Don't Be a Tease, Mr. Blackwood

Chapter 122: Chapter 122: Please Me, and I Will Protect You

The bodyguards forced Yara Valentine’s head into a burlap sack as she struggled frantically.

Before her mouth was sealed, she yelled, "I’m a designer! A jewelry designer! Is Wynn Jade Jewelry hiring? Can you two bosses give me a job..." freewebnoveℓ.com

This was a bit she’d added herself. Damian Morgan hadn’t told her to do something so unnecessary, but the act was already underway, so he couldn’t very well stop her.

Listening to her endlessly begging for a job gave Damian Morgan a headache.

Thankfully, Vianne Kane ignored Yara Valentine’s pleas. Once she was certain he and Yara had no illicit relationship, she had the bodyguards tape Yara’s mouth shut, stuff her into the sack, and carry her out the same way they’d carried her in.

The crisis was averted. Damian Morgan finally let out a sigh of relief. He pressed an ice pack to his swollen, aching face and nose, his eyes fixed on Vianne Kane. With a long arm, he pulled the woman into his embrace.

"Vianne, will you believe me now?"

"I really didn’t betray you. It was Sophie Shaw who slandered me."

"From now on, no matter what happens, you have to trust me, okay?"

Vianne Kane nodded. Resting in Damian Morgan’s arms, she asked anxiously, "What about the trending topic online?"

"I’ve already told the PR team to suppress the hype. It won’t be long before this all blows over. As for Mom, we’ll explain everything to her properly when she gets back."

"Okay."

"Good girl."

Damian Morgan gently stroked the woman’s back. His voice was as gentle as the hatred in his eyes was intense.

He hated Sophie Shaw.

They had dated for three years, after all. He had never interfered with her relationship with Alaric Blackwood, yet Sophie wanted to destroy his marriage to Vianne Kane.

She knew this was his only chance to climb the social ladder after giving up the Heart of the Ocean. For Sophie to oppose him like this was simply detestable.

A seed of hatred took root deep within him, twisting his expression into an ever more menacing grimace.

—

"ACHOO—"

Sophie Shaw let out a huge sneeze.

She rubbed her slightly itchy nose and gave Nina Halloway, who was bundled up beside her, an embarrassed smile. "I suspect someone’s cursing my name behind my back."

"Could it be from sweating this afternoon while moving the cabinet and sofa? Maybe you caught a chill?"

"I’m in great shape. I don’t catch chills that easily."

Speaking of which, Sophie couldn’t help but remember that rainy night, waiting at the station for a perpetually late Damian Morgan, getting soaked for ages, chilled to the bone by the icy rain.

She hadn’t even gotten sick after being drenched like that. Today, she’d just stretched her muscles a bit.

Nina Halloway linked arms with her, and they weaved through the aisles of the supermarket. Whenever Nina saw something tasty or fun, she’d toss it into the shopping cart behind them.

Ethan Austin walked behind them, pushing the cart, uncomplaining and diligent.

Before long, the cart was full.

Sophie chose the hotpot base and dipping sauces, tossed them into the cart, and said to Ethan Austin, "Alright, we can go check out now."

She had messaged Anne earlier to plan a hotpot dinner for that evening. After leaving the Heart of the Ocean, she’d brought Nina Halloway to the supermarket to buy the hotpot base and various rolls of meat for dipping.

There was plenty of food at home, so they didn’t need to buy extra ingredients, but Nina Halloway hadn’t been to a supermarket in a long time and bought a huge pile of snacks.

She had decided to give herself a proper vacation. She had only accepted one job recently: brand ambassador for the Heart of the Ocean. After the shoot, she would have her agent announce that she was temporarily leaving the entertainment industry to rest and recuperate.

Following Sophie to the self-checkout counter, she watched with curiosity. It had been so long since she’d done her own shopping that she didn’t even know supermarkets had self-checkout now.

They were in a large supermarket where each section had an AI robot. If you couldn’t find what you wanted, you could ask the robot, and the little thing would lead you precisely to the right shelf. It was smart and convenient, but the increasing prevalence of AI also meant widespread job loss.

"Does your factory hire human workers?" Nina Halloway asked suddenly.

Sophie paused for a moment, then nodded.

"Can’t smart machines handle jewelry cutting perfectly?"

"Yes, machine production can meet the needs of consistency and mass production. But when it comes to uniqueness, artistry, cultural heritage, and creating heirloom-quality pieces for collections, human artisans are irreplaceable. A cold machine can’t replicate that."

"Which do you prefer?"

Sophie thought for a moment before replying, "As a company owner, a businesswoman, I have to choose machines for their convenience and mass-production capabilities. But as a jewelry enthusiast, I actually prefer purely handmade pieces. Every work carries the unique traces of its creator’s craft—the details, the spirit, the varied lines. They’re inimitable."

"If that’s the case, why do you still hire artisans?"

"There are always some designs that need to be crafted purely by hand. Like my mother’s work before she passed away. She would only allow her pieces to be meticulously polished and crafted by artisans. She never wanted her creations to become soulless products on an assembly line."

Nina Halloway pulled off her sunglasses and looked at her intently. "Sophie, have you ever thought about turning your company into a high-end luxury brand that’s purely handmade?"

"I have, but the target audience is too small. Not everyone can afford expensive luxury jewelry. However, we will have a line of high-end, purely handmade jewelry to serve that particular demographic."

The two of them continued to chat as they emptied the shopping cart.

Ethan Austin stood to the side like an emotionless robot, silently packing the scanned snacks into bags.

After paying, the three of them left the supermarket and headed for the parking lot.

Ethan Austin carried two large bags, walking behind Sophie Shaw and Nina Halloway.

His gaze kept drifting uncontrollably to Sophie. When he heard her say she was going to call Alaric Blackwood and ask if he wanted to join them for hotpot, Ethan rolled his eyes. He immediately quickened his pace to the car and tossed the two large bags of groceries and snacks into the trunk.

Once in the car, he started the engine.

Sophie dialed Alaric Blackwood’s number. Just as the car started moving, Alaric picked up.

The car lurched forward aggressively. Sophie felt a strong push back into her seat and glanced instinctively at Ethan Austin in the driver’s seat before asking Alaric, "We’re having hotpot at your sister’s place. Do you want to come?"

"I have plans with your cousin. We’re eating out tonight."

"Alright, then."

Sophie was about to hang up when she remembered the trending topic online and couldn’t help but ask, "Did you see the trending topic about Damian Morgan and Yara Valentine’s affair?"

"I saw it."

"Was that you?"

She had only sent the affair video she’d recorded to Anne and Alaric Blackwood. Since she and Anne hadn’t leaked it, the only person she could think of was Alaric.

"It was me."

’The expected answer.’

Sophie sounded a little helpless. "Why would you do that?"

"You two had a conflict at the furniture store today, didn’t you?"

"We had a bit of friction."

"He provoked you, so you hit back hard."

Sophie felt a little panicked. "Damian Morgan is the type to hold a grudge over the smallest thing. Now that this is public, he’ll definitely find a chance to get revenge on me." freewebnσvel.cøm

"Scared?"

"A little."

"Then learn how to please me, and I’ll protect you."