Chapter 272 Sofia's Provocation

Zachary's voice was rising, clearly agitated. "Uncle, come on, this is my responsibility!"

His uncle, Aiden, was unyielding. "I said no. If you don't listen, I'll stick you behind a desk!"

Furious, Zachary slammed the phone down and pounded his fist on the table, his face a mix of pain and frustration.

He then called his mother, Indigo, his voice heavy with exhaustion. "Mom, why'd you let Aiden do this?"

Indigo's voice was soft and tearful on the other end. "Zachary, I'm scared you'll end up like your father, lose your mind, or worse."

Zachary took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. "Mom, I promise I'll be fine. Please, talk to Aiden for me."

Indigo shifted the conversation. "And you should also think about your marriage." Zachary, impatient, replied, "Mom, we'll talk about it later. How's Grandpa?"

After checking on his grandfather's health, he hung up the phone.

Zachary's father had died when he was two, and Indigo had remarried to support her father's career. Though she didn't have more children and dedicated herself to national charity work, Zachary understood her difficult situation and didn't resent her.

Zachary's family background was significant, with his uncle being the Deputy Prime Minister and his grandfather holding a high position. However, Zachary had worked hard to get where he was and preferred to be an ordinary person.

Zachary left the conference room and found Knox and others having coffee in the adjacent lounge.

Knox noticed Zachary's dark expression and whispered to the others, "Mr. Baker's in a bad mood. Maybe Seraphina should talk to him?"

Feeling down, Zachary stepped out of the camp for some fresh air. Sofia, noticing him, dressed up and approached him with a feigned look of fear. "Mr. Baker, the view over there looks nice. Could you come with me?"

Zachary frowned, not even glancing at her, and called out to a passing team member. "You take Ms. Moore for a walk."

Sofia's smile vanished instantly, but she persisted, stepping closer and speaking softly. "I don't need a team member. I want to talk to you."

Zachary, irritated, refused. "I don't have time."

He turned and walked away in another direction, leaving Sofia clenching her fists in frustration. "What does Seraphina have that I don't?"

Sofia watched as Seraphina ran towards Zachary, biting her lip in anger.

A few minutes earlier, Seraphina had been waiting in Zachary's room. As lunchtime approached, she couldn't wait any longer and grabbed Knox to ask, "Knox, where's Zachary?"

Knox answered honestly, "He's in a bad mood and went out."

Seraphina immediately headed towards the main gate, asking a team member about Zachary's whereabouts before running towards the training ground.

Sofia, unbuttoning the top two buttons of her shirt to reveal a pink bra, intercepted Zachary, her chest barely concealed. "Mr. Baker, there's a snake! Save me!"

Sofia threw herself at him, her voice trembling with fake tears.

A passing team member saw this and scoffed. "Slut."

As he turned, he caught sight of Seraphina running towards them, her face full of anger.

Seraphina, seeing the scene, was furious. She quickly approached and pulled Sofia away. "Let go of him."

Sofia, startled, slipped and fell heavily to the ground.

Seraphina stood her ground. "Sofia, stop pretending to be pitiful and using excuses to seduce my boyfriend! A snake in broad daylight? Do you think I'm stupid?" Sofia argued, "I really saw a snake."

Seraphina stepped closer, warning her. "Don't try to seduce Zachary again, or you'll regret it!"

Sofia shot back defiantly, "You're not married. I have every right to go after him!" Zachary stepped in, his voice firm. "This is a camp, not a place for your drama." Standing beside Seraphina, his expression was cold and authoritative. Seraphina felt a warmth in her heart and whispered, "It's good to have you." Sofia, humiliated and jealous, awkwardly left.

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"Zachary, why are you in a bad mood? Can you tell me?" Seraphina asked softly.

Zachary didn't want to worry her. "It's nothing, don't ask."

Though disappointed, Seraphina nodded obediently. "Okay, if you need me, just let me know."

Zachary turned to leave but, seeing Seraphina's pitiful expression, took her hand and led her back to the camp. When they encountered other team members, Seraphina instinctively pulled her hand away.

After lunch, Zachary addressed the team. "Training at three o'clock in the gym." Seraphina's eyes lit up, and she stood up, asking tentatively, "Can I come too?" Before Zachary could respond, someone teased, "Seraphina, you have no idea how much Zachary tortures us."

After lunch, many people took a nap. Seraphina brought coffee to Zachary's room, seeing him on the phone. She was about to leave when Zachary covered the receiver and explained, "It's urgent. Please wait."

Seraphina nodded. "Okay, continue."

But she couldn't help feeling a bit down, realizing how hard it was to get close to him.

At three-thirty, Seraphina arrived at the gym on time. Knox had thoughtfully prepared snacks and a seat for her. Dane nudged Isaac. "Isaac, you go first and wear Mr. Baker out."

Seeing Isaac's muscular build, Seraphina worried about Zachary and asked Knox, "Knox, can Zachary beat Isaac?"

Everyone's faces turned serious. Knox covered Seraphina's mouth. "Keep it down. Don't provoke Mr. Baker, or we'll all suffer. Maybe you should leave?"

Seraphina shook her head. "No."

Zachary hung up the phone and signaled for training to begin.

Isaac threw the first punch, which Zachary dodged skillfully, countering with his own. After several intense rounds, Isaac began to falter. Seraphina called out, "Isaac, be careful!"

As Zachary pulled back, Isaac feinted and landed a hit on Zachary's cheek, drawing blood. Seraphina rushed over, her eyes welling up. "Are you okay? Does it hurt?"

Lost in the world of this story? Make sure you're on Ñel5s.com to catch every twist

and turn. The next chapter awaits, exclusively on our site. Dive in now! Zachary, holding Seraphina, sat down at the edge of the training area. Seraphina tenderly checked his wound.

Knox and Ezra whispered nearby. Ezra said, "See, women do affect Mr. Baker's performance. Their relationship is confirmed; she's his girlfriend now."

Seraphina, worried, ran to get an ice pack for Zachary.

Zachary stood up. "Let's go back to the room."

Seraphina blushed and nodded, following him obediently.

In the room, Zachary removed his sweaty T-shirt, revealing his bare chest. He told

Seraphina, "I'm going to shower."

Seraphina's face turned red, her heart racing. She stammered, "Okay."

Zachary showered quickly and soon emerged, wrapped in a towel, water dripping from

his hair onto his broad shoulders and down his muscular frame.

Seraphina sat on the living room sofa, holding a magazine but frequently glancing

towards the bathroom. When Zachary walked out, her heart skipped a beat.

She stole a quick glance before looking down, afraid of being caught.

"Are you done?" Seraphina tried to keep her voice steady.

Zachary calmly put on a clean T-shirt and sat on the sofa, patting the spot next to him.

"Come here and ice my face."

Blushing, Seraphina carefully applied the ice pack. When it touched his skin, Zachary winced.

"Does it hurt?" Seraphina's voice held a hint of concern.

Zachary smirked slightly. "Not as much as seeing you worry."

Seraphina's cheeks flushed even more. "You should be more careful."

Zachary's eyes softened as he looked at her. "Thanks for looking out for me."

Seraphina smiled shyly. "Anytime."

They sat in comfortable silence, the tension from earlier slowly melting away.