Chapter 159 Fulfilling His Deep Love

Chapter 159: Chapter 159: Fulfilling His Deep Love

The laugh was extremely grating, making no effort to hide its mockery.

Sophie Winslow tightened her grip on the doorknob. She turned around to see Finn Lockwood standing behind her, though she had no idea when he had arrived. His eyes were full of derision at her presence, his gaze particularly fixed on the insulated lunchbox in her hand.

Sophie couldn’t understand it. She had never offended Finn, nor had she ever had any friction with him, yet his attitude toward her had noticeably worsened recently. In the past, even if he looked down on her, he would at least maintain a facade of politeness. Now, he couldn’t even be bothered to pretend.

"If this is considered throwing myself at him, then are you the product of your mother throwing herself at your father?" Sophie shot back, her tone even sharper. She was absolutely sick of the arrogant superiority these people displayed. Every single thing she did had to be labeled as low-class and ruthlessly trampled upon. Since that was the case, she didn’t mind biting back. After all, if interactions between a husband and wife were considered "throwing oneself" at the other, then Finn was insulting every married couple in the world.

Finn was somewhat aware of Sophie’s sharp tongue, but he hadn’t experienced it much firsthand. Caught off guard by her fierce retort, he frowned. "Sophie, watch your mouth."

Sophie wanted to laugh, and she actually did—a mocking sneer. "You think it’s too much when I throw the same filth that came out of your mouth right back at you? With such a fragile ego, why even try to play the guard dog?"

Finn’s expression changed. He could tell Sophie was insinuating that he was acting as a lapdog for Stella Sutton...

Having delivered her counterattack, Sophie pushed the ward door open and walked right in, not even bothering to knock. After all, these people clearly didn’t deserve her courtesy and good manners.

As soon as she entered, she unexpectedly locked eyes with Julian Sterling’s deep, bottomless gaze. He was leaning lazily against the pillows, and it was unclear if he had heard the argument at the door. He looked weary and indifferent. His appearance was impeccably striking, yet he seemed completely devoid of human warmth. His face was unusually pale, giving off the impression that he had lost a significant amount of blood.

Sophie’s steps involuntarily slowed. It seemed his condition was... more serious than she had imagined?

Sitting by his bedside and chatting cheerfully with him was Stella Sutton. Seeing Sophie "rudely intrude" upon their private world, Stella looked somewhat displeased. "I don’t think you’re needed here."

She put on the high-and-mighty airs of the lady of the house, showing no self-awareness that she was, in fact, the mistress who couldn’t see the light of day. She drove Sophie away as if it were her absolute right.

Sophie didn’t even glance at Stella. She walked straight over and placed the medicinal soup—which Madam Sterling had forced her to prepare—on the nightstand.

"Madam Sterling told me to bring this to you." Sophie didn’t say a single unnecessary word. As for asking about his injuries or showing any warmth and concern, she skipped all of that entirely.

At her words, Julian lowered his eyes to look at the insulated lunchbox.

Finn, who had followed her into the room, scoffed. "How many times are you going to use that excuse? Being upfront about your intentions would be better than this."

Stella also curled her lips in a silent sneer. She thought Finn was absolutely right. Sophie was just trying to use these petty favors to wag her tail and beg for Julian’s attention. What other tricks could a defeated woman possibly have?

Sophie ignored them, keeping her eyes fixed on Julian. "Can we talk?" She hadn’t forgotten the matters that remained unanswered earlier. The divorce certificate and the fund transfer were both of utmost importance.

Stella stood up immediately, her posture oozing disdain. "Julian, I’m going to buy some fruit for you. Finn, come with me." She carried herself with the composure of a lawful wife, generously and confidently leaving her beloved man alone in the room with another woman. It was as if she were dispensing charity by giving Sophie some space.

Only then did Julian nod slowly.

Stella shot a sidelong glance at Sophie. Some losers simply weren’t worth her concern.

As soon as they left, Sophie got straight to the point. "When will the funds arrive? When are we getting the divorce certificate?" There wasn’t a single word of nonsense.

Julian tilted his head and narrowed his eyes at her. She didn’t seem to notice his injuries at all; she looked exactly like a debt collector showing up at his door, only talking about money and completely devoid of empathy. He turned off his phone screen and rubbed it silently for a moment before speaking coldly. "Agree to my conditions, and the money will be in the account tomorrow."

Sophie didn’t understand. They had negotiated everything properly before—why were there suddenly conditions for the transfer?

"Faye’s copyright access to the Digital Chinese Medicine database, and cooperation with the Longview project team."

Sophie pressed her lips tightly together. Staring at Julian’s nonchalant face, she let out an exasperated laugh. So it was all for Stella’s project after all. To think that he would withhold Helios’s funds just to secure access and pave the way for Stella. This wasn’t a negotiation; it was forcing them to agree. After all, the project was currently in full swing. It couldn’t afford a single mistake, nor could it be interrupted. Time waited for no one.

Julian observed Sophie’s every reaction. "If it’s doable, go sign the contract tomorrow. The money will be transferred at the same time."

Sophie understood now. Julian had given Helios no other choice. There was no need for her to argue or refuse anymore. When a man exhausted himself to elevate a woman with such deep devotion, who could possibly stop him? It was obvious without even thinking about it. Julian was doing everything in his power to make Stella successful in order to shut the Sterling Family up. Only when Stella gained fame and prestige would the Sterling Family accept her and allow her to marry into the family.

What a brilliant calculation...

So, saying anything more would just be a waste of time.

"Helios will consider it." She didn’t agree outright, since everyone assumed she had no decision-making power anyway.

Sophie turned to leave.

Julian looked over at her. "Nothing else to say?"

Naturally, Sophie didn’t think there was anything left for them to say now. Care? Heartache? Looking after him? They were already divorcing—wasn’t all of that redundant? She looked him in the eye and replied crisply, "No."

Julian’s stern face remained expressionless.

At that moment, the ward door was pushed open again. Stella and Finn had returned, brushing past Sophie. The moment Sophie turned back to close the door, she happened to see Stella walk up to the bedside without batting an eye. She picked up the insulated lunchbox containing the medicinal soup that Sophie had simmered for nearly two hours and tossed it into the nearby trash can like a piece of garbage.

Julian didn’t care in the slightest, not even sparing it a second glance.

Sophie froze for a moment, though she wasn’t entirely surprised. He didn’t even care about her as a person, so how could she expect him to cherish her efforts and good intentions?

***

Once Sophie left, Stella’s mood noticeably improved. She speared a piece of the cut fruit she had bought and brought it to Julian’s lips.

"Julian, you scared me to death yesterday. The doctor said they almost couldn’t stop the bleeding. I’ll ask my mom to make you a nourishing soup when I get back later."

Julian coughed lightly and reached for the water on the table. Stella hurriedly pulled back the fruit she had offered.

"Wait for Helios’s call," Julian said, taking a small sip of water.

At first, Stella didn’t understand, but she quickly realized what he meant. "You mean the copyright for the database?" she asked, pleasantly surprised.

"Yes."

"Helios agreed?"

Julian narrowed his dark eyes slightly. "They will."

Stella’s cheeks instantly flushed. She gazed at Julian with even deeper affection and, overcome with emotion, couldn’t resist leaning in to hug him.