Chapter 480

A flicker of disappointment crossed Ethan Roscente's eyes. He'd expected something more special for their date.

"Just this?" His reply was half-hearted.

"Don't you have exams to proctor this afternoon?"

Sophia Lowell shook her head. "I need to visit Napa Valley."

His brows knitted at the rustic name. "What business do you have in a place like that?"

"Luming Studio secured the Bay Bridge Project. We need to acquire land from the villagers." She sighed. "They agreed on compensation, but now they're backtracking, citing ancestral graves. Rerouting would cost millions."

Rubbing her temples, she added, "I have to assess the site and see if we can modify the design."

Ethan scoffed. "Since when do architects double as demolition crews? Did the client run out of staff—or drop dead?"

Sophia clapped a hand over his mouth. "Hush! This is a government project with tight budgets. Keep talking like that, and you'll get arrested."

He arched a brow, unimpressed. "Who'd dare?"

Truthfully, no one would touch the city's top taxpayer.

Their car stopped outside a bustling restaurant. Ethan's expression darkened at the crowded entrance. "This is where you're treating me?"

The noise reminded him of street vendors.

Sophia, accustomed to his fastidiousness, shrugged. "The food here is amazing. Leave if it's beneath you."

Without waiting, she strode inside.

Ethan gritted his teeth but followed.

"Table for two?" a waiter greeted cheerfully.

Sophia held up one finger deliberately. "One—"

Feeling his murderous glare, she slowly added a second finger. "Two."

Amid the din, they were led to a corner table.

"Scan the QR code to order," the waiter said before rushing off.

As Sophia pulled out her phone, Ethan remained standing.

"What now?"

He eyed the greasy table with distaste. "Filthy."

"It's clean," she argued. "They just wiped it."

His nose wrinkled. "It's stained."

Resigned, Sophia sighed. "Wait here."

She dashed to a convenience store for disinfectant wipes, scrubbing every inch of the table three times. Only then did Ethan deign to sit.

"I ordered their specialties. Want anything else?"

He sipped from the cup she'd sterilized with boiling water. "Whatever."

The dishes arrived swiftly. Sophia eagerly picked up a piece of green tea roasted chicken, savoring the aroma.

Noticing Ethan hadn't touched his chopsticks, she nudged. "Try it! It's delicious."