Chapter 105
The tea's fragrance drifted through the air in the elegant setting.
The conversation between Sawyer and Elizabeth appeared polite on the surface, but was actually full of probing.
Samantha remained distracted the whole time, her eyes hotly following Sawyer, trying to find opportunities to jump in and show off.
When the server came forward again to refill their water, Sawyer casually pushed his cup—which he'd only sipped from once—forward, saying gently to the server, "Could you get me a fresh cup? This one's gotten a bit cold."
His movement was natural, but his gaze subtly swept over the cup of tea in front of Elizabeth that she'd just taken a sip from.
Elizabeth seemed completely oblivious, and even following Sawyer's lead, gently pushed her own cup forward as well, saying lightly, "Could you change mine too, please? Thank you."
Her movement was small, her fingertips avoiding the obvious lip mark on the rim, but this couldn't prevent her fingerprints from being left on the glass.
A quick flash of light passed through Sawyer's eyes.
Was this an unconscious action, or deliberate cooperation?
Either way, it worked in his favor.
He immediately gestured to the server, "Please bring Ms. Windsor some warm water."
The server respectfully took both cups away.
Sawyer's trusted butler, Justin, had been waiting in the tea room service area for some time—he would make sure these two cups were properly handled and sent to Sawyer's designated laboratory.
Watching Sawyer be so attentive and thoughtful toward Elizabeth, Samantha felt both sour and jealous. She quickly pushed her own barely-touched cup forward, saying coquettishly, "Mr. Scott, mine's cold too! I'd like a fresh one as well!"
Sawyer glanced at her, his smile still elegant but carrying a barely noticeable distance, "Of course, Ms. Smith, please do."
He nodded slightly to the server, who took Samantha's cup away as well.
Samantha was instantly overjoyed, feeling that Sawyer was treating her specially too.
As the conversation neared its end, Sawyer left his private contact information.
Seeing this, Samantha immediately pulled out her phone, looking at Sawyer eagerly, "Mr. Scott, could I add your contact too? Maybe we could hang out together sometime!"
Sawyer glanced at Elizabeth. Seeing that she had no reaction, he politely took out his phone and added Samantha as a friend on their social media accounts.
Samantha clutched her phone like she'd obtained a rare treasure, her face blooming with smiles.
Elizabeth remained calm throughout, as if completely indifferent to it all.
Leaving the tea room and getting in the car, Samantha was still immersed in excitement, repeatedly looking at Sawyer's profile picture and the few polite greetings on her phone.
Elizabeth glanced at her and suddenly spoke, "Mr. Scott does seem like a good choice. Family background, ability, and appearance—all perfect. If you're interested in him, Ms. Smith, you might want to be more proactive. Men like Mr. Scott won't lack admirers—opportunities are fleeting."
Samantha's head shot up, looking at Elizabeth in disbelief.
This woman, who'd always been cold or even hostile toward her, was actually encouraging her to pursue Sawyer?
Had she lost her mind?
But thinking it over, Samantha found it reasonable.
Elizabeth was already Jacob's fiancée, so naturally, she wouldn't want Samantha's attention focused too much on Jacob.
Encouraging her to pursue Sawyer now would both get rid of this nuisance and do her a favor—maybe even use her to curry favor with someone powerful like Sawyer.
"Really? You think I have a chance?" Samantha's eyes lit up, instantly moving Elizabeth into the ally camp, her previous resentment fading considerably.
"Depends on how you handle it." Elizabeth smiled faintly, saying no more.
Letting Samantha pester Sawyer would both distract his attention and create some small trouble for him, while giving Samantha something to do so she'd stop bothering her—killing two birds with one stone.
The car pulled out of the hotel's underground parking and had just turned onto the main road when Elizabeth's gaze was drawn to a figure at the entrance of a luxury boutique on the street.
Lilith Moretti.
She was just walking out of the store, followed by two bodyguards, carrying several new shopping bags, her face wearing its usual arrogance.
She also saw the Smith family's car, and Samantha and Elizabeth sitting inside.
Lilith's expression instantly darkened.
That idiot Samantha—since that incident last time, she hadn't contacted her at all, and now she was hanging around with that bitch Elizabeth?
And why were they coming from this hotel?
She walked straight to the car in her heels and tapped on the window.
Seeing Lilith, Samantha's face went pale, instinctively shrinking back into the car, clearly still wary of Jacob's warning.
But she didn't want to seem too cowardly in front of Elizabeth, so she reluctantly lowered the window and forced out a smile, "Lilith, what a coincidence."
"Coincidence?" Lilith sneered, her gaze cutting across Samantha like a knife before fixing on the expressionless Elizabeth in the passenger seat. "Samantha, you've been so busy lately, haven't you? Busy sucking up to Elizabeth, you've forgotten your old friends?"
Samantha was speechless, looking at Elizabeth in panic.
Elizabeth lowered her window, looking calmly at Lilith, "Ms. Moretti, can I help you?"
"Can't I just say hello?" Lilith said sarcastically. "But Ms. Windsor, you're in such good spirits—just coming from a hotel? Who were you meeting? Better not let Mr. Smith find out and get heartbroken."
Just as she finished speaking, her eyes suddenly caught sight of Sawyer walking out of the hotel entrance with Justin, apparently preparing to leave.
Sawyer's outstanding mixed-race appearance and unique bearing made him stand out even in a crowd.
Lilith didn't know Sawyer, but seeing him come out of the hotel Elizabeth had just left, and connecting it with Elizabeth and Samantha coming from the hotel's direction, she immediately jumped to the conclusion—this must be the lover Elizabeth was secretly meeting behind Jacob's back! And she'd caught them!
Jealousy and rage instantly clouded Lilith's mind.
She already hated Elizabeth to the bone, and Jacob's protection of Elizabeth had driven her even crazier.
Now that she'd caught evidence, how could she let it go?
"Well, well! Elizabeth! You really are a shameless woman!"
Lilith shrieked, her eyes full of excitement and satisfaction. "Coming out of a hotel tryst in broad daylight? Using Samantha as cover? Elizabeth, you're really something! Mr. Smith only postponed the wedding a few days ago, and you can't wait to find some random man? What, can't Mr. Smith satisfy you, or do you think you've found a better sugar daddy?"
Her words were vicious and utterly humiliating. She didn't look at Sawyer much.
In her view, he was just some random man Elizabeth had picked up somewhere, not worth her attention—humiliating Elizabeth was the main point.
Hearing this, Samantha's face turned pale and flushed alternately.
On one hand, she was afraid Lilith's loose tongue would implicate her, since she'd also just come from the hotel. On the other hand, hearing Lilith disparage Sawyer like this, she became both anxious and angry, unable to help sticking her head out and shouting, "Lilith! What are you talking about! Stop it! Mr. Scott, he's not just anyone!"