Chapter 148: Kiss Me
When Michael arrived at the executive suite, Sophia's meeting was still in session. He headed straight to her office to wait.
Tony poured him a glass of lemon water and remarked casually, "Mr. Green, did you schedule time with Ms. Johnson today? Her afternoon's pretty packed."
Michael sighed inwardly. "It's fine. I just wanted to grab lunch with her."
She still had to eat, right? Even if it was just takeout in her office or a quick meal in the company cafeteria, he simply wanted to see Sophia.
But with the Johnson family still under investigation and every project under Vertex Innovations Group facing obstacles, Sophia had to be exhausted.
She always shouldered all the pressure herself, never letting her family or those close to her worry.
He'd come to be there for her, to give her a safe haven to lean on. Even if she just needed to vent and blow off steam, he wanted to be that person for her.
The moment the meeting ended and Tony mentioned Michael's arrival, Sophia didn't even bother gathering her files. She strode out of the conference room.
Tony quickly collected all the materials and followed behind her.
But just as he was about to enter the office, the woman in front of him suddenly stopped and glanced back at him. "Go do your thing."
Tony paused, got the hint, and turned to leave.
Only then did Sophia push the door open.
Sure enough, she'd barely stepped inside when she was pressed against the door.
"Baby." Michael's hands circled her slender waist as he bent down, burying his face in the crook of her neck. "I missed you."
Sophia wrapped her arms around him, pressing half her face against his shoulder. Breathing in his scent, her body relaxed. "I missed you, too."
Michael's hands slid down from her waist, hooking under her legs as he lifted her up.
Sophia shifted to loop her arms around his neck, letting herself be carried to the couch, where she ended up sitting in his lap.
She nestled against Michael's shoulder. His shoulders were broad, his arms strong and solid, able to completely enfold her.
Body heat transferred through the thin fabric of their clothes, their bodies pressed close, feeling each other's need and affection.
Sophia wasn't sure when she'd started loving being in Michael's arms, but being held by him always made her feel safe. She could stop thinking about everything and just relax, depending on him completely.
Michael affectionately ruffled her hair.
"You've been working so hard lately."
Sophia looked up at Michael for a few seconds, then leaned in and brushed her lips against his. "Kiss me."
Michael clearly froze for a moment, then his lips curved into a smile as he cradled the back of her head and kissed her.
Sophia still loved being in control, as always.
And he loved it.
...
"Dad, what is it?" Andrew sat in The Golden Spoon, sipping coffee, when he received a rare call from George.
"Have you even been looking for your mother? With Smith Group's resources, tracking down one person should be child's play, shouldn't it? It's been two days, and there's nothing! She's your mother!"
George's voice carried irritation. With Jane missing, all eyes were on him. Numerous old friends and business partners had been dropping by to offer their condolences, forcing him to stay home day after day, which meant he couldn't slip away to see his mistress.
Hearing George's agitated questioning, Andrew remained completely unaffected. "John's on it. You issued that blacklist order against the Johnson family in Smith Group's name and pissed off Vertex Innovations Group and Cloud Group. The Smith family's standing in Emerald City probably won't survive this."
George grew even angrier. "So what if they're pissed off? Smith Group has always been at the top of the food chain in Emerald City. Vertex Innovations Group and Cloud Group are just upstart companies—do you really think they can fight back against Smith Group's blacklist? Andrew, I'm warning you—the Smith Group is a legacy the Smith family has built over centuries. Don't let it be destroyed on your watch!"
Andrew pressed his lips together, a faint smile flickering in his eyes.
It was already destroyed on his watch. Destroyed by his own hands.
"Dad, do you know anyone named Maggie?" Andrew threw out the question. He'd always been curious about why Maggie harbored such deep hostility toward the Smith family.
"What Maggie? Never heard of her!" George snapped back impatiently, too lazy to even try to recall if he'd ever encountered anyone by that name.
He met countless women every day. After sleeping with them once, he never saw them again. How could he possibly remember their names?
Andrew's expression darkened, though his voice betrayed no displeasure. "If you haven't heard of her, forget it. Doesn't matter. I have a meeting—gotta go."
He turned to look at John, who was sprawled on the couch next to him, playing a mobile game.
"Found a lead?"
"Yeah. Got the hotel surveillance footage. Someone spotted the car that took Jane on Seventh Avenue, heading toward Blossom Creek District."
"Blossom Creek District..." Andrew's fingers drummed lightly as he thought for a moment. "Ray bought a villa in Blossom Creek District six months ago. Still hasn't renovated it."
The game quit mid-level. John sat up and lit a cigarette, white smoke drifting into the air and blurring his features.
"Send me the address."
Andrew's lips curved almost imperceptibly. With his left hand, he pulled out his phone and operated it one-handed, sending the address to John.
John took a deep drag, then crushed the half-smoked cigarette into the ashtray. Exhaling white smoke as he checked the address, the next second he rose to his feet and strode out on those long legs.
Andrew leaned slightly against the chair back. He knew perfectly well that John—the one Sophia hated most—cared about her more than anyone else.
Whether it was familial love or romantic love didn't matter. They didn't know how to identify or distinguish between those feelings. All they knew was that Sophia mattered.