Cici heard the familiar voice and spun around abruptly, only to see a graceful figure squeezing through the crowd toward her.
Cici looked closely and immediately broke into a smile. "Sophie, you came too!"
The newcomer was none other than the eldest daughter of the Mo Family, Sophie Mo.
Neither of them had expected to run into each other at the exhibition, and they hugged happily!
"I didn't expect to see you here either." It had been a while since Cici last saw Sophie, and she was thrilled. "Did you come alone?"
"Yeah, I'm here representing the Mo Family." Sophie brushed her long hair aside, still as delicate and graceful as ever. "Cici, when are you finally going to say yes to my brother? You have no idea—my parents are practically dreaming of you as their daughter-in-law! My brother's been chasing you for years. Can't you give us a straight answer?"
Cici's expression changed slightly. She pulled Sophie aside and, biting her lip, said, "Sophie, I have a question for you."
Sophie looked at Cici in confusion and nodded. "Go ahead, ask."
"Did I really have a child three years ago?" Cici's eyes flickered, but she asked with determined resolve. "If I had a marriage contract with Max, how could I have had a child with another man?"
"You... you know everything now?" Sophie's face changed instantly. "How is that possible? How did your hints—"
Cici's face suddenly changed!
Sophie seemed to realize something too and quickly covered her mouth with her hand.
Unable to hold back, Cici grabbed Sophie's arm, her face full of disbelief. "It's really true? If I had a child with another man, why would Max Mo still pursue me? It doesn't make sense! Your brother is so accomplished—the crown prince of Eastshire Province—so why would he chase after someone like me, who's already damaged goods?"
Sophie immediately covered Cici's mouth. "Don't say that, Cici! How did you learn about what happened three years ago?"
Just then, Charles Yin approached, leading a group of people over.
Both Sophie and Cici looked up at the same time.
The moment Sophie saw Charles Yin, she instinctively pulled Cici behind her, trying to shield her from his gaze.
Charles Yin stopped in front of them. Noticing Sophie's instinctive gesture, he gave a faint, ambiguous smile and said lightly, "It's been a while, Miss Mo."
Sophie quickly glanced at Cici before letting go, regaining her composure as the Mo Family's eldest daughter. She nodded to Charles Yin and said, "Mr. Yin, you must have a short memory. We just met last month, you know. We worked together on the new port in S City, and even cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony."
Charles Yin gave a gentle smile. "That's right, we did just meet last month. But seeing you now, Miss Mo, it feels like three years have passed. Three years ago, on the ship, you protected Cici. I never got the chance to thank you properly. I wonder if it's too late to say thank you today?"
Sophie's face changed dramatically!!
Charles Yin's words carried a hidden meaning.
As the Mo Family's eldest daughter, Sophie had long been immersed in the business world alongside Max Mo, so she couldn't possibly miss the implication.
But she could only play dumb for now.
"There's no need to thank someone for protecting their own friend," Sophie replied immediately. "Mr. Yin, you really do know how to joke."
"Yes, as friends, that's understandable. My wife being best friends with the Mo Family's eldest daughter is a stroke of luck for the Yin Family." Charles Yin's eyes narrowed slightly, his charm masking a cold undertone.
"Mr. Yin, have you forgotten the agreement signed three years ago? You and Cici..." Sophie paused, then changed her tone. "Mr. Yin, you're not the type to play dirty behind the scenes, are you? Fair competition—is that acceptable?"
Charles Yin smirked. "Are you trying to buy your brother more time? It's pointless."
"Who wins in the end is still uncertain. You're a bit too confident, Mr. Yin." Sophie's smile remained faint, always the seemingly delicate but actually strong lady of the house. "The Mo Family may not be as wealthy as the Yin Family, but in China, we're not so easily shaken. The Yun-Mo Family Pact isn't something you can erase with a single sentence, don't you think?"
Charles Yin suddenly turned to his assistant, A, and said, "No wonder Julian King lost. With such a sharp-tongued fiancée, it's hard to make a move."
Assistant A immediately replied respectfully, "I heard Mr. King is in London right now."
Sophie's face changed again when she heard this!
"In that case, go invite Mr. King to join us. As a British nobleman, he really should come and take a look around," Charles Yin said immediately.
Sophie looked extremely nervous, as if she couldn't stand to stay here another second.
