Chapter 156

At four in the morning, Sophia Lowell jolted awake, pierced by a bone-chilling cold.

Her fingers fumbled for the bedside switch. Light flooded the room, revealing the windows tightly shut as always.

An icy draft seeped through the door crack, carrying a biting chill.

She tightened her robe around her and stepped barefoot onto the floor.

The moment she pushed open the bedroom door, her pupils constricted in shock.

The living room was in chaos.

Cushions lay scattered across the floor. Papers from the coffee table swirled in the air.

The most horrifying sight—the security door had vanished.

The glass balcony door was also gone, leaving the room exposed to the howling wind.

Her calico cat trembled in its bed, fur standing on end.

"Meow—"

The pitiful sound twisted Sophia's heart.

She rushed to inspect the doorframe and found the screws neatly lined up in the corner.

This was too precise.

Only that lunatic Ethan Roscente could pull off something like this.

"Bastard!"

She scooped up the cat and hurried back to the bedroom, only to find the hinges already loosened.

Clearly, he'd shown mercy.

Before dawn, she soothed the frightened feline while calling a security door installation company.

"Ten this morning? Yes, please hurry."

After hanging up, she sent a voice message to Grandma Lee next door.

In the classroom, students buzzed with excitement.

"Professor Lowell, leaving so fast? Going to see Professor Valdemar?"

"We saw you at the architecture exhibit last time!"

Sophia massaged her temples. "Someone broke into my apartment. I need to get the door fixed."

Gasps erupted.

"Who would do that?"

"Was it Professor Valdemar?"

Sophia nearly choked on the chalk dust. "Don't be ridiculous!"

She grabbed her lesson plans and fled, only to be cornered at the hallway turn.

Tiffany Roscente blocked her path, crimson nails gleaming.

"Sophia," she hissed. "Stay away from Sebastian."

Sophia arched a brow. "Tell him that, not me."

"You bitch!" Tiffany's hand flew up.

Sophia caught her wrist mid-air.

As they stood locked in tension, rapid footsteps echoed down the hall.