Chapter 229

Ethan's fingers suddenly gripped Sophia's chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.

"Sophia, this is my final warning." His voice was icy. "If I see you with Sebastian Valdemar again, I won't touch you—but I'll make sure he suffers beyond imagination."

His fingertip trailed from her lips and pressed hard against her chest.

Sophia felt an invisible hand clenching her heart.

"This time, you'll watch it happen." His scorching breath brushed her ear. "You know what I'm capable of."

A chill ran down her spine.

With Isabella Valentine lurking ahead and Ethan Roscente closing in behind, fury, humiliation, and defiance churned inside her, threatening to tear her apart.

She bit her lower lip until it turned white.

Just as Ethan thought she'd surrendered, Sophia lifted her head, cold fire blazing in her eyes.

"Fine. Everyone wants to push me to the edge?" Her laugh was bitter. "I have nothing to lose. Touch anyone I care about, and Isabella will pay with her life."

Ethan's pupils contracted sharply.

"Don't believe me?" Sophia bared her teeth. "Test me. Let's see who breaks first!"

She slammed her palm against the driver's seat. "Stop the car!"

The startled driver hit the brakes.

Ethan seized her wrist. "What did Isabella do to you?"

"Spare me the act!" She wrenched free. "Aren't you two cut from the same cloth?"

The car door slammed shut behind her.

Ethan watched her retreating figure, his expression darkening.

"Investigate," he ordered Zachary Evans in the passenger seat. "I want every detail of Isabella's recent activities."

The next morning, Sophia was revising design drafts when her phone buzzed.

Unknown caller.

She declined immediately.

Thirty seconds later, it rang again.