Chapter 337

Mr. Roscente Sr. stood in a deep red mandarin jacket, his dragon-headed cane thudding heavily against the floor. Behind him trailed seven or eight Roscente executives in tailored suits, all hunched and silent, not daring to breathe too loudly.

"Please watch your step, sir," the butler murmured, steadying the elderly man. His gaze flickered to the figure by the office door, and he quickly leaned in to whisper.

Sophia Lowell tried to retreat, but it was too late.

Her nails dug into her palms as she forced a thin smile. "Good afternoon, Grandfather."

Ethan Roscente rose from behind his desk, his broad shoulders and long legs accentuated by the black suit. He strode forward to take the old man's arm, his voice low. "What brings you here so unexpectedly?"

The patriarch's sharp eyes swept over Sophia before shifting to Ethan. "Am I not welcome?"

The cane struck the floor with a resounding thud.

A cold sweat prickled Sophia's back. She kept her head bowed, barely breathing.

"The meeting just ended," Ethan said smoothly, positioning himself slightly in front of her. "You should have informed me. I would have arranged for your transportation."

The old man snorted, his expression easing slightly. "You haven't come home in two weeks. I thought you'd died out here."

Suddenly, he turned to Sophia, his gaze turning razor-sharp. "What are you doing here?"

Sophia's heart skipped.

Those piercing eyes seemed to strip away every layer of her composure. She remembered Ethan's words—Your face betrays everything.

"I—" she began.

"Emily asked her to deliver some herbal medicine," Ethan cut in. "A prescription from that old physician in Hong Kong."

The patriarch narrowed his eyes. "Are there no doctors in New York?"

The cane tapped three times, each strike vibrating through Sophia's chest.

"Your aunt has always been troublesome," the old man said, staring at Sophia. "Don't follow her example."

Sophia's nails bit deeper into her palms. "Yes, Grandfather."

"Since you've resigned," the patriarch continued abruptly, "stop lingering around Roscente Holdings. Ethan is busy. He has no time for distractions."

The dragon-headed cane hovered in the air, pointing directly at Sophia's face.

She lowered her head, her voice barely audible. "Understood."