Chapter 10
Sophie Lane’s hand froze in midair, a flicker of panic and irritation flashing in her eyes. She hadn’t expected that even at a time like this, Daniel Reed was still thinking about the deal.
But she quickly masked her emotions, forcing a pitiful expression as she nestled against him. “Daniel, why are you still thinking about work? I’ve already been talking to my parents, but they’ve been busy with the big group event lately–you know, the return of the Whitmore Group’s sole heiress. Our family isn’t part of the core lineage, so right now the entire company is caught up in her matter…”
As she spoke, she studied Daniel’s expression, pressing herself closer. “What’s most important now is us. You’ve gotten so thin lately from all the stress–let me give you a massage, okay?” She reached for his tie.
Daniel’s body went rigid, a weight pressing heavy on his chest.
Looking at Sophie’s forced show of intimacy, he suddenly felt a strange sense of detachment.”
He thought of how Claire Whitmore had never tried to win him over with cheap tricks. Instead, she would hand him a cup of warm milk when he came home late from work, or quietly sit by his side when he was down, never saying more than necessary.
“Sophie,” he said, turning his body slightly to avoid her touch, his voice carrying a faint, almost imperceptible distance, “ask your father again about what’s going on with the deal. As long as we can salvage the project, I’ll make sure to treat you well in the future.”
He’d deliberately stressed your father, wanting to gauge just how close she truly was to the Whitmore family.
Sophie’s, smile almost faltered.
How could she ask? She didn’t know anyone in the Whitmore family at all.”
But seeing the hope in Daniel’s eyes, she forced herself to nod. Daniel was the best match she could ever hope to secure–far better than that low–level employee at the Whitmore Group Subsidiary–and she wasn’t about to let go of him.”
Her fingers wound around his arm again, her voice taking on a coy lilt. “Daniel, stay with me first. You haven’t really looked at me in so long…”[
Daniel shut his eyes, drawing in a deep breath to push down the irritation gnawing at him. He knew this wasn’t the moment to burn bridges; he had to play along for now. “Once the deal is settled, I’ll spend time with you. For now, just help me figure something out, okay?”
His tone carried a calculated warmth, but he didn’t look at her again. Instead, his gaze drifted to an empty corner of the living Toom where one of Claire’s favorite plants used to sit–now only an empty pot remained.
Seeing his distracted state, Sophie’s nails dug into her palm.
Claire Whitmore. Always Claire Whitmore. The woman was gone, yet she still occupied his thoughts.
Biting back her resentment, she only smiled sweeter, snuggling closer. “Alright, but you have to kiss me first–otherwise, how will I have the energy to ask?”
Daniel’s body stiffened even more, but he didn’t push her away.
When his perfunctory kiss landed on Sophie’s forehead, his eyes were already drifting toward the window, his mind filled with the image of the woman he had already lost.
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