Chapter 383

The moment Sophia stepped into the office, Julian rushed forward with an eager smile. "Sophia! Where did your business trip take you this week? You didn't even tell me! I came down to have lunch with you a few days ago, only to find out you were gone. So? Which city did you visit?"

His playful grin widened. "Did you bring me back a souvenir?"

Sophia couldn't help but soften at his genuine enthusiasm.

She sighed apologetically. "Sorry, I forgot..."

Julian waved it off with a laugh. "Oh, don’t worry about it! I was just teasing. You just started working here—how could you afford souvenirs?"

"If Sophia can’t, I can." Ethan suddenly cut in, his deep voice smooth. "Since she forgot, let me make it up to you. How about dinner tonight? My treat."

"Yes!" Julian agreed instantly, his eyes sparkling.

Dinner with Mr. Blackwood?

Every woman in the company would kill for this opportunity. Julian had never even dared to dream of it—yet here it was, handed to him on a silver platter.

Of course, he knew the real target of Ethan’s invitation was Sophia.

Julian nudged her with an expectant look.

Sophia didn’t hesitate. "Sorry. I’m busy."

Silence.

Julian blinked. Ethan stiffened. Even their colleagues froze mid-step.

After her blunt refusal, Sophia turned to the design director. "Director, can we finalize my payment? I’d like to leave as soon as possible."

The director, suddenly desperate to keep her, stammered, "O-Of course! But Sophia, you’re incredibly talented. We’d love for you to stay—"

"Why are you taking your payment and leaving?" Ethan’s voice turned sharp. "Didn’t you agree to work here? If it’s about avoiding me, I can stay out of your way. But don’t throw away this job."

The women nearby nearly swooned.

Mr. Blackwood—begging?

Sophia remained unmoved. "I didn’t quit. I was fired."

"Who dared fire you?" Ethan’s tone turned dangerous. "Point them out. They’re gone by sundown."

Sophia exhaled.

"Go upstairs," Ethan ordered. "I’ll handle this."

With that, he strode toward the elevators, leaving the office in stunned silence.

The director seized the moment. "Sophia, please reconsider."

Sophia wasn’t one for games. If the terms were fair, she’d stay. Jobs weren’t easy to come by.

"Let’s discuss it upstairs," she finally said.

Julian clung to her arm as they entered the elevator, whispering excitedly, "Sophia, Mr. Blackwood is unreal. How can you just ignore him?"

"That arrogant playboy? Handsome?" Sophia scoffed.

Julian gaped. "Do you want to be murdered by every woman here?"

Sophia frowned. "What?"

Julian shook his head, laughing. "Never mind. But Sophia—you’re the first person to ever reject him. And the first he’s ever personally invited to dinner. And yet… here we are."

She smirked. "Consider it my gift to the female population."

Julian giggled. "Well, if you’re not going, neither am I. A goddess must maintain her standards!"

Then, sotto voce: "Though if I could get Mr. Blackwood under my thumb…"

Sophia snorted. "Dream on."

"Hey, a girl can fantasize!"

They parted ways at the design department, Julian calling after her, "Stay, okay? I like working with you."

Sophia nodded. "I’ll think about it."

Money was money, after all.

Inside the director’s office, the woman was practically fawning. "Sophia, please, sit! I’ve been meaning to ease you into projects slowly, but after today—"

"Director," Sophia cut in. "My 100,000?"

She needed that money. Needed to visit her mother’s grave.

The director hesitated. "What if… you stay, and we deduct 8,000 monthly from Linda’s salary? Within a year, you’ll have it all."

Sophia studied her. "You really want me here?"

"Absolutely." The director leaned forward. "Your skills are exceptional. Stay, and I’ll raise your salary by 5,000."

Sophia’s lips curved.

Maybe this job was worth keeping.