Chapter 453

Ethan Roscente stood before the full-length mirror, fingertips lightly tracing the corners of his eyes.

"Zachary, do I look older lately?" he asked abruptly.

Zachary Evans nearly dropped the tie pin in his hand.

"Mr. Roscente, you're in the prime of your life. How could you be old?" He forced a smile.

Ethan stared at his reflection, brow furrowed.

During last night's video conference, he'd caught Sophia Lowell secretly screenshotting him. Zooming in, that faint wrinkle on the screen had kept him awake all night.

"Buy me ten boxes of face masks," he ordered coldly.

Zachary's eyes widened. "Ten boxes?"

"Problem?"

"N-no! I'll get it done immediately!"

Meanwhile, Sophia stood in the underground garage, absently rubbing her phone case.

"Director Laurent, weren't you leading the site inspection today?" she whispered.

Vincent Laurent looked equally confused. "Mr. Roscente made a last-minute decision."

A black Maybach glided up, the window lowering to reveal Ethan's sharply defined profile.

Sophia's breath hitched.

He looked unusually... polished today? Even his hair gleamed with meticulously styled perfection.

"Get in," the man said tonelessly.

Sophia opened her mouth to refuse when Zachary cut in, "Miss Lowell, all the project documents are in Mr. Roscente's car."

Reluctantly, she slid into the backseat.

The cabin carried a faint cedarwood scent mixed with some expensive skincare product.

Ethan kept his eyes fixed on the tablet, long fingers swiping across the screen.

Sophia stole a glance and noticed the thin sheet mask beneath his eyes.

"See something interesting?" he said suddenly.

She jerked her gaze away. "N-nothing."

Ethan gave a quiet hum, peeling off the mask to reveal skin more radiant than usual.

"We're here," the driver announced.

Sophia practically bolted for the door when Ethan caught her wrist.

"Stay close to me," he murmured. "Someone's been eyeing this project."

Her pulse jumped.

So... that's why he came personally?

Before she could process it, he released her, his expression reverting to its usual icy detachment.

"Stop dawdling," he said without turning back, striding toward the construction site.

Sophia hurried after him, missing the fleeting curve of his lips.