Mr. CEO's Substitute Bride-Chapter 977 - 973: What Does Me Kissing My Woman Have to Do with You

Sophie Foster had little interest in playing cards and was draped over Nicholas Croft’s arm looking very bored. She wanted to smoke a cigarette to pass the time, but worried it might spoil Nicholas’s impression of her, so she dismissed the idea.

But her craving was strong, especially watching the men across from her smoking. She leaned over to Nicholas and whispered near his ear, "Uncle Nicholas, I’m going outside for a smoke."

Nicholas casually played a card and placed a pack of cigarettes in front of Sophie with his other hand. "Have a smoke to perk up, we’ll head back after this round."

Sophie discreetly glanced at the other three men at the table, seeing that they were all focused on the game. She reached out to the cigarette pack, took one, and lit it for herself.

She gently exhaled after taking a puff, looking very content. The bad habit of smoking was learned on the day her mother passed away when she locked herself in a room, bought a pack, smoked, and cried silently until dawn.

After a few puffs, Sophie brought the cigarette in her fingers to Nicholas’s lips. Though she had stepped into adulthood early, she was still a child who liked to be affectionate with those she cared about, even if it was just a cigarette – she simply wanted to share it with Uncle Nicholas.

Nicholas went along with it, taking a puff from Sophie’s hand before continuing his game. Across the table, Felix Shaw puffed out smoke playfully and teased, "Little Sophie, do you have to flaunt your affection like this? Consider our feelings as single gentlemen, will you?"

Right after Felix spoke, Nathan Moore, who had been silent, glanced at him and Evander Lancaster with a dull look and said, "Being single only applies to you two, not me."

"Come on, can’t we just enjoy the game!" Evander slammed his mahjong tiles on the table, looking quite helpless. "Though you’re surrounded by beauties, you shouldn’t expose your brothers’ weaknesses!"

"Hmph," Nathan snorted coldly, taking a cigarette from the pack. He looked disdainful before bringing it to his lips, "I was just stating a fact."

Evander sighed helplessly again, looking resignedly at Nathan, who seemed convinced he was right, and said, "Brother, even though your wife is recovering and you can’t vent, don’t you still have Thumbelina?"

"Heh, you’re talking about yourself." Nathan retorted, puffing on his cigarette with contempt. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Evander...

Speechless after being hit by Nathan’s sharp tongue, he could only look at him uneasily and helplessly.

Watching the tense exchange between the two men at the table, Sophie pursed her lips and turned to Nicholas with a pitiful look, whispering, "Uncle Nicholas, did I say something wrong? Your friends..."

"Don’t worry about them," Nicholas gently rubbed the top of Sophie’s head, his expression soft. He found himself moved by her pouty lips and puffed-up cheeks and leaned in to peck her lightly on the lips.

"Big brother, second brother, can you two stop flaunting your happiness when we’re starving for companionship?" Felix wailed again. Despite having dated many women, he wasn’t as shameless as big brother, kissing in front of everyone without considering their feelings.

"You make your own opportunities, kissing my woman doesn’t concern any of you," Nicholas laughed, pulling Sophie close, his eyes filled with pride.

"Ugh, too much to handle!" Felix pushed his mahjong tiles away, "I’m done, my pride’s hurt. Old Four, let’s find some women and vent our frustrations."