Chapter 334

Jessica pushed open the office door and saw Sophia standing by the window, her face deathly pale, knuckles white from gripping too tight.

"Sophia?" She hurried forward. "Your hands are freezing."

Sophia yanked her hand away, forcing a smile. "I'm fine. Perfectly fine."

That smile sent a chill down Jessica's spine.

Ethan Roscente was in a quarterly review meeting when Sophia stormed into his office. Zachary Evans walked in with coffee just as her icy gaze locked onto him.

"Ms. Lowell..." His hand trembled, the cup clinking against the saucer.

Sophia tapped her fingers on the desk. "Busy lately, Zachary?"

A cold sweat broke out on his back. "What do you mean—"

"Forget it." She suddenly laughed. "Bring me ice water instead. I need to cool off."

The glass creaked ominously in her grip. Zachary nearly bolted from the room, almost colliding with Ethan as he exited the meeting.

"What's the rush?" Ethan frowned.

Before Zachary could answer, the office door swung open. Sophia leaned against the frame, drawing a finger across her throat in a silent threat.

"Mr. Roscente..." Zachary swallowed hard. "Jessica said Ms. Lowell found out about—"

The words died as Ethan was yanked inside. The door slammed shut with enough force to make the potted plant tremble.

Ethan loosened his tie. "Who pissed you off?"

Sophia drained the ice water in one gulp and slammed the glass down. "Playing dumb?"

Drops slid down her chin, staining her white blouse. Ethan's eyes darkened as he reached to wipe them away—only to have his hand slapped aside.

"The loan sharks," she hissed. "Explain."

Outside, the sunset vanished behind storm clouds, plunging the office into shadows. Ethan paused while undoing his cufflinks. A metal button hit the hardwood floor with a sharp click.

"Let me explain—"

"So you can lie to me again?" She grabbed his suit jacket and hurled it at him. "Ethan Roscente, what the hell do you take me for?"

Signed checks spilled from the pockets, each bearing his flamboyant signature.