Chapter 308

Sophia Lowell and Sebastian Valdemar were deep in conversation at the café when her phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen—Ethan Roscente was calling.

"Excuse me for a moment." She offered Sebastian an apologetic smile.

Ethan's icy voice came through the line. "Where are you?"

"The café," she answered truthfully.

"Be back in ten minutes." The call ended abruptly.

When Sophia returned to the hotel, the door had barely cracked open before she was yanked inside.

Ethan pinned her against the wall, his gaze dark. "Having fun with Sebastian?"

"We were just catching up as friends." She tried to pull free.

He let out a cold laugh and dragged her into the bathroom. Freezing water sprayed over her wrists as he squeezed too much soap onto his hands, scrubbing where Sebastian had touched her with rough strokes.

"That hurts!" Sophia gasped.

Ethan ignored her until her skin turned red. Only then did he release her.

"What's wrong with you?" She rubbed her sore wrists.

He loomed over her. "Remember—you're mine." With that, he stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

In the hallway, Zachary Evans hesitated with a paper bag in his arms.

"Mr. Roscente, these pastries—"

"Throw them away." Ethan didn't look back.

Zachary sighed. "You waited in line for two hours..."

"I said toss them!" Ethan whirled around. "Wait. Deliver them to her. Don't mention me."

When Sophia opened the door, Zachary forced a smile. "Miss Lowell, complimentary afternoon tea from the hotel."

She accepted the bag. Inside were still-warm dim sum. The receipt on top clearly read: "Wait Time: 2 hours 15 minutes."

Her phone lit up with a flight confirmation from her assistant. Sophia stared at the pastries, her finger hovering over "Cancel Reservation" before finally tapping it.

At dusk, she stood by the window, watching Ethan and Dominic Valrose walk away below. A faint smile tugged at her lips.