Chapter 387

"Your presence offends my sight!"

Elizabeth: "..."

"You! From now on, you'll be Sophia's assistant. I don't care if you refuse—either accept it or leave immediately!" Julian snapped at Elizabeth, his tone cutting and merciless.

"I... I'll do it." What choice did she have?

If she were fired from Montgomery Designs, and word got out that she'd been dismissed by Mr. Montgomery himself for incompetence, no architecture firm in Harborview City would hire her again.

The humiliation burned as Julian's scolding echoed through the design department, leaving Elizabeth no choice but to lower her head in submission. The other designers watched, their loyalties shifting like weathervanes in a storm.

Within seconds, sycophantic smiles bloomed across their faces as they turned their attention to Sophia.

"Congratulations, Ms. Montgomery! We look forward to learning from you."

"Your crisis management skills are truly unmatched. We’ll be relying on your guidance."

"Shall I help clear your workspace, Ms. Montgomery?"

"Elizabeth, hurry up and move your things!"

"Yes, don’t keep her waiting!"

Sophia and Elizabeth exchanged a glance.

Sophia remained composed. "There’s no need. I can organize my own space. We’re all here to work—let’s focus on that."

She turned to Julian. "Thank you, Mr. Montgomery. I’ll earn my salary. Elizabeth has her strengths—we’ll complement each other."

Her words granted Elizabeth a sliver of dignity.

Elizabeth muttered, "Thank you, Sophia."

Sophia nodded curtly. "No need."

As she began arranging her desk, Julian lingered in the doorway, studying her with newfound fascination.

She was striking—not in a flashy way, but in the quiet, unshakable confidence she carried. Even her deliberately plain clothes couldn’t hide it.

And that only intrigued him more.

By evening, Julian had parked his sleek sports car at the company entrance, waiting.

When Sophia descended the steps with Sophia Carter, his cousin, he stepped forward, brandishing an extravagant bouquet.

"Sophia, join me for dinner."

Sophia’s gaze flickered past him to the obsidian-black luxury sedan idling at the intersection.

"Sorry. My husband is here to pick me up."

Julian froze.

"...You're married?" Disbelief and disappointment warred in his voice. "You’re so young. Did someone pressure you into—"

Sophia sidestepped him. "Excuse me."

She could practically feel the lethal glare from the car’s shadowed interior.

"Sophia!" Julian called after her. "Marriage doesn’t mean you can’t have friends!"

If Ethan weren’t waiting, Sophia might’ve asked Julian what exactly he saw in her. Her reticence? Her thrift-store wardrobe?

Or was she just another novelty, like Liam Sterling six years ago?

But she didn’t have time.

Ethan’s patience was a ticking bomb.

She hurried toward the car. Julian stared after her—until a passing bus blocked his view.

By the time it passed, Sophia was already inside, and the car had vanished.

Inside, Sophia immediately explained, "That was Julian Montgomery. Rumor says his family holds influence in Kingsbury. Could he be related to your associate, Lucas Grayson?"

Ethan’s jaw tightened. "You’re researching his background now?"

The acidic jealousy in his tone was lost on him—but not on Nathan, who stifled a laugh.

Sophia blinked. "I’m just telling you he won’t stop bothering me—"

Then she caught herself.

Why was she justifying this?

Their marriage was a piece of paper. He hadn’t even announced it publicly.

Yet under Ethan’s glacial stare, her defiance withered.

"Are you off this weekend?" Ethan abruptly changed the subject.

Sophia frowned. "What?"

"I asked if you’re free tomorrow."

"No, I— Wait, weren’t we talking about Julian?"

"I know."

Her brows knitted. "Know what?"

"That you have nothing to do with him," he said flatly.

Nathan chuckled under his breath.

His boss’s wife was adorably oblivious.

Didn’t she realize? By explaining, she’d just handed Ethan all the ammunition he needed to bury Julian Montgomery without a second thought.