Chapter 66

The office air conditioning was blasting, yet Sophia Lowell felt feverish all over.

Her nails dug half-moon marks into her palms as she stared at her phone screen. Isabella Valentine's suggestive "He's busy" voice message pierced her heart like a thorn.

"Put him on the phone." Sophia's voice turned glacial.

Rustling sounds came through the receiver, mingled with a man's labored breathing. Isabella giggled. "Ethan is...indisposed at the moment."

Sophia slammed the phone onto the sofa. As she turned to leave, a familiar document on the desk caught her eye—the loan agreement Simon Sherwood had shown her earlier.

Compelled by some unseen force, she flipped to the last page. Beside Ethan Roscente's flamboyant signature sat Isabella's elegant handwriting—"Guarantor."

"So that's it." Sophia's lips curled into a bitter smile. No wonder the interest rates were astronomical—someone had been pulling strings behind the scenes.

She snapped several photos of the contract with her phone. Just as she turned to leave, the office door swung open.

Ethan stood framed in the doorway, his tailored suit impeccable but his tie hanging loose. His gaze darkened when it landed on the document in her hand.

"Who gave you permission to touch my things?"

Sophia lifted her chin. "A sixty-million loan shark deal. How resourceful of you, Mr. Roscente."

He strode forward and seized her wrist. "About Isabella—I can explain."

"Don't bother." She wrenched free. "I'll repay every cent."

As she turned to leave, Ethan yanked her back and pinned her against the wall. His breath carried a hint of alcohol as his thumb brushed her reddened eyelid.

"Jealous?"

Sophia averted her face. "You flatter yourself."

Ethan chuckled darkly before sweeping her into his arms. "Then let me show you what I've really been busy with."

The lounge door crashed open as he tossed her onto the plush bed. Before she could rise, his weight pressed her down, his tie binding her wrists.

"Isabella just brought hangover soup." His teeth grazed her earlobe. "Now it's time to collect interest."

Sophia's eyes widened as he retrieved an insurance policy from the drawer. Ethan flipped it open deliberately, tapping a specific clause.

"Read carefully. See who's listed as beneficiary."

Black ink spelled out "Sophia Lowell" in bold letters.

Her breath hitched as realization dawned. Ethan brushed his lips against hers. "Sixty million to own you forever? Worth every penny."