Chapter 18

Sophia's heart lurched at the sound of that honeyed voice.

It felt hauntingly familiar.

Before she could recall where she'd heard it, Ethan Roscente was already striding forward, his tone uncharacteristically tender. "Isabella."

The woman stepping out of the car came into view.

Isabella Valentine wore a beige dress beneath a light trench coat, her swan-like neck glowing under the sunlight. She floated toward Ethan and casually linked her arm through his.

They stood together like a perfect matched set.

Sophia turned away, nails biting into her palms.

"And this is..." Isabella's gaze landed on Sophia, crimson lips curling. "Sophia Lowell?"

Ethan arched a brow. "You know each other?"

Isabella covered her mouth with a delicate laugh. "When I visited your father last time, he showed me your family portrait." Her eyes swept over Sophia with deliberate appraisal. "She was stunning in the photo, but even more breathtaking in person. If Mr. Roscente hadn't introduced her, I would've thought she was your girlfriend."

She turned to Ethan, lashes fluttering. "If I didn't know she was your niece, I might get jealous."

The amusement faded slightly from Ethan's lips. "Don't be ridiculous."

That indulgent tone made Sophia's chest constrict.

She kept her head down, eyelashes trembling violently.

Isabella's words were like a scalpel, slicing precisely into her most sensitive nerve.

The mysterious text message flashed through her mind.

"Sophia?" Vivian Ashcroft noticed her tension and whispered her name.

Sophia snapped back to reality, forcing a smile. "Excuse me." She grabbed Vivian's wrist and hurried away.

"Sophia!" Daniel Clementson called after her, frustration evident.

Isabella's attention shifted to him. "And you are?"

Daniel immediately brightened. "Daniel Clementson, Sophia's boyfriend. CEO of Clementson Enterprises. It's an honor to meet you, Ms. Valentine."

"Oh, we're practically family." Isabella extended a graceful hand. "Such a promising young executive. You and Sophia make a perfect pair."

She tilted her head toward Ethan. "Don't you think so, Ethan?"

The intimate nickname "Ethan" scraped against Sophia's ears. Her steps faltered, then quickened.

Ethan absently withdrew his arm, adjusting his cuff. "Perhaps."

Daniel beamed. "Marrying Sophia would be my greatest fortune. I promise I'll—"

A sudden chill cut through his words.

When he recovered, Ethan had already turned toward the restaurant. Daniel moved to follow, but Zachary Evans blocked his path.

Isabella admired her manicure, smirking. "Mr. Clementson, wouldn't marrying Sophia give you everything you want?"

With that loaded remark, she clicked away in her stilettos.