Chapter 328: Stealing Her Daughter's Fiancé's Heart? Mary Sue's Crisis is Growing (3)
In the afternoon, the gentle and elegant lady personally brought refreshments to visit Shia.
Watching his busy figure, too preoccupied to notice her arrival, Sophia felt even more gratified.
He truly loved her deeply.
All it took was a single request from her, and he put in so much effort.
A surge of superiority welled in her heart.
But her face showed something else entirely.
Sophia's expression softened into one of tenderness.
She set the food container down, picked up a delicate snack, and personally fed it to Shia.
"You really don't have to work this hard, you know?"
Shia was immersed in his brewing, momentarily startled by the unexpected treat and the gentle voice by his ear.
Looking up, he saw Soph ia's concerned gaze.
Perhaps due to surprise, his whole body froze.
Mechanically, he opened his mouth and accepted the treat Sophia fed him.
His cheeks moved as the sweet flavor spread through his mouth, and he finally came back to his senses.
A smile crept onto his face, full of astonished happiness.
"Why are you here?"
His voice, brimming with unconcealed joy, made his delight palpable.
Sophia slightly lowered her gaze, her delicate face blooming like a peach blossom.
"I heard from the maids that you were so engrossed in brewing that you forgot to eat lunch, so I brought some treats to check on you."
As she spoke, she shifted slightly, accentuating the exaggerated curve between her chest and waist.
With her slender fingers, she gracefully lifted another treat to Shia's lips.
She leaned forward slightly, her collar fastened securely, revealing only a hint of her snow-white neck.
Yet below her collarbone, a teardrop-shaped cutout added an enticing allure.
With her body leaning forward, the deep valley within the cutout was on full display before Shia's eyes.
Her long, shapely legs slightly bent, forming an utterly seductive "S" shape.
The tenderness and care in her gaze were enough to drown any young man.
Shia beamed with joy, unable to tear his eyes away from her.
Distracted while eating, he accidentally took her elegant fingers into his mouth, lightly licking them.
Sophia withdrew her hand, shooting him a playful yet reproachful look.
As if saying, "Young man, do you think I can't see through your little tricks?"
Shia lowered his gaze slightly, his smile tinged with shyness.
Under the warm glow, the beads of sweat on his forehead shimmered.
Sophia's voice was filled with concern.
"Look at you, you don't even know how to take care of yourself."
With a heart full of tenderness, she pulled out a handkerchief and gently wiped his sweat.
A delicate fragrance instantly filled the air.
The warmth of her soft fingertips passed through the handkerchief onto his skin, making Shia momentarily freeze.
As the sweat was wiped away, the sticky discomfort disappeared, leaving only a refreshing sensation.
Even his fatigue seemed to dissipate.
Her hands were soft, and she smelled divine.
The handkerchief was warm—was it from her fingers or...
He simply stared at Sophia in a daze.
The lingering fragrance intoxicated him, making him lightheaded, as if floating.
That scent... where exactly did she take out that handkerchief from!?
The scene played over and over in his mind.
The voluptuous beauty slightly lowered her gaze, her crimson-painted nails slipping through the cutout on her chest.
With a graceful movement, she retrieved a white silk handkerchief...
The rich fragrance filled his nose, mature and enchanting, dreamlike.
This warmth—was it from her hand or an absorbed body heat?
Even though he had stopped sweating, Shia's ears suddenly turned red.
The shy young man, despite his innocence, couldn't take his eyes off the mesmerizing beauty.
Sophia's gaze was filled with maternal affection, her actions meticulous and caring.
Shia finally took a sharp breath, belatedly realizing...
She was truly a master of seduction!
Sophia was quite pleased with Shia's reaction.
She carefully put away the handkerchief, sensing the boy's fleeting yet unmistakable gaze, feeling utterly satisfied with her charm.
Though she seemingly came just to show some concern, every move she made was laced with allure.
Even a single strand of hair was deliberately placed.
With a satisfied heart, Sophia took her leave, but not before giving Shia a final, reassuring glance.
"Remember, don't overwork yourself~. I believe in your ability to succeed~."
With that, she swayed her soft, serpentine waist and left.
The brewing room returned to silence until the evening when another guest arrived.
"Bang!"
The door swung open with force.
Then came the crisp, rapid clatter of high heels against the floor.
Shia's movements paused slightly.
Calmly finishing his current step, he then turned around.
A golden-haired young lady, dressed in a rose-red tasseled dress, appeared, her fair skin glowing like snow.
Her long, slender legs, wrapped in black silk, were crossed elegantly on the small sofa, making the space seem even more cramped.
Her slender waist, accentuated by the tailored dress, showcased her graceful curves.
The V-neckline, adorned with a delicate clavicle chain and a small ruby pendant, added a touch of youthful sensuality.
However, at this moment, her breathtaking face was filled with displeasure.
Sensing Shia's gaze, she let out a huff and turned her head away in annoyance.
"Why are you here?" Shia asked as he removed his gloves and approached Lilith.
Lilith pouted, her eyes slightly red.
"You're neglecting me!"
Her soft, pouty voice was brimming with grievance against her fiancé.
She looked pitiful, as if her beloved had abandoned her, trying to evoke sympathy.
"You haven't come to see me all day... not even once..."
Lilith sniffled, her teary eyes shimmering pitifully.
Her loyal dog hadn't paid her any attention for an entire day—how could this be allowed?
Absolutely unacceptable.
But Tia was right—she had to be more charming to keep his attention.
She had to make him feel sorry for her, to ache for her.
What man could resist such a pitiful, tearful young lady?
Lilith waited silently, confident in her skillful display of vulnerability.
Surely, he would fall into her grasp effortlessly.
But who was standing before her?
A grandmaster in the art of deception!
Playing the pitiful card? He could do that in his sleep.
Shia sighed helplessly.
His voice carried a lingering regret, as if burdened with sorrow.
His entire aura seemed dejected.
"Lilith, I want nothing more than to stay by your side all the time."
"But everything I am doing now is because of your mother."
"She demanded that I create an unprecedented wine as a test of my worth."
"It's not that I don't want to see you—I simply have no choice."
At the mention of her mother, Lilith froze.
What?
Did he just say... her mother asked him to make wine?
Shia nodded solemnly.
"To complete Aunt Sophia's task as quickly as possible, I had no choice but to work non-stop."
"I've been so busy I even forgot to eat today."
"It was only this afternoon that Aunt Sophia came to see me..."
Shia trailed off, as if realizing he had said too much.
He coughed lightly, his expression suddenly awkward.
Lilith instantly imagined her mother's bewitching presence, and an ominous feeling crept over her.