Mrs. Winston's eyes gleamed with sudden understanding.
She turned to Frederick Blanchet with feigned casualness.
"Mr. Blanchet, I've heard you've never lacked female admirers all these years."
"Yet you remain single. Your standards must be exceptionally high."
Her sidelong glance at Sophia Sullivan didn't go unnoticed.
The implication was crystal clear.
Frederick's expression turned icy.
"Mrs. Winston, think before you speak."
The temperature around him seemed to drop instantly.
Mrs. Winston shivered under his gaze.
"I—I was merely making conversation..."
Frederick dismissed the mother-in-law duo with indifference.
Turning to Sophia, his demeanor shifted to solemn respect.
"Miss Sullivan, those rumors are baseless."
He couldn't allow her to misunderstand.
Murmurs began circulating among the onlookers.
"Mr. Blanchet seems particularly attentive to Miss Sullivan."
"Who wouldn't make exceptions for such beauty?"
"But why would someone so young command his respect?"
"..."
Ethan Sullivan's eyes darkened.
"One more word," his quiet voice carried lethal weight, "and try me."
The crowd fell silent instantly.
Everyone knew the Sullivan Group CEO's ruthless reputation.
Sophia gently clasped his hand.
Ethan looked down at their intertwined fingers.
The silent gesture spoke volumes.
The whispers ceased abruptly.
"It seems everyone's curious about Deer Spring Mountain's owner."
Sophia's calm gaze swept across the crowd.
Her tone was measured yet carried undeniable authority.
"Besides the ring, there's also a villa as proof."
A young man nearby suddenly spoke up.
"That's true! There is an off-limits villa at Deer Spring Mountain."
His ears turned pink when he glanced at Sophia.
Skeptical voices arose immediately.
"Are you just siding with her because she's pretty?"
Before he could retort, an arctic glare silenced him.
"I'm a VIP member here!" he hurriedly explained. "That villa sits at the center of the exclusive zone!"
This carried some credibility.
Deer Spring Mountain's VIP membership wasn't easily obtained.
Frederick recalled the detail.
"Indeed. Would you like to visit now, Miss Sullivan?"
Sophia shook her head.
"Notify other members. Temporary access is granted today."
Frederick responded promptly. "Understood."
She turned to Ethan, her voice softening.
"There's something inside I want to give you."
Ethan's lips curved at her secretive tone.
"Alright."
He never pressed about her mysteries.
That was their unspoken understanding.
Excitement buzzed through the crowd.
The elusive VIP zone would finally be revealed.
Even if Sophia's claim was doubtful, this opportunity was priceless.
Chloe Evans smirked inwardly.
She refused to believe Sophia owned Deer Spring Mountain.
To her, this was clearly an elaborate charade between Sophia and Frederick.
"Mother, we should watch closely later."
Mrs. Winston wore matching disdain.
"Let's see what tricks she has up her sleeve."