Chapter 6
Sophie still felt a bit embarrassed, her breathing becoming rapid, her lower abdomen rising and falling with each breath.
Her stomach was flat and firm, the black underwear creating a stark contrast against her skin tone, her long, well-proportioned legs creating a strong visual impact against the gray sheets.
She had a great figure. He'd noticed that before.
It was just more fully revealed today, more obvious.
The delicate sensation from holding her earlier now made his fingertips tingle with warmth.
Matthew swallowed lightly, bent down to pull off her other pant leg, slipped the loose pants on, and pulled them up to her waist.
His fingertips lightly brushed her skin, and he felt the touched area tremble and tense slightly.
His gaze swept across her face, fair skin with a pink flush, her eyes somewhat uncomfortable.
Matthew pulled the blanket back over her, then turned around just as someone knocked on the door.
"Come in."
Matthew's private doctor walked in, first glancing at Matthew.
"She took a fall. See how serious it is." Matthew indicated with his eyes.
The doctor gave Sophie a simple examination, pressing a few areas, and confirmed it was just a pulled muscle that would be fine with some stretching.
The doctor noticed Sophie's breathing wasn't quite normal. "You have a bit of a cold."
"Yeah."
"Are you trying to get pregnant?"
Mrs. Moore, who had come in with the doctor, raised her eyebrows slightly, very interested in this question.
Before Matthew could speak, Sophie nodded. "Yes."
The doctor couldn't help but glance at Matthew again.
Matthew stared at Sophie, the warning in his eyes meaningful.
She really would say anything.
Sophie lowered her eyelids. Wasn't she saying this for Mrs. Moore to hear?
After the doctor gave his instructions, he went downstairs with Mrs. Moore, leaving only Matthew and Sophie in the room again.
Because of that word, Sophie felt a bit awkward facing Matthew.
Surprisingly, Matthew didn't settle accounts with her and went to the study next door.
After a while, Joshua knocked and came in.
"Mr. Moore, I've brought what you asked for."
Joshua handed Matthew a document. "The agreement drafted according to your instructions."
Matthew took it, glanced at it, then walked into the bedroom and handed it to Sophie.
"An agreement. If you want this marriage, sign it."
Sophie hadn't expected him to move so fast.
She flipped through it, looking at the last line, and asked, "What if, I'm just saying what if, you fall in love with me? Would this agreement still count?"
"That's not a possibility." Matthew answered without hesitation.
Sophie hadn't expected him to say anything different anyway.
This kind of agreement was just to make him feel better. It had no effect on her at all.
"Nothing's absolute."
Matthew looked at her sideways, his silence seeming to say a thousand words.
None of them good, of course.
Sophie knew what he was thinking. She took the pen and signed her name, took a photo with her phone for her records, then handed it back to him.
Her straightforwardness made Matthew look at her again. Sometimes, she really knew when to cooperate.
"From now on, find your own way to get out of going back to the Moore Mansion."
"What did the agreement say?" Emily asked curiously.
Sophie sat cross-legged on the sofa wrapped in a blanket, blowing her nose. "A lot of things, but a few key points. First, no physical contact with him."
Emily laughed. "He thinks you're some kind of predator."
Sophie sniffled. "With that face and body of his, I do have the urge to be one."
"...What else?"
"Second, if we run into each other outside, act like we don't know each other."
"He really doesn't want to marry you."
"Third, don't tell anyone about our relationship."
"The most important one is, I can't develop feelings for him."
Emily sighed. "Does he hate you, or does he hate marriage?"
Sophie shrugged. "Probably both. Probably mainly me though."
"It's all about guarding against you. So what do you get out of this? There's no benefit for you at all."
Facebook had a notification. Sophie clicked on it, raising her eyebrows. "How is there no benefit? I don't have to serve in-laws, don't have to take care of a husband, and I get hundreds of thousands in spending money every month. Pretty good deal."
"Are you serious? When he dies, people will talk about you."
"Who doesn't die? It's just a matter of sooner or later." Sophie didn't care. "Besides, I wasn't planning to marry again anyway."
Emily frowned. "I think you're just being careless because you don't believe in love anymore."
"Stop thinking about love all day." Sophie corrected her. "I'm not being careless. You don't know how handsome he is. He doesn't look sick at all. Maybe he won't die. Then I'll have hit the jackpot."
Emily couldn't laugh.
She felt that Sophie's marriage wasn't willing, and it wasn't for money either.
It was like she was degrading herself.
Sophie's phone rang.
She saw the caller ID and frowned slightly.
She answered the call with a light tone and gentle attitude.
After ending the call, she snorted softly. "The benefits of being married are about to show themselves."
Emily looked puzzled. "What benefits?"
"To ward off unwanted romantic attention."
Sophie had applied to headquarters to transfer back to Silverlight City for Harold, but she hadn't expected that Nicholas Jackson, the son of a leader who was interested in her, had also transferred to Silverlight City.
Tonight he'd even organized a gathering for everyone in the department.
Sophie hadn't reported to the office yet since coming back, but everyone often ran into each other at the same exhibitions, so people from the branch office all knew her.
It would look bad not to go to this gathering.
On the way to the gathering, Emily suddenly thought of a question.
"What happens if you violate the agreement?"
For the most important clause, Matthew had indeed set a punishment.
Violate the agreement, and she'd have to squat and hop in the city center while barking like a dog.
It was hard to imagine someone like Matthew coming up with such an undignified punishment, which showed just how much he disliked her.
It was a childish punishment, but it had strong binding power for both him and her.
Of course, it was mainly to guard against her.
Sophie got out of the car, pulled her coat tight, and walked into the restaurant.
The private room door was open, filled with laughter and chatter inside.
The person facing the door suddenly stopped and called out to her, "Sophie, come quick, we were waiting for you."
Everyone turned to look at Sophie.
Sophie smiled at them openly. "Sorry I'm late. I was sleeping at home with a cold and overslept."
"Are you okay?" Nicholas looked concerned.
Sophie shook her head. "Just a small cold, I'm fine."
They were all familiar faces, people she'd worked with before, and everyone was very warm when they met.
The fact that Nicholas liked Sophie had spread from headquarters to the branch office, and everyone at this gathering knew what was up.
The tactful ones had left the seat next to Nicholas empty. Sophie sat down and chatted with everyone.
They were all company employees with endless things to talk about.
No one let the conversation lag, the atmosphere was harmonious and cheerful.
After dinner, while everyone was still chatting, Nicholas left the private room, and after a while he came back in holding a bouquet of champagne roses.
Everyone smiled with pursed lips, looking at Sophie with knowing glances.
Sophie wasn't stupid. She could tell what was happening at a glance.
In front of so many people, without a good reason to refuse Nicholas, it would be awkward to work together afterward.
The private room door was open, and people passing by would stop to look, free entertainment, why not watch?
"Sophie, I heard you're single again. Can you give me a chance to love you?" Nicholas stood in front of Sophie, boldly confessing his feelings.
Everyone started cheering, though they didn't pressure Sophie to agree.
Sophie stood up. Facing Nicholas's pursuit, she was very honest.
"I'm sorry. I'm not single again. I'm already married."