Chapter 148


    “Uh, kinda, yeah,” Sophia piped up before Cindy could get a word in. “Last time I was back, I ran out of


    juice on my phone during dinner and didn’t have any cash on me, and she covered the meal for me.”


    She kept herposure and tone casual, and after she finished, Sophia coolly turned to Cindy. “I really


    owe you one forst time. I didn’t get around to adding you on WhatsApp to pay you back. Let’s swap


    numbers, shall we?”


    Whipping out her phone, she opened WhatsApp and went straight to add Cindy’s contact.


    Cindy was totally thrown off by Sophia’s pace, puzzled at first but then totally focused on adding each


    other on WhatsApp. She happily nodded, “Sure thing!” and quickly pulled out her phone, flipped to her


    WhatsApp QR code, and turned her screen towards Sophia.


    Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.


    Cindy’s eyes were lit up with excitement and admiration, just like someone who’s had the surprise of


    bumping into a stranger andter finding out it was their boss.


    Kent chuckled and chimed in, “It’s a small world, isn’t it? Fancy you two having such a twist of fate.”


    As Sophia scanned Cindy’s WhatsApp, she replied with an easy smile, “You bet.”


    Casually ncing at Cindy, who was buzzing with the excitement of a new connection, Sophia’s gaze


    then seemingly drifted unintentionally to Brandon. Their eyes met, his gaze calm yet unreadably deep.


    Sophia felt her heart pound wildly, her palms sweating as she clutched her phone.


    She never imagined that the girl she casually chatted with at the police station would turn out to be a


    colleague, giving her such a big surprise right after signing her employment contract.


    Feeling a bit rattled under Brandon’s intense stare, she was saved by the arrival of guestsing to


    congratte him, momentarily drawing his attention away with a “Mr. Crawley.”


    Sophia forced herself to stayposed, exchanged smiles with Cindy, and then turned to the others.


    “Let’s all add each other on WhatsApp, shall we? Looking forward to working with everyone. Please


    forgive any shorings on my part.”


    She showed her QR code to them, and they all whipped out their phones to connect. The atmosphere


    quickly shifted to work mode, and Cindy’s initial surprise was soon forgotten.


    After everyone had added her, Sophia pocketed her phone and stole another nce at Brandon. He


    was standing side-on, engaging politely with a client, his expression cool and detached but with that


    effortless control he always had. His attention


    didn’t return to her.


    As people began mingling again, Sophia felt out of ce. She wasn’t one for schmoozing, and the long


    flight and jetg were taking their toll. She didn’t join the crowd but drifted towards the dining area,


    messaging Cindy. [Sorry for the trouble, but could you keep the other day’s incident under wraps? It’s a


    bit too much for some folks to wrap their heads around.]


    After sending the message, she watched Cindy nce down at her phone as it buzzed, then promptly


    replied with a [No worries, I get it. Your secret’s safe with me.]


    [Thanks,] Sophia sent back, then after a moment asked, [Could you delete this chat, please?]


    Cindy looked confused and a bit puzzled as to why but after spotting Sophia in the crowd, she replied


    with a quick [Sure thing] and deleted their chat history.


    Sophia saw Cindy delete the messages, feeling a weight lift off her chest, though she was still


    somewhat uneasy.


    Running into Cindy was totally unexpected and threw her for a loop. She didn’t really know Cindy and


    whether she could keep her promise of confidentiality.


    Sophia was just there to work, to push the Zenithan-style resort project forward, not to stir up any


    complications, especially not after Brandon’s unexpected kiss had caught her off guard, and now Cindy.


    Feeling lost, Sophia absentmindedly swirled the wine in her ss, deep in thought and oblivious to the


    curious nces of those around her.


    Sophia was a looker fair-skinned, slim, and with a girl-next-door vibe that was effortlessly charming and


    disarming, the kind that sparks a protective instinct in men. So even though she wasn’t mingling, she


    caught the attention of others.


    A young-looking guy approached her with a drink in hand and greeted her confidently, “Hello, Director.”


    Sophia snapped out of her reverie and looked up at the young man.


    He was tall, easily over six feet, with a handsome and sunny demeanor, exuding the fresh energy of


    someone straight out of college. His eyes were clear and bright, untouched by the cynicism of the


    corporate grind.


    08:41


    She vaguely remembered seeing him during the WhatsApp exchange but her mind had been


    elsewhere, so his name didn’t stick. “Hello,” Sophia replied with a smile, not quitefortable with the


    formal title. “Just call me Sophia.”


    “Sophia?” The young man mulled over the name. “Unique and charming. It suits you.”


    His ease showed no hint of formality or nervousness around a superior.


    Sophia offered a polite smile. “Thanks.”


    He introduced himself with a cheerful grin, “I’m Augus, part of the design team too. I hope you can


    show me the ropes.”


    With that, he shed a broad, friendly smile.


    He’s got pearly whites and a smile that could light up a room so dang infectious it puts everyone in a


    good mood just looking at him.


    Sophia shed a polite grin back, “Let’s learn from each other.”


    Off to the side, mingling, Brandon nced over at Sophia. His gaze lingered when he caught the hint of


    a smile tugging at her lips. Then, turning to the tall dude chatting her up, he couldn’t help but furrow his


    brow just a tad.


    Kent was right next to Brandon and, noticing the wrinkle in his forehead, instinctively followed


    Brandon’s line of sight to Sophia. Spotting the guy yapping away with her, he quickly sifted through his


    memories and filled Brandon in, “That guy’s name’s Augus, fresh out of grad school this year, currently


    working as an assistant designer in the design department.”


    Brandon shot him a look, “Assistant to who?”


    “The head hon,” Kent started to say “head honcho’s assistant” but caught himself mid-sentence under


    Brandon’s piercing stare, correcting himself, “Head manager’s assistant.”


    Brandon probed further, “What’s he like?”


    “Pretty talented, his designs are fresh and innovative, a real design wiz,” Kent replied, making sure to


    add, “That’s ording to Don. He was a personal hire.”


    Brandon pressed on, “And his personality?”