Chapter 34

Ethan Roscente's fingers tightened around his phone as Felix Roland's teasing voice came through.

"Just spotted your little wife."

A deliberate pause.

"Dressed to kill, shaking it on the dance floor like she owns the place."

Ethan's knuckles turned white.

"Need me to gouge your eyes out?"

Felix's laugh grated on his nerves.

"Won't change the fact every man in there's staring. Better hurry unless you want a new brother-in-law tonight."

Ice formed in Ethan's gaze.

Felix wisely rattled off an address before hanging up.

Chairs scraped as Ethan stood abruptly.

"Felix's mother found him another stepfather," he deadpanned.

Mr. Roscente Sr. bristled.

"You're leaving over this? We're discussing your engagement!"

"At a nightclub," Ethan clarified.

The old man's expression shifted instantly.

"Go! Before that Roland fool causes another scandal."

Isabella Valentine reached out with a gentle touch.

"Let me come with you, Ethan."

His dismissive glance cut deep.

"Not your scene."

"Quite right," the patriarch agreed.

Isabella's smile faltered only briefly before resuming its practiced grace.

Sophia Lowell emerged from the dancing crowd, forehead glistening.

In the VIP booth, male escorts swarmed Vivian Ashcroft like bees to honey.

A million dollars vanished in fifteen minutes.

Sophia sipped milk in the corner.

This place devoured money faster than water down a drain.

While Vivian drank freely, pregnancy restricted Sophia to dairy.

She excused herself for air.

Leaning against the railing, she watched the crowd below.

"Sophia?"

Her body locked at the familiar voice.

Daniel Clementson's smarmy grin made her stomach turn.

Terrible luck.

She turned to leave but he blocked her path.

"Running away?" His voice oozed false charm.

"Move."

She sidestepped only to be blocked again.