Sophie quickly looked up and said, "Since you have other matters, Mr. Yin, I'll take my leave. I..."
Before Sophie could finish, a gentle voice drifted over from behind them: "How could I dare let Mr. Yin extend an invitation? I heard you were here, so I hurried over myself. I hope you don't mind, Mr. Yin."
Cici saw Sophie's body stiffen, her face turning pale!
Cici was puzzled when a waft of perfume drifted by. She turned around and saw a man in a bright red tailored suit, a white rose in his pocket, and strikingly attractive eyes approaching with a cloud of fragrance.
Seeing this man, Sophie instinctively turned away, wishing she could disappear into the ground!
What a small world!
Charles Yin saw the newcomer and immediately smiled. "Mr. King, how have you been?"
"Thanks for asking. But I didn't lose, you know!" The man laughed flamboyantly, his scent so strong Cici almost mistook him for a drag queen.
He was undeniably attractive—tall and slender, his tailored suit looked almost strapped to a stick.
It made him look even more unnaturally thin.
His skin was pale and delicate, clearly well cared for.
His features were refined, and those attractive eyes sparkled.
As Cici sized up the man, he was also sizing her up.
"I've got things to do. I'm leaving." Sophie couldn't bear to stay another moment and turned to go.
Julian King darted forward, blocking Sophie's way, his attractive eyes filled with sorrow. "You leave as soon as I arrive—are you deliberately avoiding me?"
Sophie nearly choked on her own frustration: Of course you know, why even ask?
"Sophie, you've been avoiding me for over twenty years. When are you going to marry me?" Julian King kept flirting with her.
Sophie's face turned completely dark.
Marry him?
She'd been running from this marriage for years!
She had made sure the man she'd been betrothed to since childhood wasn't in England before coming!
Who could've guessed she'd get caught right here!
At this moment, Cici seemed more like an outsider, just standing there in a daze.
Charles Yin naturally stepped forward, took Cici's hand, and whispered, "Alright, let's not interrupt the engaged couple."
Engaged couple...
Sophie watched helplessly as Cici was led away by Charles Yin. She couldn't say a word.
She could barely protect herself right now!
As Charles Yin passed by Julian King, Julian spoke quickly and quietly: "Thank you, Mr. Yin. I owe you one."
"Good luck." Charles Yin replied just as quickly, taking Cici's hand and leaving in haste.
Once everyone else had left, Julian King looked down at Sophie. "Sophie, how much longer are you going to keep hiding from me?"
"Didn't I tell you? I'm not marrying you! Our engagement doesn't count." Sophie snapped back.
The man she liked could never be this effeminate!
At the very least, he should be gentle, mature, and dignified—like her brother.
But look at this man—drenched in perfume, always showing off like a peacock wherever he went.
Whoever wants him can have him—she definitely wasn't going to marry a guy like that!
"Sophie, saying that really hurts my feelings." Julian King smiled softly, glancing at the passing crowd. Many people were watching from afar.
After all, when so many people had gathered together earlier, they were quite the spectacle!
With so many handsome men and beautiful women in one spot, it was hard not to draw attention.
Not wanting to be the center of a joke, Sophie turned to leave. "Let's talk somewhere else."
With that, Sophie turned and walked away.
Julian King watched Sophie's graceful figure leave. Standing there, his eyes flickered—no one knew what he was thinking.
Still, he didn't linger long and soon followed after Sophie, leaving the venue together.
Sophie didn't go far—she led Julian King straight to her car.
No place was safer or more private than her own car.
Julian King seemed to agree.
As soon as they got in, Sophie got straight to the point: "Tell me, what will it take for you to let me go? I told you last time, that so-called engagement was just a joke. Our families never even exchanged engagement tokens—it was just the parents joking around. How are we even considered an engaged couple?"
"Engagement token..." Julian King pressed his slender, pale fingers to his chin, looking as effeminate as ever. After a moment, he took off the necklace around his neck and handed it to Sophie. "Here, this will be our engagement token. It's my ID tag—if you have it, you can do whatever you want with any company under my family's name."
"Enough!" Sophie shoved the tag back at Julian King. "You're not a kid anymore—can you stop being so childish? You're not my type. We're not compatible!"
"Then what type do you like? Can't I change for you?" Julian King looked hurt by Sophie's rejection.
"Just not your type," Sophie gritted out. "I don't know how you found out I was in London, but from now on, don't follow me!"