Chapter 15

"That bastard Ethan Roscente!" Vivian Ashcroft slammed the table, her chest heaving with rage. "He gets what he wants and disappears without a word, leaving you here alone! Calling him a dog would be an insult to dogs—at least they know how to protect their owners!"

Sophia Lowell blinked, startled by the sudden outburst.

She'd known Vivian's sharp tongue for years, but it still caught her off guard.

"Am I being too harsh?" Vivian side-eyed her. "Don't tell me you still care about him."

After all, Ethan had once been Sophia's everything.

Sophia reached for a soda, then remembered Vivian was cutting sugar and handed her water instead.

"It's over," she shrugged. "He goes his way, I go mine."

Vivian sulked as her soda was swapped, taking a reluctant sip. "Because of that Shanghai socialite princess, Isabella Valentine?"

"You know about her?"

"Everyone in our circle does." Vivian scoffed. "Thought it was just PR, but they actually got married."

She added through gritted teeth, "May they be infertile yet surrounded by grandchildren!"

Sophia's lips twitched.

That was one vicious curse.

They headed out for dinner at a private kitchen.

As they stepped out of the car, Daniel Clementson emerged from another vehicle with an elegant middle-aged woman.

"Sophia." Daniel's face lit up.

Sophia gave a stiff nod. Their blind date had been awkward, but he'd remained polite.

"Hmph!" Mrs. Clementson looked down her nose, scrutinizing Sophia. "Average looks, yet so picky. My son liking you is more luck than you deserve!"

"Want that 'luck' for yourself?" Vivian retorted as she parked.

Mrs. Clementson eyed Vivian's crop top and heavy makeup with disgust. "Shameless hussy! Sophia, keep trash like this away unless you want to catch something."

Sophia's expression darkened.

Mrs. Clementson prattled on, "Not enough dowry? We can add another million. After marriage, stay home and breed—don't embarrass us in public..."