The Scheme
970 Words
However, Nathan Scott gave Isabella a look of disbelief, questioning, "When did I say I was going to bid for it?"
He couldn’t recall saying he would bid. This woman was baffling him.
"Nathan, didn’t you just..." Isabella attempted to argue but was interrupted by Jason Moore's announcement from the stage.
"This Heart of the Ocean, undoubtedly known to all, needs no introduction from me regarding its value. To give everyone a closer look at its beauty, I’d like to invite a lovely lady from the audience to present it to us, allowing everyone a direct appreciation of this pink necklace charm."
Isabella leaned forward slightly, confident that with her status and looks, Jason would surely choose her. If she were to wear the Star of the Ocean, Nathan would be captivated, fall for her, and declare his love.
Immersed in her fantasy, Isabella pictured a scenario where Nathan would come up to her, smile, and propose, “Isabella, you’re so beautiful. Marry me!”
Yet, before her fantasy could complete, Jason Moore's magnetic voice echoed through the hall, “Let’s invite the lovely Miss Amanda to the stage to showcase the Heart of the Ocean for us!”
As Jason’s warm gaze settled on Sophia, all eyes in the hall turned towards her seat in the VIP section.
Sophia was stunned, her thoughts in a whirl. She hadn't expected Jason's request to be for her to model the Heart of the Ocean.
Why not Lin Qianyu? As a well-known actress frequently representing jewelry, Lin Qianyu would have been an obvious choice for such a display.
Amused by Sophia’s bewildered expression, Jason Moore stepped down from the stage, extending a hand in invitation to her, his eyes signaling, “You promised earlier; you can't back out now.”
Sophia, inwardly frustrated, knew she hadn’t agreed to anything; it was clear that Jason was setting her up.
Feeling all eyes on her, she knew declining would be awkward for Jason. After seeing Ethan Turner and Lin Qianyu nodding encouragingly, with Lin Qianyu even gesturing her to hurry, Sophia stopped hesitating. She gracefully placed her slender hand in Jason's.
Seeing her consent, Jason gently kissed the back of her hand and led her onto the stage.
Sophia, led onto the stage by Jason, felt a little embarrassed even though she knew the kiss was just a formality. Her face flushed slightly.
The audience erupted into cheers, witnessing this scene.
Some began to speculate about Jason and Sophia's relationship.
"Isn’t Amanda a designer from Vogue International Group? How did she get so close to the Shaw family's young master upon her arrival in Hilltown City? It seems like they're getting along quite well!"
"Right, Amanda is now one of the hottest Chinese designers globally, also serving as the chief designer of Vogue International Group’s China company. Talented and beautiful, she does seem well-matched with the young master Shaw!"
"Could they possibly be a couple already?"
"Who knows? They do seem like a perfect pair, a true match made in heaven. Look at how they complement each other."
As Sophia and Jason proceeded to the stage, people buzzed with their thoughts and even showed support for the development of their relationship.
Meanwhile, unseen by the audience, Sophia pinched the inside of Jason’s arm.
"You set me up!" she whispered in frustration.
"Easy, easy, Amanda. Didn’t you agree earlier? Aren't you a woman of your word?" Jason responded in a mockingly hurt tone, his eyes playfully conveying his innocence.
"Fine, I’ll let it go this time. But there won’t be a next time!" Sophia coolly retorted, choosing not to dwell on it further.
She knew Jason had no malice in his actions, and the Heart of the Ocean was indeed a stunning piece. As a celebrated designer, she was naturally intrigued by all beautiful things. Being able to closely examine such a treasure was indeed a fortuitous event.
With this thought, any lingering irritation at Jason’s scheme faded away.
However, while the audience was engaged in laughter and speculation, Nathan Scott sat with a frosty demeanor.
He had initially glanced at Jason and Sophia out of curiosity, wondering about the woman who dared to reject his invitation. But he never imagined the renowned Amanda would be his ex-wife, Sophia. This revelation left him momentarily stunned.
And when Nathan saw Jason kiss Sophia’s hand, with Sophia blushing rather than rejecting the gesture, he was nearly shaken to his core.
He couldn’t believe it. The Sophia who once was too shy to even hold hands with him was now bold enough to indulge in such an intimate display in public.
Nathan realized that the woman Ethan had held earlier was not his girlfriend, but his sister. He wondered how he had missed it initially, only feeling a sense of déjà vu from her silhouette.
Recalling the events of five years ago, Nathan remembered that it was five days after his last encounter with Sophia when he returned home, having pacified Elizabeth Scott and settled things with Isabella Reed. Dragging his weary body back to their house, he was greeted not with the usual sight of lights left on in the living room, nor the usual eager embrace from Sophia rushing out at the sound of his car. There were no delicious meals that he loved waiting on the table – only the stark and lonely emptiness of a long, cold night.
The lights in the bedroom were off, and the bed was frigid, as if the villa had been uninhabited, devoid of any sign of life. Exhausted and already on edge, Nathan felt a surge of anger rising within him at this desolate scene. Just as he was about to call Sophia, his eyes caught sight of a crumpled piece of paper lying quietly on the windowsill.
- Writer
