Chapter 450

Katherine didn't show any displeasure. With perfect poise, she responded, "Don't worry about me. Focus on your work. I can explore on my own."

Julian felt a pang of guilt at her graciousness. "I'll have my assistant accompany you. Just let him know if you need anything."

"Of course."

The moment Julian disappeared around the corner, Katherine's smile vanished like morning mist. She turned slowly, her gaze lingering on the closed office door with an unsettling intensity.

...

Inside the office, Evelyn brightened upon seeing Sophia. "What brings you here unexpectedly?"

Sophia set down her designer handbag with a casual smile. "Just happened to be in the neighborhood."

Her eyes flickered downward as she asked nonchalantly, "Julian's here too?"

"Oh yes," Evelyn explained, "he came to support our new talent division. Just signed his exclusive contract with Kingsley Industries."

Sophia's eyebrows lifted in genuine surprise. "He signed with your company?"

"Absolutely. He's now our flagship celebrity."

Recognizing Sophia's unspoken feelings, Evelyn added carefully, "If VERE Jewelry sponsors us, Julian would be the primary beneficiary at this stage."

Sophia murmured something indistinct, letting the conversation lapse.

Evelyn reached for her hand. "Sophia, you could always tell him how you feel."

A shadow crossed Sophia's expressive eyes.

Her lips twisted into a bitter smile. "No. Some emotions are better left unspoken. This way... at least we can remain friends."

"But if you never voice them—"

"Sometimes ignorance is kinder."

Sophia met Evelyn's gaze squarely. "I overheard your conversation earlier, from the hallway."

"Don't take his words at face value," Evelyn insisted. Knowing Julian as she did, she couldn't believe he'd remained indifferent to Sophia all these years.

"Let it be. Love follows its own mysterious path," Sophia sighed, the resignation in her voice palpable.

Evelyn felt a surge of concern. She couldn't bear to see Julian miss out on someone as remarkable as Sophia.

"You truly believe that?"

Sophia nodded firmly.

Changing tactics, Evelyn mentioned casually, "Julian brought his protégée along today."

"Protégée?" Sophia's attention sharpened.

"Yes. Said her previous contract just ended, so he introduced her to us. He's been unusually attentive to her career."

Sophia's expression turned carefully neutral. "Is that so?"

But her gaze grew distant, betraying her racing thoughts.

Evelyn understood perfectly. A woman's heart has limited space—room only for the one who holds it.

Sophia's reaction confirmed everything. This might be the perfect opportunity to bring them together.

"So is VERE Jewelry considering sponsoring us?"

Sophia snapped back to the present. "Absolutely! We should always support our own."