Chapter 37 She Called Him Husband in Public

Chapter 37: Chapter 37: She Called Him Husband in Public

Sophie Winslow looked up. The moment she saw it was Evan York, her expression instantly turned cold, a trace of disgust surfacing in her eyes.

"Let go."

She stepped back rapidly, recoiling as if she were avoiding the plague.

Evan poked the inside of his cheek with his tongue and let out a sudden laugh. "Sophie, I caught you so you wouldn’t fall. Is this how you show your gratitude?"

He found her far too unappreciative. She had previously called him a eunuch, and now she was burning bridges the second she was safe.

"You were the one who bumped into me. What exactly should I be thanking you for? If you stab me one day and then take me to the hospital, do I need to get down on my knees and bow to you? Do you really think merits cancel out faults?" Sophie straightened the documents in her arms, her tone flat and merciless.

He was one of the knights eagerly charging into battle for Stella Sutton. Why should she give him a pleasant face?

Evan was momentarily speechless. He furrowed his brows. "Sharp-tongued as always. Why are you here?"

Entering Kingsford University required an appointment, and this was an important research building. For Sophie to be here today... Evan slipped a hand into his pocket and looked her up and down. "Did you follow us here again?"

Sophie turned to meet Evan’s mocking gaze, just as a possibility crossed her mind.

Another Bentley pulled up nearby. Julian Sterling stepped out of the car. His gaze swept over indifferently, paused on Sophie’s face, and then smoothly shifted away without a ripple of emotion.

Following him, Stella Sutton also got out of the car. Upon seeing Sophie, the corners of Stella’s lips twitched slightly.

Soon enough, the person in charge from Kingsford University hurried out. He walked respectfully up to Julian and extended a hand. "Mr. Sterling, you even came to drop off Miss Sutton in person! You truly grace our humble lab. Thank you so much for your generous sponsorship."

Sophie suddenly looked over.

Noticing her expression, Evan leaned in slightly and let out a malicious chuckle. "You didn’t know? Julian sponsored the Kingsford School of Pharmacy with fifty million to purchase brand-new, high-precision laboratory equipment. In exchange, Miss Sutton gets to join the Kingsford R&D team and liaise with Helios on the joint research and development project."

Sophie’s temple throbbed. She hadn’t expected this at all.

Since Stella couldn’t get into Helios, Julian had thrown down a massive sum of money to take a roundabout route, placing Stella in the team of Helios’s collaborative partner. This way, it wouldn’t delay Stella’s resume-padding in the slightest.

She had assumed that Helios rejecting Stella would force the woman to quiet down for a while. She had forgotten just how willing Julian was to bleed money for Stella’s sake.

"Jealous?" Evan raised an eyebrow, his tone careless. "Miss Winslow, a loveless marriage where you’re basically a living widow can’t feel good. If you bow out, I might be able to introduce you to a rich bachelor."

Sophie turned back to look at him. "Do you know what you sound like?"

"Let’s hear it."

"A brothel madam forcing an honest woman into prostitution, and then trying to elevate the prostitute to a legitimate wife. Congratulations on finding the perfect career path for yourself."

Evan’s mocking smile vanished. He hadn’t anticipated her mouth being this venomous. He glanced over at Julian and Stella. Was Sophie so deeply provoked that she was taking her anger out on him?

The person in charge at Kingsford University was Professor Rowland, who was leading the team. There were quite a few graduate students in his group. When they saw Stella arrive, many exclaimed in pleasant surprise.

"Stella? You’re the one doing the research with us?"

"Oh my god, you’re our idol! You won so many awards while you were a student here. Our professors always use you as the gold standard when they praise people."

Stella raised an eyebrow, catching sight of Sophie out of the corner of her eye. Her starting line was something Sophie wouldn’t be able to catch up to even with years of hard work.

Someone noticed Julian beside Stella. "This must be your boyfriend, right?"

Julian raised his eyes impassively, offering no denial.

Stella couldn’t help but cover her lips and giggle. She linked arms with the man beside her and winked playfully. "Today is about the project. We’re not talking about private matters."

"Ooh, we understand!" The crowd instantly shared a tacit understanding.

Watching all of this unfold, Sophie could only stand quietly among the researchers from Helios, looking just like one of the many well-wishers blessing the happy couple. And Julian tacitly accepted the crowd’s chorus of blessings.

She lowered her eyes, a flash of mockery passing through them.

To what extent did Julian disregard and belittle her? Even with her standing right there, he didn’t shy away from displaying his affection and indulgence toward Stella. His cheating had become entirely blatant, as if his actual wife were nothing more than a wisp of insignificant air. He clearly didn’t care if she threw a temper tantrum. In fact, he was probably eager for her to make a huge scene, or perhaps he wanted to push her into an early divorce to clear the way.

"Today, let’s just touch base and clarify the division of labor and our main focus. Later, Julian wants to treat everyone to a meal. I hope you’ll all do us the honor of attending." Stella carried herself with elegance. As she spoke, she tilted her head up to look at Julian, her features brimming with sweetness.

The crowd immediately broke into an excited uproar.

