Chapter 131

Sebastian Valdemar gave a slight nod, his gaze lingering on her retreating figure. "Be careful."

Sophia Lowell murmured an acknowledgment, her stiletto heels clicking as she walked toward the balcony.

Sebastian moved to follow, but a business partner suddenly intercepted him with pleasantries.

On the balcony, Ethan Roscente leaned against the railing, exhaling smoke into the night. Moonlight outlined his sharp silhouette, his expression obscured by swirling tendrils of cigarette haze.

Felix Roland approached with a champagne flute in hand. After discussing work, he lowered his voice. "Guess who I just saw? Your little rabbit."

Ash tumbled from Ethan's cigarette. His eyes turned glacial.

"She was clinging to some man," Felix drawled, swirling his drink. "Suit-and-tie elite type. The way he looked at her—practically undressing her with his eyes."

The cigarette was crushed violently against the railing.

"And?" Ethan's voice dripped with ice.

Felix lit a fresh cigarette with a scoff. "Stop pretending you don’t care. She’s clearly cutting ties." He blew a smoke ring for emphasis. "The whole company knows you got called a mediocre narcissist."

A glass thudded heavily against the table.

"Zachary Evans has a death wish," Ethan growled, darkness churning in his gaze.

"Don’t take it out on him," Felix said, amused. "Face it—if you won’t give her a real commitment—"

"Then what?" Ethan whirled, his shadow engulfing Felix. "Let her marry someone else? Have another man’s children?"

Felix coughed around his cigarette. "You can’t possibly—"

"She’ll never escape me." Ethan’s laugh was cold. "The moment she crashed into me, she was mine."

Felix shook his head. "Was it really her who made the first move?" He arched a meaningful brow. "That night, you were clearly—"

"Shut up." Ethan’s eyes narrowed dangerously.

Felix mimed zipping his lips but couldn’t resist muttering, "If she ever finds out about that drink—"

A sudden gust of wind billowed the curtains, casting Ethan’s profile into flickering shadows between the glow of his cigarette.