Chapter 55

Sophia's eyes glimmered as she suddenly adopted a wounded expression. "Zachary, are you complaining that Mr. Roscente assigned you too much work? He's clearly grooming you for greater things. How could you misinterpret his intentions like this?"

Zachary Evans looked utterly baffled. When had he ever said such a thing?

He frantically waved his hands. "Mr. Roscente, I would never mean it that way!"

Sophia sighed dramatically. "So you're saying I'm falsely accusing you now?"

Zachary was speechless.

Her manipulation skills were truly masterful.

Since when did Mr. Roscente have a taste for this?

Ethan Roscente watched coldly, his long fingers swiftly navigating Sophia's phone before tossing it back to her. "Block me again, and I'll make sure you can't even log in."

Sophia glanced at the forcibly unblocked WeChat contact and scoffed.

As if she couldn't just create a new account.

Back at Bayview Residences, she stormed straight to her bedroom.

The man stared at her retreating figure, irritably loosening his tie and flinging it onto the counter. He poured himself a glass of whiskey and took a slow sip.

His fingers tapped rhythmically against the bar.

On the fifteenth tap, Sophia burst out, furious. "Give it back!"

"What?"

"My Pixiu pendant."

"Oh. That hideous thing."

He feigned realization.

Sophia's eye twitched as she suppressed her rage. "Yes, that hideous thing you mentioned. Now return it."

Ethan studied her flushed cheeks, his Adam's apple bobbing. He swirled his glass. "You want it that badly?"

"Yes."

He retrieved another glass, poured half the amber liquid into it, and slid it toward her. "If you want a favor, show some sincerity first."

Sophia stared at the drink.

The alcohol content was dangerously high—two sips would leave her dizzy. Worse, her stomach condition hadn't fully recovered. She couldn't risk drinking.

Now she understood. Tonight was a trap.

"That belongs to me."

"But you threw it away, didn't you?" His gaze burned. "If you discarded it, how can you claim ownership now?"

"I just forgot to take it." She gritted her teeth. "Ethan, stop being unreasonable."

"Prove it's yours. Is your name engraved on it?"

Sophia took a deep breath.

In a battle of wits, she'd never win against him.

"You're doing this on purpose." She smirked coldly. "Once wasn't enough? You need a second round?"

He suddenly closed the distance between them. "How am I bullying you? All I asked was for you to drink as a gesture. Since when is that mistreatment? Sophia, be reasonable."

She turned her face away. "My stomach is acting up. I can't drink."

"Fine. Another way, then." His tone softened unexpectedly.

"What way?"

"Ever heard of an indirect kiss?"