The Ultimate Sponsor System

Chapter 3: Sofie

Two shiny black cars drove slowly along the dusty roads of the suburban district. 

At the end of that district, a two-story building stood out conspicuously—a classic Western-style saloon with dark wooden boards, a wide front porch, and a hand-painted sign reading “Rose Saloon” in thick, deep-red letters.

The two cars stopped in the gravel parking lot. The doors opened almost simultaneously.

Three women and three men.

Among them was a tall, thin young man wearing glasses. The aura of his body looked weak, as if he could die at any moment. 

His name was Kevin. 

His eyes immediately locked onto a woman standing not far from him. 

The woman was wearing denim shorts and a black crop top that showed off her flat stomach and navel. Her long black hair was tied into a ponytail that swayed every time she moved. 

Her face was fair and beautiful, with a soft jawline and lips that always seemed ready to be kissed. 

Kevin swallowed hard. 

In his mind, he still found it hard to believe that a girl this beautiful was now officially his girlfriend.

Sofie was staring at her phone screen with a tense face. Anger was clearly reflected in her eyes right now.

Abby, her best friend, approached and patted Sofie’s shoulder.

“Sofie, what’s wrong with you? Your face looks so fierce,” Abby asked, her voice full of curiosity mixed with worry.

Sofie answered without looking away from her phone, her voice flat and gloomy.

“Sebas hasn’t transferred the money yet.”

Abby was surprised, then her voice filled with concern. “Then what? You don’t have any money at all right now?”

Before Sofie could answer, Kevin stepped forward. He tried to smile, though his tone sounded a little too forced.

“D-Don’t worry about money, Sofie. You’re my girlfriend now, right? How could I let you pay for the drinks later by yourself? I’ll cover everything—food and drinks for all of us.”

A muscular man in a black leather jacket immediately put his arm around Kevin’s neck from the side and laughed loudly.

“Wow, Kevin. I didn’t expect you to actually be rich. Where’d you get the money, huh? The food and drinks at Rose Saloon are expensive, you know.”

His name was Adam, Kevin’s friend.

Kevin laughed awkwardly, “Haha… my dad got a big bonus last night. He gave me a little, enough for tonight.”

He had never told his friends that he was actually the son of a wealthy family who deliberately hid his identity.

Sofie glanced at Kevin briefly, then answered in a cold tone, “No need. I can pay for your drinks and food myself.”

Kevin just smiled awkwardly again. 

Even though Sofie had officially become his girlfriend not long ago, her attitude was still cold and distant. But Kevin wasn’t angry. 

He knew that sooner or later, Sofie would soften in his arms. 

He just needed to be patient.

The group then entered the Rose Saloon. The smell of old wood, whiskey, and a faint scent of cigar smoke greeted them. 

Vintage-style hanging lamps illuminated the long tables and the dark wooden bar on the right side. 

A young waiter immediately approached, ready to take their order. But before Sofie could request a private room, a blonde woman walked over with a friendly smile while dismissing the young waiter.

The woman was wearing a black dress that accentuated her curves. The three men with Sofie stared in amazement.

“Oh my… isn’t this Miss Sofie?” the woman said in a soft, friendly voice. “We’re so happy that a guest like you has come to our Saloon.”

Sofie frowned, looking at her suspiciously.

“Who are you? I don’t remember ever meeting you.”

The woman smiled politely, “Oh, forgive me. I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Siya, the personal assistant of Miss Rose, the owner of Rose Saloon. Because Miss Rose and Mr. Sebastian are old acquaintances, Mr. Sebastian’s name and the people he considers important have long been recorded on our special list. So every time Mr. Sebastian or any of the people on that list arrives, I immediately know. My duty is to welcome them as best as possible.”

Hearing that her name was considered important by Sebas, Sofie’s heart felt a little warm. The corner of her lips almost lifted, but quickly returned to neutral, as if she didn’t want to show that feeling.

“I want to make a reservation,” Sofie said shortly.

Siya shook her head slightly, still with the same smile. “Miss Sofie, before you make a reservation, I would like to ask something first.”

“What is it?” Sofie furrowed her brows, clearly displeased.

“Have you already obtained permission from Mr. Sebas to drink here?” Siya asked, her eyes narrowing sharply.

Sofie’s body flinched slightly. Her expression changed for a fraction of a second before returning to calm.

“I have. Besides, I’m already an adult. I don’t need his permission at all,” she answered firmly.

But Siya only stared at her in silence. As the assistant of an important person, she was already used to distinguishing between truth and lies. And right now, she knew perfectly well that Sofie was lying.

She knew Sebastian’s nature. That man was overprotective.

“Very well. Please follow me. Mr. Sebas has a private VIP room that may only be visited by Miss Rose or Mr. Sebas, but because Mr. Sebas considers you very important, Miss Sofie may use that room as she pleases,” Siya said, turning around.

Sofie pondered in silence. From earlier, Siya kept mentioning the name Rose. Who was she? 

What was her relationship with Sebas?

Sofie told her friends to follow behind her, then asked Siya, “Sebas and Rose… what is their relationship?”

Siya was a little surprised by Sofie’s rough tone when calling Sebas, but she quickly calmed herself and smiled. “They are very close friends… or so it is when one of them wants the relationship to go further.”

Siya’s reply was so ambiguous.

Sofie looked displeased upon hearing it.

Sofie and her friends followed Siya to the quiet end of the bar area.

Before long, they saw a large aquarium box. Various large fish were swimming and there were various coral reefs inside the aquarium.

A wooden door carved with a large rose was next to that aquarium. Siya opened the door, which appeared unlocked, then stepped aside to make way.

“Please come in, Miss Sofie,” she said with a smile.

Sofie walked in, but after just two steps, her expression froze and her face turned slightly pale.

“Sebas?!”