Chapter 338

Ethan's jade ring spun between his fingers. His voice was glacial. "You're old enough to know better. Keep your distance from Jason."

A pause. His gaze sharpened like a blade. "Especially from your uncle. His wedding to Isabella is imminent. Though you're family, gossip would disgrace the Roscentes."

Sophia's nails dug into her palms.

The words slapped her across the face—publicly, brutally.

The patriarch was warning her: every Roscente man was off-limits.

Even Jason, the family's black sheep, wasn't hers to covet.

Worse, the subtext chilled her: the Roscentes monitored her every move.

Her throat tightened. "Understood."

The old man's piercing stare shifted to the tall figure beside her. "Ethan. Do I make myself clear?"

That look could flay a man's pretense bare.

Sophia's breath hitched.

This was a warning for Ethan.

She kept her head down, only hearing his bored retort: "Clear about what? I'm swamped with work, not riddles."

A derisive chuckle. "If you're bored, recall Aunt Jiang from her tour. Maybe she'll gift me a baby brother."

"Insolent!" The patriarch glared, yet his expression softened inexplicably. "Jiang Wu's occupied with her performances."

Jiang Wu.

The name sent a jolt through Sophia.

The Roscentes' enigmatic third mistress.

A thirty-year-old opera star who'd become the patriarch's companion four years ago—unofficially, yet untouchable.

Her aunt Emily had cautioned her during her first Roscente dinner.

Jiang's career had skyrocketed, keeping her from the estate. Sophia had never met her.

She'd dismissed the rumors—until now, witnessing the tycoon's unguarded tenderness.

Even the mighty Mr. Roscente Sr. bent for beauty.

From her periphery, Ethan smirked cryptically, steering the patriarch toward his office.

Sophia was deciphering that smile when the closing door released the old man's final decree:

"Your wedding to Isabella—next week..."

Her blood turned to ice.

Next week.

Seven days.

Good. This farce would finally end.

"Ms. Lowell?"

Zachary's voice snapped her back.

"Mr. Roscente asked me to escort you out."

She shot him a frosty glance. "Unnecessary."

He wisely stayed silent.

Of all days for her to visit Roscente Holdings—she'd stumbled upon their loan shark dealings.