Chapter 268
Mr. Galatea approached with a wine glass in hand, his eyes glinting shrewdly. "Secretary Lowell, care for a drink?"
The crystal glass refracted the light, casting an enigmatic smile across his face.
Sophia's fingers trembled slightly. This man was notorious in business circles for being difficult, and Ethan had just warned her to behave...
"She doesn't drink."
Ethan's voice cut through like ice. He pulled Sophia close by the waist and turned away without another word.
Sophia offered Mr. Galatea an apologetic smile before her heels clicked sharply against the marble floor.
"Mr. Roscente..." she murmured in reminder.
Ethan ignored her, his grip unyielding.
Across the ballroom, Tyler Galatea laughed with his date until his peripheral vision caught a familiar silhouette.
"Fuck!" His grip tightened around his glass.
The humiliation from that live reality show flooded back. Because of Sophia's mocking remark, he'd been forced to deactivate all his socials—his name had become a running joke online.
And now she was here.
His gaze slithered over her like a snake. The moonlight-blue halter dress hugged every curve, her bare shoulders glowing under the chandeliers. The slit in the skirt teased glimpses of toned legs with each step, making his throat tighten.
Even more alluring than on screen.
"Tyler?" His date pouted, pressing closer.
He shoved her away roughly and grabbed a passing guest. "Who's that guy?"
"Ethan Roscente from the mainland. Rumor says he's well-connected."
"The mainland?" Tyler's gold tooth flashed as he grinned.
In Hong Kong, even dragons had to coil and tigers had to crouch.
He fired off a text, his eyes glued to Sophia's retreating figure as if he could already see her begging on her knees.
A sudden chill ran down Sophia's spine.
She turned and met Tyler's venomous stare, her pupils contracting. Why was this loser here?
"What's wrong?" Ethan sensed her tension.
"Nothing." She forced a smile, though her ankle throbbed faintly.
Subtly, she leaned closer into Ethan's side.