Chapter 153: Chapter 153: Pushing His Luck and Begging for It
Sophie Shaw didn’t believe him.
Alaric Blackwood was always so deliberate in his actions.
She turned to leave, but he caught her by the waist and pulled her back. "Go pick a dress."
"I’m not picking one."
"Then I’ll pick for you?"
"I don’t want to go to the banquet."
"Oh?"
Instead of getting angry, Alaric laughed. He wrapped his arms around her from behind, his lips brushing against her ear as he murmured in a voice only she could hear, "Then we won’t go to the banquet. We’ll go straight home and do some... interesting exercises."
"This position is pretty good right now. What do you think, wifey?"
"If you don’t pick a dress, how about we go home and try this position?"
...
Sophie was speechless. She forcefully pried his arms from her waist and went to pick a dress.
She chose a strapless, champagne-colored mermaid gown that perfectly showcased her curves.
Alaric was very pleased with her choice. He approached her holding a jewelry box, opened it, and took out the diamond necklace inside to put on her.
"Where did this necklace come from?"
"Preston Chase delivered it while you were trying on the dress."
Once the necklace was on, Alaric hugged her slender waist from behind. His eyes were fixed on the full-length mirror, gazing at the stunning woman reflected in it. He then reached up, removed the claw clip from the back of Sophie’s head, and let her long hair down.
"I haven’t styled my hair."
"It’s fine like this. It looks great."
He ran his fingers through Sophie’s long hair, preferring it down to cover the delicate, beautiful lines of her shoulders and neck. It was too pretty, too sexy, and too likely to attract the gazes of other men.
He then picked out a pair of high heels to go with the gown. He draped the overcoat back over her shoulders, put his arm around her, and walked her out of the flagship store and into the car.
The store manager followed behind, brought the high heels—box and all—to the car, and bowed as he watched them drive away.
"Did we forget to pay?"
Alaric chuckled. "It’s my personal store. Why would I pay?"
Sophie was startled. "You invested in this brand?"
"I invested before I went abroad."
"...Alright then."
’So this is how the rich get richer, using their money and resources to make even more.’
"You still haven’t answered my question," Alaric said, changing the subject.
He focused on driving, not looking at the person in the passenger seat.
"What question?"
"Have you fallen for me?"
Sophie pressed her lips together tightly, unsure how to respond.
’If I admit it, won’t it seem like I moved on too quickly?’
’It wasn’t that long ago that Damian Morgan deceived me...’
"Well, do you care about me, then?" Alaric rephrased his question more tactfully.
Sophie was still silent.
"If you don’t say anything, I’ll take it as a yes. That you’ve fallen for me."
Sophie’s heart tightened. She puffed out her cheeks. "Yes, I really like... screwing you."
Alaric: "..."
The atmosphere instantly became a little strange.
The two fell into a tacit silence. As the car neared their destination, Alaric couldn’t help but speak up again. "Wifey, your phrasing..."
"You have a great body and you’re good in bed. It’s perfectly normal to like screwing you, isn’t it?"
Sophie forced herself to continue.
Alaric thought for a moment. "That’s true."
’Wifey has a point.’
’When have I ever not left her satisfied?’
’I’m even attentive afterward, always helping her bathe, carrying her to bed, and tucking her in. It would be hard for her not to fall for me.’
After another awkward silence, Alaric finally caught on and suddenly laughed.
He started pushing his luck. "Wifey, I’m begging to get ’screwed’ tonight."
Sophie’s face couldn’t help but flush red. She feigned a serious tone and said, "We’ll see how you perform."
The car pulled up in front of the grand hotel hosting the charity banquet. Alaric got out first, tossed the keys to the hotel valet, and quickly walked over to the passenger side to open the door.
Sophie took his arm and got out of the car.
She had already changed into her high heels and was wearing the black overcoat. She followed Alaric’s lead into the hotel and took the elevator upstairs.
The charity banquet was being held in the grand hall on the sixth floor. Alaric led her to the entrance, presented their invitation to an attendant, and they entered the hall.
Dignitaries from all walks of life had already arrived, and the banquet was well underway. It wasn’t yet time for the auction, so guests were mingling and clinking glasses. There were also many invited members of the media present.
The moment Sophie and Alaric entered, and she had just taken off her overcoat to hand to an attendant, camera lenses turned toward them, shutters clicking furiously.
This was the first time Alaric Blackwood had attended a banquet with his new wife.
Facing the reporters’ cameras, the flashing lights, and the many stares from the crowd, Sophie felt a little uneasy.
Alaric gently patted the back of her hand. "I’m here. Relax."
He kept her by his side the whole time, effortlessly navigating the high-society circles and introducing her to everyone they met: "This is my wife, Sophie Shaw."
Her heart was pounding—she was so nervous—but by Alaric’s side, she also felt a profound sense of security.
"Alaric."
A discordant voice came from behind.
Alaric turned to see Vianne Kane approaching, smiling, with her arm linked through Damian Morgan’s.
"Long time no see, Alaric."
Out of politeness, Alaric smiled and nodded. "Long time no see."
"Sister, you look so beautiful today."
Vianne Kane’s gaze shifted to size up Sophie. She wore a sickly sweet smile, and her voice had its signature affected, cutesy tone.
Sophie maintained her composure. "Thank you. You too."
An attendant carrying a tray passed by. Damian called him over and picked up two cocktails, handing one to Vianne beside him and the other to Sophie.
Alaric, meanwhile, got a drink for himself.
With all four of them holding drinks, they raised their glasses in a very ’harmonious’ toast.
Someone else came over to make small talk—a middle-aged man with a potbelly, accompanied by a very young woman. He started chatting with Alaric about business. Sophie couldn’t get a word in, so she just smiled and listened to their back-and-forth.
Damian tactfully led Vianne away. After making a round of socializing, he noticed an unnatural flush on Vianne’s cheeks and that she seemed a bit dazed. He helped her over to the lounge area and sat with her on a sofa for a while.
"Vianne, you’ve had a bit too much to drink tonight."
Vianne Kane rubbed her dizzy head, her eyes fixed on the radiant Sophie in the crowd. Her expression twisted as she gritted her teeth.
’She hated Sophie for revealing her secrets to Damian. In Damian’s eyes, she’d gone from a flawless, perfect, high-and-mighty heiress to nothing more than damaged goods—a defiled woman who’d even had an abortion.’
The more brilliantly Sophie smiled beside Alaric, the deeper Vianne’s hatred grew. Her stomach started to churn, and she felt an overwhelming urge to vomit.
"Damian, I’m not feeling well. I’m going to the restroom."
She stood up. Damian stood up as well, wanting to support her, but she refused. "I can go by myself. Don’t just sit here. This is a rare opportunity. Go to my mom and have her introduce you to the bigwigs, so you can get your face known."
Damian nodded. He looked over at Bianca Kane, who was laughing and chatting in the crowd with her arm linked through Lana Rhodes’s, and immediately walked over.
Vianne Kane, fighting the discomfort in her stomach, pushed through the crowd and deliberately bumped into Sophie’s back. The collision made Sophie spill the cocktail she was holding, and a few drops splashed onto her gown.
"Sorry, Sister, that was my fault. I’m not feeling well..." Vianne said, covering her mouth with a look of pure innocence. "I feel a little sick."
Sophie glanced down at the wine stain on her dress, then at Vianne, who looked like she could barely stand. She said, "It’s fine," and turned to ignore her.
However, Vianne clung to her arm, leaning half her body weight against her. "Sister, can you please take me to the restroom?"
