The CEO's Empathy Pregnancy Pains

Seeing Dean make such a big fuss, Sophia was skeptical.

She wasn't blind. The woman earlier was clearly older, with a fierce look in her eyes, undoubtedly someone of importance. But Sophia didn't believe she could be easily intimidated by her.

After all, she had been navigating the ups and downs of Emerald City for years.

Even if she hadn't made a big name for herself, she couldn't be scared off so easily, especially not by Dean.

Sophia suddenly felt she needed to stand her ground.

She couldn't let Dean think she was easy to push around.

Releasing Dean's arm, Sophia raised an eyebrow, lifted her chin, and adopted a

haughty stance. Before she could speak, Dean was already impatient.

"What are you waiting for? Hurry up and leave!" Dean wasn't afraid of anything now, not even if Sophia broke up with him.

He just couldn't stand Aunt Celeste's endless nagging anymore.

But Sophia wasn't about to let him off the hook so easily.

She knew Dean was desperate to get rid of her, to clear up their relationship.

But it wasn't going to be that simple.

Even playboys have to pay a price.

Michael had to, and now Dean would too.noveldrama

With that thought, Sophia raised her hand and then beckoned Dean with her finger, hinting at her intentions.

"What do you want?" Dean had no idea what Sophia was thinking. He frowned and asked hurriedly.

Sophia beckoned again, her slender hand showing a few veins, looking eerie.

At that moment, Sophia flashed a sweet smile at him.

It was downright creepy.

Dean didn't think it was flirtatious. It just made him feel suffocated, desperate to escape.

"You want money? How much?"

Seeing Dean finally understand, Sophia didn't waste words and said directly, "Seven hundred thousand dollars."

"Seven hundred thousand dollars?"

The Lancaster family was wealthy, but seven hundred thousand dollars was about a week's worth of Dean's living expenses.

Besides, he wasn't completely financially independent yet and often relied on Archibald for support.

Sophia was definitely asking for a lot.

Seeing Dean's shock, Sophia remained calm. After all, she had him right where she wanted.

Sophia leaned closer to Dean. To passersby, they seemed intimately close. Dean stepped back several times.

If you're loving the book, nel5s.com is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you!

"Alright, alright, seven hundred thousand dollars it is! I'll give it to you!"

Seeing Dean surrender, Sophia felt a moment of regret. She could have asked for

more.

Facing this man, she still felt a bit soft-hearted.

"That's better, Dean. I didn't want to do this, but you made me disappear for days. I need to ensure my basic needs, right? Just think of it as funding my little getaway!" Sophia was good at making things sound reasonable.

But Dean was tired of her excuses. It was all nonsense to him.

Right there, Dean transferred the money to Sophia.

Sophia, in turn, did everything Dean asked, which included not showing up for the next few days, giving him the hotel key card, and deleting and blocking each other's phone numbers.

It was as if Sophia had never existed in Dean's world.

With that, Dean breathed a sigh of relief and walked into the studio, heading towards Celeste.

At that moment, Archibald was showing Celeste around the studio's various exhibits.

Though they couldn't compare to the luxurious jewelry of JM Jewelry Company, Archibald had built this studio from scratch in Everglade City, showcasing his taste and achievements.

Celeste praised the jewelry repeatedly until Dean reappeared, causing her smile to fade. At that moment, even Archibald knew Celeste was about to get angry.

Dean was the studio's manager, so Celeste wouldn't embarrass him in front of guests and staff.

If you're loving the book, nel5s.com is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you!

But once they got in the car, Archibald dismissed the driver and took the wheel himself. Dean sat in the back, ready for Celeste's stern lecture.

"Dean, tell me, what's your relationship with that woman?" Celeste's strong presence made Dean stutter and hesitate.

"Aunt Celeste, she likes me, but I never agreed to anything. Don't worry, I've sent her away. I don't like her at all. She's just dreaming. I would never be swayed by her!" Dean promised repeatedly, and Celeste wasn't entirely disbelieving.

But just by looking at that woman, Celeste could tell she wasn't an innocent and simply girl.

Moreover, the girl seemed to be dressed expensively, likely a daughter of some wealthy family. But she had no manners, no discipline. Luckily, this wasn't in Everglade City, or Celeste would have found out which family raised her so poorly!

"Alright, Dean, you're my nephew. I'll trust you this time, but don't let it happen again."

Celeste took Dean's hand, her words sincere but her expression stern. "Let me be clear, a woman like that will never be good enough for you. I don't know her background,

but as long as I'm alive, she'll never marry into the Lancaster family!

"Just consider her a passing phase in your life. Forget her! When we return to Everglade City, I'll introduce you to better marriage prospects."

Celeste's words went on and on.

But by the end, Dean couldn't hear any of it.

Was this his fate?

Career, marriage, even choosing a girlfriend, all dictated by his elders?

What would happen if he didn't listen?