Chapter 343

Isn't it precious?

Act like it!

Sophia Montgomery couldn't care less.

She didn’t even glance at Julian Montgomery again, lowering her head to focus on her meal before uttering a single, indifferent, "Hmm."

That was all.

Her reaction amused Julian to no end.

"Mr. Montgomery!" Olivia Kensington snapped at Julian, her voice dripping with venom. "She’s nothing but a homewrecker! She destroyed my sister’s relationship with my brother-in-law! She’s the shameless woman who seduced him!"

Julian shot Olivia an impatient glare. "Why do you sound like a petty, screeching fishwife?"

Olivia’s jaw dropped. "Excuse me? What did you just call me?"

She couldn’t believe her ears.

Until today, she had been the darling of the company—pampered by shareholders, doted on by her relatives. Yet now, Julian had just publicly humiliated her, calling her a fishwife?

Her teeth clenched so hard they nearly cracked.

Julian’s expression twisted in disgust. "I don’t know your brother-in-law, but if we’re talking about playboys in Harborview City, he wouldn’t even rank in the top ten. And even if he did, his affairs are your family’s dirty laundry. Why air it here?"

He scoffed. "Unless you’ve caught Sophia and your brother-in-law in the act, shut your mouth. Otherwise, you’re just proving my point—fishwife."

Olivia’s face burned with humiliation. Tears welled up, her voice turning shrill. "How dare you—"

Julian cut her off with a dismissive wave. "You’re exhausting. Get out."

Olivia froze.

Across the table, Sophia Carter’s lips parted in shock, a piece of fishbone still dangling from them.

The entire cafeteria had gone silent.

Every employee, especially those from the design department, watched in stunned disbelief.

Julian Montgomery—the company’s most eligible bachelor—had just publicly humiliated the Kensington family’s spoiled princess… for a new hire?

God, this was delicious.

Olivia had bullied her way through the office for years, and no one dared to stand up to her. Now, watching her get torn down by the boss himself? Priceless.

Sophia Montgomery remained unfazed.

The boss’s whims weren’t her concern.

She just wanted to do her job. Nothing more.

As Olivia fled in tears, Sophia calmly resumed eating.

Sophia Carter, however, was impressed. What kind of woman did my cousin befriend? A goddess?

Then Julian spoke again. "Sophia, dinner tonight. There’s a new French place—authentic cuisine, excellent wine, live piano. You’ll love it."

Any other woman would’ve melted on the spot.

Sophia didn’t even look up. "No, thank you."

Julian blinked. "It’s your first day. You can’t possibly be busy."

She shrugged. "I am."

He smirked. "Then I’ll tell your manager to cancel your overtime. Problem solved. Now, no excuses."

Sophia set down her fork. "I don’t want to go."

Before Julian could react, she stood, tray in hand, and walked away.

Julian stared after her, then chuckled under his breath. "Fascinating."

The cafeteria erupted in silent shock.

Julian Montgomery—rejected? By a nobody?

And yet… he wasn’t angry.

The female employees, however, were fuming.

Among them, Linda Dawson seethed.

Five years at this company. Five years of meticulously maintaining her looks, her wardrobe, her charm—all to catch Julian’s eye.

And this plain, conservative new hire had just brushed him off like he was nothing?

Unacceptable.

As Linda stormed out, she spotted Sophia Montgomery walking down the hall, Sophia Carter clinging to her arm like an excited puppy.

"Sophia, you’re insane!" Sophia Carter gushed. "Do you have any idea who Julian Montgomery is?"

Sophia frowned. "Should I?"

Sophia Carter gasped. "He’s Julian Montgomery! The heir to Montgomery Designs! The most eligible bachelor in Harborview! Women fight for a chance to breathe the same air as him!"

Sophia’s lips twitched. "Is he more powerful than Ethan Blackwood?"

Sophia Carter nearly choked. "No one compares to Mr. Blackwood!"

"Then why should I care?" Sophia said flatly.

Sophia Carter gaped at her. "You—you refused him. Just like that?"

Sophia shrugged. "I don’t know him. Why would I go?"

Sophia Carter clutched her chest dramatically. "Do you know how many women would kill for that invitation?"

Sophia sighed.

Clearly, her new colleague was a hopeless romantic.

But Sophia had bigger things to worry about than Julian Montgomery’s ego.