Chapter 337 Declaration of Sovereignty
Meeting Finnley's deep, dark eyes, Sophia's heart suddenly skipped a beat.
Her breath caught as she lifted her head to look at him seriously. "What did you say? I didn't catch that."
Finnley pressed his lips together in a slight smile, gazing back at her with equally intense and determined eyes.
He said, word by word: "I said, if you're willing to continue being my wife, I would be very happy."
More than just happy.
He wished all the beauty before him could become eternal, wanted to completely possess the Sophia standing in front of him.
Sophia's big eyes shifted, a hint of mischief flashing in them.
She pulled her hand from Finnley's palm and lifted her dress hem as she walked down.
Finnley heard her say: "Depends on how you perform."
The guests downstairs couldn't hear exactly what they were saying, but everyone could tell their feelings for each other were extraordinary.
Both Sophia and Finnley were very attractive, and with Sophia's careful preparation, her elegant light purple gauze dress made her look even more refined.
The scene of Sophia and Finnley together was incredibly beautiful, radiating sweetness that made people reluctant to disturb them.
Sophia took the first step down the stairs.
Finnley, standing on the staircase, stared at her back for a moment, then quickened his pace to catch up.
By the time they reached everyone, Finnley had somehow taken Sophia's hand again.
"Preston, Alaric."
Preston and Alaric's gazes fell simultaneously on their clasped hands, their eyes full of relief.
"Tonight is Sophia's birthday, you'd better perform well."
Alaric walked up to Finnley, raised his hand to pat his shoulder, his eyes full of amusement.
Finnley nodded slightly, then looked down at Sophia.
Sophia happened to look up at the same time, and their eyes met in mid-air, reflecting each other's image.
They smiled at each other, then looked away as if casually.
The smile in Finnley's eyes deepened as he bent down and whispered in her ear: "I've prepared a surprise for you."
"What surprise?"
Sophia's eyes lit up, looking at Finnley with anticipation.
This was the first time Finnley had given her a gift since his return.
What could it be?
Finnley smiled mysteriously, "There are too many guests now. I'll show you tonight when no one's around."
"What? How can you be so mysterious? If you're not going to show it now, why tell me about it?"
Sophia pouted in dissatisfaction, becoming even more curious about this birthday gift.
Growing up, Sophia had received many gifts, all from Robert and her senior brothers before.
Two years ago when Benjamin had his accident, her birthday hadn't arrived yet.
So she had never received a gift from Benjamin.
Seeing Sophia's curious expression, Finnley couldn't help but pinch her soft, fair cheek with his slender fingers.
So cute.
Even when she was angry and glaring at him, she looked so adorable.
Sophia's features seemed to hit every point of his aesthetic.
More precisely, as long as it was her, whatever she did, he found himself completely smitten.
Finnley had never imagined that someone like him, usually cold and distant, would encounter his own love.
His love for her came so fiercely that even he felt caught off guard.
Just then, a commotion suddenly came from outside the door.
Many guests outside began cheering.
"This person looks so familiar, have I seen him somewhere?"
"He's so handsome, how can someone this handsome exist?"
"Benjamin is more handsome, okay? Benjamin is the perfect example of restrained elegance!"
"They're not the same type, how can you compare them?"
...
"What's going on?" Preston looked toward the door, his brow furrowing slightly.
"I'll go check it out, you wait here." Alaric left those words and strode out with his long legs.
Soon, he returned, followed by quite a few people.
The man leading them appeared to be around thirty-four or thirty-five, with slightly long curly hair, a high nose bridge, and deep-set eyes.
A pair of dark blue eyes shimmered under the lights, with a gentle smile playing at the corners of his lips, making people unconsciously drawn to him.
Just as the girls outside were screaming, he was indeed a very handsome man.
He seemed casual, but actually exuded a sense of noble aloofness.
His every gesture revealed the elegant bearing that only royalty and nobility possessed.
"Wilford?" Sophia looked in surprise at the man slowly walking toward her.
"Ms. Brown, long time no see." Wilford stopped in front of Sophia, a smile rippling in his dark blue pupils.
"How... how did you get here?" Sophia frowned slightly.
"Of course I came to celebrate your birthday. You're really not fair - such a big event as your birthday, and you didn't even tell me."
Wilford complained with his words, but there was no displeasure on his face.
He smiled lightly, his eyes fixed on Sophia, slowly opening his arms, preparing to embrace her.
Seeing Wilford about to approach Sophia, Finnley instinctively reached out to wrap his arm around her slender, soft waist, pulling her into his embrace.
"Mr. Langley, please restrain yourself."
Wilford's hands fell empty, freezing for a moment. "And you are?"
"Sophia's husband, Benjamin." Finnley's thin lips curved into a faint smile as he extended his hand toward Wilford.
Wilford's gaze swept over Sophia and Finnley's faces, finally landing on the hand extended to him.
"Hello, Mr. White, I've heard so much about you." Wilford raised his hand and briefly shook Finnley's.
To outsiders, they were shaking hands.
Only they knew that their fingers barely touched before pulling back.
When they looked at each other, the pressure around them grew lower and lower, each competing with the other, neither willing to concede first.
Finnley stared coldly at Wilford before him, a sense of wariness rising in his heart.
As soon as Wilford appeared, he couldn't take his eyes off Sophia, and just now he even wanted to "put his hands on her."
Simply detestable!
Sophia sensed something was off about the atmosphere between them, cleared her throat lightly, and said: "Mr. Langley, please go inside and sit down. My husband and I need to go outside to greet the guests."
With that, she moved away the hand on her waist and instead interlaced their fingers.
She pulled him to go outside.
"Isn't this your birthday party? Don't you Novarians believe the birthday person is most important? Why do you still need to personally go outside to greet guests?"
Wilford asked in confusion.
Finnley paused, couldn't help but sneer: "Mr. Langley, it seems you don't understand Novarian culture well enough. My wife and I are one, so naturally we go out together."
As he spoke, he lifted their interlaced hands and waved them in front of Wilford.
Clearly asserting his claim.
Sophia thought his behavior was too childish, but hearing the words "husband and wife are one," a sweetness rose in her heart.
Yes, they were husband and wife.
No matter who it was, no one could separate them.