Chapter 138 Adrian Hawthorne: Sophie Winslow, Will You Marry Me?

Chapter 138: Chapter 138: Adrian Hawthorne: Sophie Winslow, Will You Marry Me?

This restaurant was very popular on foreign social media apps, so there were quite a few foreigners present. Driven by their romantic nature, they couldn’t help but pay attention to this kind of scene, even offering their heartfelt blessings.

Julian Sterling glanced at Stella Sutton, then turned to the restaurant staff who had come to offer their congratulations, giving a slight nod. "Thank you."

Knowing it was a guest’s birthday, the restaurant had taken the initiative to prepare a gift and a special celebration. This naturally drew the attention of the surrounding crowd.

Stella felt the gazes coming from all directions. Being the center of attention was a feeling she thoroughly enjoyed.

"Happy birthday, miss," someone nearby spoke up.

Stella smiled gently. "Thank you, everyone."

"Are you two boyfriend and girlfriend?" a Caucasian woman at the next table asked.

Stella looked shyly across the table at Julian, who sat there with his usual aristocratic grace.

The man sharing the table with the woman immediately teased, "Or maybe they’re husband and wife?"

Many onlookers turned their attention to Stella.

Stella chuckled lightly and gave an ambiguous answer. "We aren’t married yet."

This provoked another wave of teasing. Someone enjoying the spectacle couldn’t resist egging them on. "With such a beautiful lady, you should hurry up and marry her!"

"That’s right! You two have such superior genes, it would be a shame to waste them."

The topic fell squarely on Julian. His handsome, refined features remained impassive. He merely curled his lips into a faint smile and took a slow sip from his glass. But he didn’t refuse or deny it.

Stella clearly read into his attitude. A fervent gleam flashed in her eyes, and her heart pounded. Though acting coy, she stared intently at Julian. "You’re all joking. Today is just my birthday, but if you put it that way, it seems like it’d be unacceptable if one of us doesn’t propose, right?"

Her words sounded like a joke.

Standing in the crowd, Sophie Winslow witnessed the entire scene. She could easily tell that Stella was serious. She wanted to marry Julian. She even wanted...

Sure enough, the moment Stella finished speaking, cheers erupted around them. Many praised her courage and straightforwardness, eagerly encouraging her. "In that case, why don’t we act as your witnesses today?"

These open-minded people from all over the world were suckers for romance and loved seeing a happy couple come together. The crowd started clapping.

"Propose!"

"Propose!"

"Propose!"

Obviously, the stars of tonight were Stella and Julian.

Even Sophie hadn’t expected things to develop this way. Amidst the deafening cheers, she watched her ex-husband and his mistress being celebrated. Even if she didn’t care anymore, she still found it incredibly ironic. The hands gripping her DSLR camera grew unconsciously cold. It felt like a massive mockery of her seven years as the hidden Mrs. Sterling, broadcasting her utter disgrace.

Suddenly, Sophie felt a deep gaze land on her. She looked up.

Incredibly, Julian had already locked onto her perfectly within the crowd. His expression barely shifted, not minding in the least that his ex-wife was witnessing his blossoming new romance.

Naturally, Stella had also spotted Sophie. She let out a silent, mocking laugh, tilted her chin up slightly, and played along with the crowd. "Since everyone has hyped up the mood this much, it would be a letdown if I didn’t make a move, wouldn’t it?"

She said this, but her eyes were fixed on Sophie. Her expression was exceptionally natural and confident.

In truth, it was just a coincidence that it was her birthday today; she was actually here to meet the CEO of a major tech firm to secure a robotics contract. But with the atmosphere so lively, what was wrong with playing along with the moment? It wasn’t as if she was actively trying to force a marriage. Everyone was just suggesting it, and she wasn’t someone who couldn’t take a joke. Julian certainly wouldn’t humiliate her in public. Of that, she was firmly convinced.

Sophie could tell Stella was mocking her.

Just then, someone spoke up. "Miss, you happen to have a camera. Why don’t you take some photos and videos for this loving couple to document this precious moment?"

Countless eyes fell on Sophie. Seeing that she really was carrying a DSLR, the crowd enthusiastically chimed in. "Yeah! We’re sure you’d want to wish them well too."

Stella took one look and smiled silently. She raised an eyebrow, waiting for Sophie to be put on the spot and forced to agree. Others might not know, but she knew this was completely trampling on Sophie’s dignity.

Julian lightly rubbed the rim of his glass with his thumb, watching Sophie with emotionless eyes.

Right at that moment, the restaurant manager stepped forward with a smile, holding a tray. "This is a gift left behind by a top luxury jewelry brand when they shot a commercial in our restaurant a month ago, meant for a lucky couple. It just so happens to be a pair of matching couple’s rings, entrusted to us to give away as fate dictates. If you don’t mind, you can use them as engagement rings."

The stars had aligned perfectly. Everything had fallen into place.

Surprise and delight flashed in Stella’s eyes. Originally, she had just been egged on, and a verbal proposal wouldn’t necessarily be taken seriously. But now that the rings were being delivered right to them...

Her heart hammered wildly, and she looked at Julian almost involuntarily. Today, she was absolutely going to be the center of everyone’s attention.

In that instant, a laugh bubbled up in Sophie’s chest, but her eyes were cold. Today’s situation felt like a personal execution. It was humiliation, a slow, agonizing torture, the sheer embarrassment of being provoked by the other woman.

She refused to stay and watch. She certainly refused to be a prop to record their beautiful moment. Even if it made her look like a sore loser fleeing in defeat, she didn’t care anymore.

She was just about to turn around when her forehead bumped into a man’s solid chest.

Sophie looked up and met Adrian Hawthorne’s deep gaze. She had no idea how long he had been there, nor how much he had heard.

The moment he noticed Adrian, Julian narrowed his dark eyes.

Stella was also confused. She stood up to greet him. "Mr. Hawthorne, you..."

"Since these two are unsure about getting married, may I ask if the restaurant would be willing to part with the rings and give them to me?" Adrian ignored Stella entirely and looked directly at the restaurant manager.

The manager hesitated. "You want the rings for..."

Adrian walked over, picked up the diamond ring from the tray, and walked right back to Sophie under the watchful eyes of the crowd.

His voice was cool and steady. "Miss Winslow, would you consider marrying me?"