Chapter 309

Sophia had just stepped out of the hotel when her phone rang abruptly.

The screen displayed an unfamiliar local Hong Kong number.

Her finger hovered over the decline button, but she inexplicably swiped to answer.

"Ms. Lowell?"

Dominic Valrose's signature deep voice came through the line.

Her brow furrowed slightly. "Mr. Valrose, is something the matter?"

"I heard about your unfortunate incident yesterday. I was tied up with contract negotiations and didn’t get the chance to check on you." His tone carried just the right amount of concern. "Are you feeling better now?"

"Thank you for asking. I’m fine."

"Good." He chuckled lightly. "If anything happened to you under my watch, I wouldn’t know how to explain it to Mr. Roscente."

Sophia pressed her lips together in silence.

"By the way," Dominic shifted the topic smoothly, "would you be available to pick up Mr. Roscente?"

Her breath hitched. "What’s wrong with Ethan?"

"After signing the contract, everyone celebrated a bit too enthusiastically." He paused. "Mr. Roscente kept calling your name. I assumed he’d prefer you to come get him."

"Where’s Zachary?"

"Sent away on an errand by Mr. Roscente." Dominic sighed. "I’ll send you the address. Just take the shuttle. It’s crowded here, and I’d hate for anything to happen to him."

The call ended abruptly.

A location pin popped up immediately—a private villa estate.

Sophia stared at her phone, her fingers absently tracing the edges.

Why would a business dinner be held at a villa?

She dialed Zachary’s number.

"You’re not with Ethan?"

"I’m back at the hotel collecting luggage." His voice was harried. "Mr. Roscente said we’d fly out directly from the Hot Springs Resort tomorrow."

"Dominic says he’s drunk."

"Those people are relentless with the drinks." Zachary exhaled. "Sorry to trouble you, Ms. Lowell."

After hanging up, Sophia flagged down a shuttle.

The villa was brightly lit.

Dominic was chatting with someone when he spotted her arrival. He tilted his chin toward the second floor.

"Mr. Roscente’s fiancée has been here for a while." His tone was suggestive. "You know how young couples are."

The man beside him smirked. "What else would an engaged couple do alone?"

Sophia’s fingertips turned cold.

"You didn’t know?" Dominic feigned surprise. "Ms. Valentine arrived this morning with Mr. Roscente’s niece. She’s been by his side all afternoon—a perfect match."

He lowered his voice. "Rumor has it Ms. Valentine was exhausted, so Mr. Roscente had Zachary escort her to rest. But when she heard he was drunk, she rushed back to take care of him."

Sophia stood rooted in place, the lights stretching her shadow long across the ground.