Chapter 237
Sophia's fingers dug into the car door's edge, her knuckles turning white.
Ethan Roscente's cold gaze swept over her trembling hand, his lips curling into a mocking smirk.
"Let go."
She jerked her hand back, leaving faint white scratches on the door.
His grip clamped around her slender wrist, tight enough to crush bone. Sophia stumbled as he yanked her into the car, her back slamming against the leather seat.
"Sophia!"
Vivian Ashcroft's desperate scream was cut off by the closing door.
Sophia barely had time to sit up before Ethan forced her across his lap. His long fingers traced her cheek with unyielding pressure.
"Let me see."
"Get off!"
She turned her face away, but he seized her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. Her eyes burned with fury, wild and untamed.
Ethan's expression darkened.
"Explain yesterday."
Sophia scoffed. "Didn’t Isabella Valentine brag about it already?" She wrenched free. "She nearly killed my aunt. I won’t forget this."
His brow furrowed.
"Proof?"
"She admitted it herself!" Sophia's voice shook. "Stop pretending, Ethan."
The air in the car turned glacial.
Ethan narrowed his eyes, his thumb brushing her reddened eyelid. "Just your word against hers?" His grip tightened. "The Valentines' prized heiress—stupid enough to confess to murder?"
Sophia gasped in pain.
"Because she knows you’ll protect her!" She spat the words through gritted teeth. "With her loyal guard dog—"
"Enough."
His hand shot to her throat, squeezing just shy of suffocation. He leaned in, his breath hot against her pale face.
"Say that again..." His thumb grazed her fluttering pulse. "And I’ll silence you permanently."
Her pupils dilated in terror.
Abruptly, he released her. Watching her cough violently, he calmly adjusted his cufflinks.
"Stay away from Isabella." He rolled down the window, icy wind rushing in. "Next time, it won’t just be a flowerpot."
The door slammed shut.
Sophia stared at the retreating taillights, her nails biting into her palms. Blood dripped onto the snow, blooming into stark crimson.