"Is your boyfriend worried we won’t take good care of you? Is he treating us just to smooth things over? You’re so lucky, Stella."

"The model boyfriend! I won’t say who’s jealous right now."

"If a wedding is on the horizon, you definitely have to invite us!"

Evan walked over. He shot a sidelong glance at Sophie before tilting his head with a soft laugh. "Even if Mr. Sterling forgets to send out the invitations, I’ll make sure to help hand them out. Don’t worry, everyone."

Stella immediately offered a helpless smile. "Mr. York, please don’t joke around. Let’s focus on business today."

Her prioritization of the bigger picture won her even more admiring looks.

"Mr. Preston isn’t here?" Stella suddenly asked.

Sophie was surrounded by colleagues from Helios who had come to liaise for the project. All of their eyes turned to Sophie; they all knew that she was the one in charge aside from Mr. Preston.

Sophie looked over. "Is there something you need?"

Stella maintained a composed expression. "If Mr. Preston isn’t here, who has the final say?"

For such an important joint project, letting a complete amateur like Sophie tag along would undoubtedly end up with her getting a marginalized co-author credit.

"Is Miss Sutton speaking on behalf of Kingsford University?" Sophie fired back.

Stella chuckled. "I was just asking. There’s no need to put words in my mouth."

"You’re awfully sensitive," Sophie deadpanned.

Stella’s expression froze for a moment. Choked by the retort, a glint of displeasure flashed in her eyes. Why was Sophie so unpresentable? Her words were incredibly abrasive!

The atmosphere instantly grew awkward. Everyone turned to look at Sophie, and they couldn’t help but be stunned for a second. It wasn’t for any other reason than the fact that Sophie was simply far too beautiful. She had gorgeous features and a perfect figure. Her fair skin, entirely free of makeup, was enough to be considered radiantly elegant. Sophie had been keeping such a low profile, hiding within the crowd, that they hadn’t noticed her right away.

"The restaurant is booked. Let’s head over first." Julian’s steady voice pulled everyone’s thoughts back to the present.

Only then did Sophie glance at him. He was obviously terrified that she would continue disrespecting Stella.

Evan clapped his hands. "The cars are ready as well. We can chat while we eat."

Sophie led the people from Helios to their own company vehicles.

Stella frowned, then turned to Professor Rowland. "How is the Helios team arranged? Is everyone here a core member?"

Professor Rowland nodded. "Yes, they’ve all arrived."

A look of displeasure crossed Stella’s face. How on earth did Sophie infiltrate a team with such high prestige? What underhanded methods did she use? Or could it be... she had traded something for the opportunity?

Julian had booked a Chinese restaurant. It was a top-tier establishment in Kingsford that cost three thousand per head. Furthermore, it required a reservation a month in advance; even having money didn’t guarantee entry.

The crowd’s gazes toward Stella grew even more envious and grateful.

"A perfect, utterly devoted boyfriend who is both handsome and rich... the rest of us can only look on in awe."

"That’s Mr. Sterling for you! Miss Winslow, we’re all in for a real treat today thanks to Miss Sutton."

A few girls from the Kingsford University team turned back to make conversation with Sophie as they walked past her.

"Mhm," Sophie replied. "What a massive serving of PDA."

Shoved right down our throats.

Everyone chatted and laughed as they took their seats. Sophie was just about to sit down when someone grabbed her arm.

"Miss Winslow, let’s leave the adjacent seats for Mr. Sterling and Stella. They’re a couple, after all," one of the girls reminded her earnestly, advising Sophie not to act as a third wheel.

Sophie paused.

Stella was already walking over. She cast a glance at Sophie, the corners of her lips curling up as she said, "Thank you."

She immediately sat down in the exact seat Sophie had intended to take.

Julian arrived right on Stella’s heels. Pulled back by the girl, Sophie turned around and found herself directly face-to-face with Julian. Seeing her unconsciously leaning closer, Julian maintained a collected expression as he stepped to the side, avoiding any possibility of coming into contact with her.

Sophie noticed his evasive body language. She found it both ridiculous and ironic. Was he guarding his purity for the woman he loved?

Dragged along, Sophie changed her seat, ending up directly across from Julian and Stella.

Evan witnessed all of this. He observed Sophie’s expression. Surprisingly, she still managed to sit there calmly. He couldn’t quite wrap his head around it. Why was Sophie clinging so shamelessly to a marriage instead of getting a divorce?

Since Julian was the one hosting today, the conversation naturally revolved around his relationship with Stella.

As they chatted, someone suddenly asked, "Miss Winslow, none of us have boyfriends. What about you? Do you have one? Or are you already married?"

The question came out of nowhere.

Sophie paused her tea-drinking. She lifted her eyes, only to find that Julian—who had deliberately avoided looking at her for the entire gathering—now had his gaze fixed squarely on her. His eyes were deep and rich, as if steeped in thick ink.

Was he... warning her not to speak carelessly?

Stella also pursed her lips. She thought the person asking such a question was far too inappropriate. Sophie was nothing but a marginalized figure; what was there to be curious about?

Sophie set down her teacup.

She met the gaze from across the table.

"Husband."