Chapter 156: Amateur Theater

Chapter 156: Amateur Theater

A flash of embarrassment and irritation crossed his face as his thoughts were laid bare, and Oliver instinctively tried to avoid Clara's gaze.

However, Clara moved faster.

Taking a deep breath, she transformed her expression like a master performer, instantly replacing her venomous look with that familiar facade of gentle vulnerability and sweet dependence as she hurried out from behind the pillar.

With practiced ease, she slipped her arm through Oliver's, pressing her entire body against him in a territorial display of intimacy as she faced Sophia, her voice dripping with artificial sweetness as if they were the closest of friends.

"Sophia, what a coincidence! Getting some desserts too?"

Without waiting for an answer, she tilted her head up to gaze at Oliver with wide, seemingly innocent eyes, her tone so saccharine it could cause cavities, "Oliver, I was just thinking I should tell Sophia about our engagement party. Even though we had some unfortunate misunderstandings before, I genuinely hope you'll attend our engagement party, Sophia. After all..."

She deliberately paused, her gaze shifting to Sophia, a flash of malice glinting in her eyes, "You're Oliver's ex-wife, someone who witnessed our long courtship. You simply must come and give us your blessing, right, Oliver?"

She shook Oliver's arm forcefully, seeking his agreement.

Oliver's body tensed the moment she latched onto him. He could feel Sophia's ice-cold, penetrating stare that seemed to see through all his discomfort and pathetic pretense.

Looking at Clara's forced smile, then at Sophia's cool, transparent composure, a wave of suffocating irritation crashed over him.

He wanted to shake off Clara's arm, but given their current relationship status and the public setting, he couldn't make such a scene.

He could only stand there rigidly, his face ashen, lips moving but unable to voice any agreement.

Sophia observed their awkward, subtle interaction with detached amusement, finding the entire scene both absurd and tedious.

Watching Oliver's obvious reluctance yet inability to immediately object, and Clara's seemingly sweet but obviously territorial power play, she found it almost laughable.

She curved her lips into a cold smile, her gaze shifting between Oliver and Clara before speaking in a flat tone, "An engagement? It seems you two are planning to turn your lives into some kind of theater production?"

Sophia tilted her head slightly, her expression carrying an almost cruel clarity. "One party is clearly reluctant yet still playing along; the other is desperately trying to prove she's won while unable to capture even the male lead's genuine affection. What a poorly written script—lacking even the most basic authentic emotion, nothing but amateur acting and pathetic self-deception."

She paused, ignoring Oliver's suddenly darkening expression and Clara's instantly contorting features, elegantly picking up a napkin from a nearby table to dab at nonexistent dust on her fingertips, as if she'd just touched something unclean.

"As for attending the engagement party..."

Sophia raised her eyes, looking at them with the calm detachment of someone observing clowns, "No need, I have absolutely no interest in watching a farce with a predictable ending and such overacted performances. Please, carry on—don't let me interrupt your rehearsal."

With that, ignoring Oliver's livid expression and Clara's anger, she gracefully turned to leave.

However, after only two steps, a familiar tall figure blocked her path.

Henry had somehow finished his business conversations and now stood before her, holding an elegant small plate.

On it sat a delectable-looking tiramisu, rich with chocolate sauce but conspicuously free of any fruit preserves—exactly her favorite.

"Finished chatting?"

Henry offered her the plate, his voice low and gentle, as if the previous confrontation had never occurred. "I noticed you glancing over here several times and thought you might want this, so I had them make one specially without any fruit toppings."

Looking at this thoughtful dessert that perfectly suited her preferences and needs, then meeting Henry's deep, attentive gaze, Sophia felt her heart warm instantly.

The irritation caused by that ridiculous couple evaporated completely.

She accepted the plate and took a small spoonful, the silky sweetness blooming across her palate.

"How do you manage that?" she asked with an amused smile. "You were busy with business discussions, yet somehow you knew exactly what I wanted?"

Henry chuckled softly, naturally reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, his fingertips inadvertently brushing her delicate earlobe and sending a pleasant tingle through her.

He leaned in close, his voice a low murmur meant only for her ears, warm breath caressing her neck, "My attention has never truly left you."

His tone carried a subtle chill, clearly indicating that Oliver and Clara's performance hadn't escaped his notice.

Just then, a discordant voice rang out from nearby—not too loud, but just audible enough for the surrounding group to hear.

"Divorce really changes a person, doesn't it? The speed of finding a new sugar daddy is truly impressive. How long has it been? Already latched onto a new meal ticket—that's some efficiency right there."

The speaker was Tony Reyes, one of Oliver's friends from out of town with some family money, who always followed Oliver's lead. He was currently eyeing Sophia and Henry with a sleazy, provocative grin.

Having just arrived in the city, he was unaware of Henry's true status and assumed Oliver held the most power in the room.

His crude commentary was clearly meant to curry favor with Oliver.

However, Sophia suddenly laughed, her voice filled with undisguised mockery as she turned toward Tony, her eyes bright, "Mr. Reyes, that comment sounds more like you're mocking Oliver, doesn't it?"

Her gaze pointedly flicked toward Oliver, whose expression had grown even darker, "After all, when it comes to speed in finding new partners, Oliver, who had an affair while married, seems to be the real role model here. Thanks for reminding everyone of that particular history."