Chapter 160
Chapter 160:
With the heavy trophy pressed against her chest, Sophie felt her knees unsteady, as if she could float out of the room any second. What she wanted most was to rush to the hotel and tell Adrian every detail of her unexpected win.
After exchanging a few words with finalists and staff who offered their congratulations, she was about to head off backstage when a steady, clear voice called from behind.
“Sophie, just a moment p>
Spinning around, Sophie spotted Carlos, his sharp and handsome features impossible to miss. He had managed to escape the crowd of fans and now stood just a short distance away, smiling lightly as his gaze fixed on her.
For a second, Sophie froze. Then her face brightened with a genuine smile. “Mr. Bradley p>
She rushed toward him, eyes shining. “I’ve been waiting for the right moment to thank you properly! Earlier onstage, and later with the reporters and fans all around you, I couldn’t even get close. I owe you everything. If you hadn’t stepped in and exposed the truth, I probably wouldn’t even be holding this trophy right now p>
Another small bow followed, her voice brimming with genuine gratitude.
With an easy smile, Carlos shook his head. “Forget the thanks. How about you join me for dinner instead? My treat p>
𝗡𝗲𝗐 𝘸𝖾𝘦𝗄𝗅𝘺 c𝘩𝘢𝘱𝗍𝖾𝗿𝘴 𝘰𝗇
Sophie’s mouth fell open in surprise. “What?” She never saw that coming.
Both hands shot up as she scrambled to explain, flustered. “That should be on me! You came through for me when it mattered most. Just give me your number, and the next time we meet, I’m taking you out for a proper feast p>
“Why wait? Let’s go tonight.” Carlos leaned in with ease, his tone light though his gaze remained steady.
A sudden flutter stirred in Sophie’s chest, making it hard to catch her breath.
The man standing before her was both striking and upright, and his help had been nothing short of invaluable. To any designer, the chance to connect with a world-renowned runway figure like him would be a dream come true. An invitation coming directly from him ought to feel like the luckiest break.
Instead, the offer carried a pushiness, as if he had already decided for both of them. Her gentle attempt to brush it aside hardly seemed to register with him. Agreeing to dine alone with someone she barely knew gnawed at her instincts. Deep down, the whole setup just didn’t feel right.
Then the thought flickered across her mind: could he actually be interested in her?
Thoughts tangled in her head until she forced out a small laugh to lighten the air. “You know, the finalists tonight were incredible, and the judges gave everything they had. What if I take the lead and throw something bigger? We could bring every contestant and every judge together for a proper celebration. A real party would make the night unforgettable. What do you think p>
She deliberately shifted the mood toward something loud and festive, turning his quiet dinner idea into a wide-open gathering.
For a moment, Carlos just blinked, surprised. Then a warm chuckle broke out of him, his shoulders shaking as though she had just delivered the punch line of a clever joke. “Soso, you’re still so adorable,” he remarked.