First Meeting
1512 Words
The ballroom blazed with gold. Crystal chandeliers cast brilliant light across the space.
Sophia Carter entered on Lucas Sterling's arm, immediately feeling countless gazes settle on her. Curious ones. Searching ones. And some with undisguised mockery—she could hear the whispers around her.
"Is that Young Master Sterling's new date?"
"I heard she's the Blake Family's eldest daughter... wait, she's the adopted one."
"The one the Harrington Family jilted? Tsk, what taste Young Master Sterling has..."
The whispers swirled like tidewater. Sophia's smile didn't waver at all.
She was used to it.
Over twenty years living in the Blake Family had taught her how to face these attacks without flinching.
"Ignore them." Lucas's voice came low in her ear, barely audible. "Today you're the star."
"I know." She slightly tilted her head, responding softly near his ear. "Thanks for the reminder."
Lucas's body tensed—just slightly.
Sophia didn't notice this detail. Her attention had been captured by someone else—a woman in a purple gown walking toward her, wearing a sickly-sweet smile.
Helena Blake.
"Sister!" Helena's voice dripped honey. "What a coincidence, running into you here."
Sophia smoothly withdrew her arm. "Helena."
Her voice was calm, showing no emotion.
"It's been days, Sister. You look much better." Helena's gaze swept over her. "That gown is stunning. Did Mr. Sterling give it to you? You're so lucky."
"Thanks." Sophia's tone was cool. "You're beautiful too."
"Thank you, Sister." Helena's eyes curved into crescents. "But Sister seems to have forgotten—today's event isn't for just any date to attend."
Sophia's brow rose slightly.
What was she implying?
"Helena," she smiled. "Are you implying I'm just a 'date,' not a proper wife?"
Helena's smile froze.
"Sister misunderstood." She rushed to explain. "I just thought it best to be discreet. After all, you and Victor..."
"My thing with Young Master Victor is in the past." Sophia cut her off. "Now I'm part of the Sterling Family. I don't want to bring up the past."
"But—"
"Helena." Sophia's voice suddenly turned cold. "Did you come today to catch up, or to show off?"
Helena's face changed.
"Sister, how could you say that..."
"How? Do you think I'm wrong?" Sophia's gaze fell on her face. "You and Victor, scheming against me from the start. Now that the engagement is broken, you still want to come mock me?"
"I didn't..."
"Helena Blake." Sophia's voice was soft, yet carried undeniable authority. "I'm warning you—don't play your tricks in front of me. Did you think I didn't know how you and Victor schemed against me?"
Helena's face instantly turned ashen.
"Sister, what are you saying..."
"What I'm saying, you know in your heart." Sophia spoke calmly. "From the very beginning, you've been scheming against me. Now that the engagement is off, you still want to kick me while I'm down?"
"That's enough."
A voice came from the side.
Sophia turned to see Victor Harrington walking toward them. He wore a white suit, holding a glass of red wine, face carrying an uncomfortable smile.
"Sophia," he stood before her, gaze lingering on her. "So beautiful. This gown suits you better than those noble daughters."
"Thanks." Sophia's tone was cool. "Young Master Victor also has good taste, choosing such a 'good wife.'"
Victor's smile froze.
"Sophia, are you still angry?" He stepped closer. "Actually, I didn't intentionally break the engagement. It's just that Helena—"
"Young Master Victor." Sophia cut him off. "Let the past be the past. We each have our own lives now."
"But I don't want it to be the past." Victor's gaze turned dangerous. "Sophia, do you know? After breaking up with you, I realized... I still can't let you go."
Sophia froze.
What kind of game was this?
"Victor?" Helena's voice came from beside, carrying a sharp edge.
Victor ignored her. He stared into Sophia's eyes, voice dropping lower: "Sophia, as long as you're willing, I can give you a new status. Though not as the main wife, but—"
"Young Master Victor." Sophia couldn't help but laugh. "Did you get something wrong?"
"What?"
"I, Sophia Carter, would rather die alone than be someone's mistress." Her voice wasn't loud, yet sufficient for those nearby to hear. "Besides, I'm now part of the Sterling Family."
She finished, turning to look at Lucas, who had been silently standing nearby. She reached out and took his arm.
"Let's go, Young Master Sterling." She said. "Someone wants to see you over there."
Lucas's gaze lingered on her face for a moment. Those eyes were very deep, showing no emotion whatsoever.
"Alright." He said.
The two turned and left, leaving Victor's ashen face and Helena's twisted expression behind.
