Chapter 62

The motion-sensor light flickered erratically before dying with a sharp electrical buzz.

The slap echoed through the stairwell.

Ethan Roscente turned his head slightly, tongue probing his numb cheek. His thumb came away smeared with blood when he wiped his lip.

A low chuckle escaped him, his eyes glacial. "Sophia, you've got nerve."

Her entire body trembled, palm stinging from the impact.

The air grew thick with tension.

"You crossed the line first." She forced herself to meet his gaze, voice shaking. "Next time, it won't just be a slap."

His grip tightened on her chin. "Planning to kill me now?"

Moonlight slanted through the window, illuminating her pale face.

Abruptly, he released her and stepped back, adjusting his cufflinks. "Leaking my private number, plus this little stunt." His lips curled into a cold smile. "My lawyer will contact you tomorrow."

Sophia pressed against the wall, nails digging into her palms.

"As for those twenty million," he looked down at her with disdain, "every cent will be repaid with interest."

His footsteps faded down the stairs.

Her legs gave out, sliding down the wall until she sat crumpled on the floor.

A bottle of prenatal vitamins rolled from her spilled shopping bag, glinting faintly in the moonlight.

Inside the black Maybach, Ethan lit a cigarette.

"Mr. Roscente?" His assistant's puzzled voice came through the phone.

"Run a financial audit tomorrow." He exhaled smoke, watching a window light up above them. "An old debt."

At 5 AM, her phone rang sharply.

"Ms. Lowell, I'm Mr. Roscente's attorney." The polite male voice continued, "Regarding compensation, we should meet today."

Sophia jerked upright, startling the calico cat at her feet.

"If I repay everything," she clutched the sheets, "he'll leave me alone?"

A pause.

"Mr. Roscente only said to settle accounts properly."