn Lockwood, Adrian should have cut all ties with Sophie. Yet, he had let Sophie take care of his daughter alone. That was absolute trust. It was no different from handing his greatest weakness and his back over to Sophie.

"Because we’re family, so we’re together." Lydia thought this man’s question was very strange. Why couldn’t she be at her mom’s place?

At the little girl’s answer, Julian raised his eyes slightly. Lydia, however, felt it was unfair. Why was he the only one asking questions? She immediately turned the tables. "Aren’t you going on a date with your girlfriend today, sir? It’s the weekend."

Julian didn’t deny her words. "Why do you think she’s my girlfriend?"

Lydia tilted her head. "Seth Sutton told me you were going to marry his sister. Besides, I can tell you treat that lady very well—much better than you treat ’friends’."

This "friend" naturally referred to Sophie.

Julian’s eyes flickered, an unknown emotion flashing through them. He ultimately didn’t argue the point. Instead, he studied the exceptionally exquisite and pretty little girl in front of him with surprise. She possessed a quiet, understated intelligence. At such a young age, she was already full of her own opinions and ideas. Even... a bit sharp-tongued? He felt an indescribable fondness for Lydia.

But she was Adrian Hawthorne’s daughter.

This realization caused Julian to narrow his eyes slightly.

When Sophie came out, she quickly observed the unacquainted father and daughter. They seemed to be getting along peacefully, allowing her tense heart to settle back into her chest. At the same time, an indescribable feeling welled up inside her. This was the first time their family of three had eaten together in six years.

Julian looked at Sophie, his tone light. "Mr. Hawthorne must trust you a lot to leave his child in your care."

Sophie managed to regain her composure. "Yes. After all, the child really likes me, so Mr. Hawthorne can’t cut ties with me for the time being."

From the moment her marriage to Julian was exposed, anyone who knew Adrian had confessed his feelings for her would naturally assume he would break things off.

Julian’s gaze locked onto her face. In other words, Adrian liked Sophie, which was why he felt so at ease, using the child to draw them closer. He didn’t even care about Sophie’s relationship with Julian.

Julian said nothing. Sophie stayed silent as well.

The sudden ringing of Lydia’s phone broke the inexplicably tense atmosphere. Julian glanced over. A video call had popped up on the screen.

Caller ID: Daddy.