"Sophia Carter!" Helena's voice chased from behind. "Don't be so smug! What makes you think you can hold your ground in the Sterling Family?"
Sophia didn't look back.
She only gripped Lucas's arm tighter, walking forward step by step.
"You played that well."
In a quiet corner, Lucas spoke suddenly.
"What?" Sophia paused.
"Just now." His gaze fell on the hand holding his arm. "Well coordinated."
Only then did Sophia realize she was still holding him. She quickly let go, a flash of awkwardness crossing her face.
"Professional quality." She said. "Since we're a contract couple, we must act the part."
"Professional quality?" A slight smile touched Lucas's lips. "Miss Carter's understanding of work is unique."
"Likewise."
The two gazed at each other for a moment, then suddenly both laughed.
This was the first time Sophia relaxed in front of him. She found that when this man wasn't being cold-faced, he wasn't actually that scary.
"Young Master Sterling," she couldn't help asking, "are you really not bothered?"
"Bothered about what?"
"About what Victor Harrington said just now."
Lucas was silent for a moment.
"Bothered." He said. "But not because of you."
"Then because of what?"
"Because—" He looked at her, gaze suddenly turning very deep. "He actually dared to covet what's mine."
Sophia's heart skipped a beat.
"What's yours?" Her voice felt dry. "We're just a contract relationship."
"Contract is also a contract." Lucas withdrew his gaze, returning to that cold demeanor. "Let's go. The gala is starting."
He turned and walked ahead.
Sophia watched his back, suddenly feeling she couldn't read this man.
He said Victor was coveting "what's his." But they were clearly just a contract couple.
What did that mean?
Halfway through the gala, Sophia finally met Grandmother Victoria.
The old lady looked extremely dignified—silver hair combed immaculately, wearing a dark red qipao, sitting upright at the main table's seat. Her gaze was sharp as if capable of seeing through people's hearts, naturally making others nervous.
"Come here." She waved to Sophia.
Sophia took a deep breath and walked forward.
"Grandmother." She slightly bowed. "Hello."
Grandmother Victoria studied her up and down, gaze sharp enough to make one's hair stand on end.
"Raise your head." She said.
Sophia complied.
Grandmother Victoria stared at her for a long time, long enough for Sophia to think she would say something unpleasant.
"Not bad." The old lady spoke suddenly. "Prettier than in the photo."
Sophia froze.
Was this a compliment?
"Sit." Grandmother Victoria pointed to the seat beside her. "Talk with me."
Sophia sat down nervously.
"Heard you were jilted by the Harrington Family?" Grandmother Victoria got straight to the point.
"Yes." Sophia didn't deny.
"Why?"
Sophia hesitated, deciding to be honest: "Because of my health condition."
"Oh?" Grandmother Victoria's brow slightly rose. "What health condition?"
"Endometriosis." Sophia's voice was calm. "The doctor said the probability of natural conception is very low."
Grandmother Victoria's face changed.
Sophia's heart sank.
*It's over,* she thought. The old lady must be dissatisfied with this answer.
"That Harrington Family," Grandmother Victoria suddenly coldly laughed, "truly shallow-sighted."
Sophia stared.
"When I was young, I also had difficulty conceiving." Grandmother Victoria took a sip of tea. "Later gave birth to three children."
"..." Sophia didn't know what to say.
"That ex-fiancé of yours," Grandmother Victoria continued, "I've long disliked him. A man who climbed through women, dares to reject my granddaughter-in-law?"
Sophia's mouth couldn't help twitching.
"And that Helena Blake," Grandmother Victoria's voice cooled, "I've investigated her background. Fake heiress, took your identity, now still trying to climb into the Sterling Family? Dream on."
"Grandmother—"
"Enough, no need to explain." Grandmother Victoria waved her hand. "Since I had Lucas marry you, I have my reasons. You just need to remember one thing—"
She looked at Sophia, gaze suddenly softening somewhat.
"Once you enter the Sterling Family's door, you're a Sterling Family person. Anyone who dares bully you, I won't agree first."
Sophia froze.
This was the first time since being jilted that someone stood firmly on her side.
"Thank you, Grandmother." She lowered her head, voice somewhat choked.
"Cry what?" Grandmother Victoria hmphed. "Save the tears. Someone else wants to see you later."
"Someone else?"
"Mm." Grandmother Victoria's gaze looked into the distance. "Lucas's mother, she'll be here tonight."
Sophia's heart rose again.
- Writer
