Chapter 439

"Jesus—" Sophia's hand jerked, nearly spilling her coffee. "Julian, are you insane?"

What kind of person lurks outside someone's door in the middle of the night?

The moment she opened the door, he sprang up like a ghost materializing in a horror movie, startling her so badly she almost screamed.

Julian stared at her with unsettling intensity.

Sophia shivered under his gaze.

"What the hell are you—"

"When did you change the passcode?"

Last time, his fingerprint worked. This time, it was rejected.

Sophia blinked. "Right after you left last time?"

"Reason?"

"Seriously? I live alone. Should I just let anyone know my door code? That'd be an open invitation. Do I look stupid to you?"

She'd studied all those online safety guides for single women.

Changing passcodes was basic protocol.

Julian narrowed his eyes. "Just for me, or all men?"

"Not everyone. I tell my mom and Evelyn whenever I change it. Why does it matter?"

"Why change it just because I knew it?"

Sophia gaped. "Who even are you? Are we close?"

Julian: "......So if other men knew the code..."

"Instant change." Was that even a question?

Julian's expression darkened.

At least she had some sense of self-preservation.

But in her eyes, he was no different from any other man.

Sophia crossed her arms. "You need something?"

Julian glanced past her. "It's raining."

"And?"

"Not inviting me in?"

Sophia stepped aside with a sigh.

He strode in like he owned the place, toeing off his shoes and collapsing onto her couch.

Anyone would think he lived here.

She rolled her eyes. "Spit it out. I'm busy."

Julian smirked. "Busy hosting afternoon tea? Or a sleepover?"

"Shit—" Sophia's eyes widened. "You stalked my socials?"

He'd quoted her post word for word. Mortifying.

Julian shrugged. "You seemed proud enough posting it. What's wrong with reading it aloud?"

"You came here at midnight just to recite my posts? That bored?"

"Yep. Bored enough to take you up on your offer. Where are the glasses? Let's toast."

Sophia stiffened. "What offer? You're delusional."

"That post was practically begging for company. So here I am."

"......"

She'd forgotten he was a player too.

Julian's lips curved. "Where do you want to do this? Living room? Or bedroom?"

Sophia scowled. "I might be looking to play, but not with you."

"Why not?"

"Mixing business with pleasure is messy. I don't screw around with work connections."

Julian: "We don't work together."

Sophia: "We're collaborating now."

He snapped his fingers. "Collaboration requires what? Teamwork."

"Your point?"

"Mom thinks we're fighting. She saw you having lunch with another man."

Sophia frowned. "Yesterday...that was just a coworker..."

"Male?"

She nodded.

"Great. Now she's definitely misreading things. To avoid complications, we need new ground rules." He adopted a grave tone.

Sophia snorted. "Then I quit. Consider our collaboration terminated."

Julian: "?"

Since when did she play by her own rules?