"Suppose I don't attend the birthday banquet, then I won't have to spend a fortune or take out a loan to buy those expensive clothes and handbags." Sophie's head drooped lower and lower. "Yesterday I wandered around the department store and saw the price tags on those luxury brands—they were outrageously expensive. After aimlessly circling the floors several times, I realized I couldn't afford a single thing." She swallowed hard.
Ned remained expressionless, letting her continue.
"Even if I took out a loan to buy those designer items, I'd still feel heartbroken—absolutely heartbroken—because after wearing them just once, I'd lock them away. I wouldn't dare use or wear them again; I'd be terrified of accidentally staining or damaging them. Deep down, I'd constantly be thinking: these cost me a year's savings, or I'd be paying off the loan for years."
"Is that all your 'supposition' amounts to?" Ned asked, still stone-faced.
"That's it. That's the pride of an ordinary person like me. I finally understand—my kind of ordinary pride isn't worth a dime." Sophie felt utterly wronged, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Ned stayed silent.
"Don't you think I'm ridiculous?" She forced a smile uglier than her crying. "Someone as ordinary as me, trying to climb into high society. Dressed in fancy clothes to attend your birthday banquet."
She was rambling now. "A person's aura can't be changed just by their appearance. Even if I fool myself into thinking it has, a noble family like yours would see through it with one glance—that someone like me is just a clown in designer clothes."
"Why are you suddenly saying all this?" He finally spoke. "You don't strike me as someone lacking confidence."
"It's the truth; it has nothing to do with confidence." She said despondently. "If I don't attend the birthday banquet..."
"I disagree. You already promised me, so you have to follow through. That's the commitment you made." He stated seriously.
Sophie was speechless.
"Just think of it as owing me a favor. I'll handle the outfit and styling for you." Ned lowered his voice with a soft chuckle. "Pay me back with your body—how about that? The more you owe, the longer it'll take to repay. You'll end up stuck by my side for life."
Sophie knew he was joking, but when she tried to laugh, the smile wouldn't come. "Pay you back with my body? Once you're tired of playing, you'll probably realize it wasn't worth it at all."
He lifted her hand to his lips and brushed a soft kiss across her knuckles. "Miss Sophie, are you suddenly so unsure of yourself?"
That finally drew a real laugh from her. "Yes, just for now. My confidence seems to have gone into hiding—it's even fallen asleep."
"So that means you're willing to let me handle everything: picking out the clothes, the accessories, all of it?"
"I am." She turned her face away. "It's not just for me. I don't want you to be laughed at because of me."
"Would you rather choose the gifts yourself?" he asked lightly.
Sophie shook her head. "I know nothing about luxury brands. It doesn't matter what I wear—it'll look the same on me. Your relatives, your friends… the moment they see me, they'll know those designer pieces don't belong on someone like me."
He said nothing, only held her hand a little tighter.
"Isn that true?"
"If we're going to be together, you have to gradually accept my world, just as I accept your values and your personality." His voice dropped, serious now. "I don't like you constantly pointing out how incompatible our lives are. Stop pushing me out of yours."
Sophie knew he was right, but her pride kept gnawing at her. She bit her lower lip and stayed silent.
"Let's both try to walk in step with each other, all right?" Ned rose from his executive chair, his gaze deepening.
"I'll try…" Sophie lifted her eyes to meet his.
Suddenly, Ned cupped her face in his hands and kissed her—hard, warm, and wet. The kiss was molten sweetness that seeped into her bones, soft and inescapable. Sophie couldn't resist his pull…
Even though she knew this was the CEO's office and someone could walk in any second with a report, she melted into it…
Then he took her hand, led her slowly to the sofa, and gently pressed her down onto the cushions. "Don't leave yet. Just sit here for a while. I'll finish up, then take you to dinner."
Her thoughts were still lost in that kiss, and the heat from his palm made Sophie's heart race like a hummingbird. Every wild worry in her mind dissolved, as if the entire office had turned into a dreamy cloud of pink bubbles.
Knock-knock-knock. The door opened, and in walked Jonathan Harrington, Chairman of the Group.
"Ned, that analysis report…?" He caught sight of Sophie sitting on the sofa in a daze and looked momentarily startled. "Uh, why are you sitting there? Waiting to give a report?"
Sophie snapped out of it at the sound of his voice. Seeing the Chairman himself, she shot to her feet. "Chairman, hello!"
"Good, good. I've told you before—no need to call me Chairman. 'Uncle' is much warmer. I don't even work at C&C; no need to be so formal." Jonathan smiled kindly at her. "Sweetheart, step outside for a bit. I need to discuss some business with Ned."
Whenever he saw Sophie, Jonathan Harrington's face would unconsciously soften, tinged with an inexplicable fondness.
"Mhm, okay. I'll head out. Take your time." Sophie closed the door behind her and returned to her desk. In her mind, that kiss replayed on a loop—it had been her first.
Time blurred. Eventually, the CEO's office door opened again, and Chairman Harrington stepped out. Spotting Sophie still staring blankly at her station, he walked over. "Sophie, come with me to the conference room for a moment," he said, feigning sternness.
A collective gasp rippled through the office. "Hiss—" Colleagues ducked their heads like startled quail. The Chairman rarely visited C&C, and Sophie had been distracted all week. Was he about to drag her into the conference room for a private scolding?