Chapter 32
He pushed open the bedroom door.
Ethan Roscente frantically yanked open the wardrobe.
He rushed into Sophia Sullivan's walk-in closet.
Designer handbags were neatly arranged.
High-end gowns remained untouched.
The watches and jewelry he had given her lay quietly in their velvet boxes.
Not a single item was missing.
His gaze abruptly fixed on the cherry bracelet.
His breath hitched.
A terrifying ferocity churned in the depths of his eyes.
It was from their third year together.
A birthday gift he had specially brought back from abroad.
Cherry in English is 'cherry'.
It sounds like 'cherish'.
It symbolized treasuring someone.
She was the one he cherished most.
Back then, she adored it.
She wore it day and night, never taking it off.
Now, even this was left behind.
As if she had completely stripped away her love for him.
Ethan collapsed onto the edge of the bed.
He suddenly realized.
Sophia was never just throwing a tantrum.
Every word she said was meant.
She was serious.
She wanted a clean break.
...
"Crash—"
Martha downstairs heard the tremendous noise.
Frightened, she hurried upstairs.
She nearly collided with Ethan as he stormed out of the walk-in closet.
The man's face was terrifyingly dark.
"Young Master..."
She called out timidly.
He left without even a backward glance.
Martha turned to look into the walk-in closet.
She gasped.
The valuable jewelry cabinet was smashed to pieces.
Clothes with tags still attached were scattered everywhere.
The Bohemian rug was a complete mess.
She had just finished cleaning the kitchen.
She had thrown out that pot of spoiled oatmeal porridge.
Now she had to deal with this bedroom disaster.
Martha thought to herself.
Is a worker's life not a life?!
...
The psychedelic lights swayed.
A tacky song blared loudly.
In the center of the dance floor, men and women were grinding against each other.
In a corner booth.
Ethan Roscente was downing whiskey by himself.
Glass after glass.
It seemed less like drinking and more like venting.
Dim light fell across his face.
His sharp features were shaded with a cold aloofness.
It added a dangerously sexy aura.
Women passing by were drawn to his presence.
Ignoring his clear "stay away" vibe.
They inched closer, tempted.
"Handsome, drinking alone is so boring. Let me keep you company..."
The woman wore a low-cut top.
Leaning forward slightly revealed a generous view.
Her cleavage was enticing.
Any normal man would sneak a second look.
Ethan only gave a cold glance. "Get lost!"
His gaze was deep and frightening.
The woman fled in terror.
After shooing away the annoying pest.
He continued drinking.
A bottle of whiskey was soon finished.
He signaled a server.
In his daze, he caught a glimpse of a familiar figure.
He chased after it like a madman.
Grabbing the woman's arm roughly.
"Soph—"
The woman turned. Seeing a handsome man, her anger melted into a sweet smile as she pressed closer. "Looking for me, handsome?"
Only then did Ethan realize he'd mistaken her.
He frowned, pulling his hand back.
Sophia would never be so forward.
"Sorry, wrong person."
The woman pouted, disappointed.
Watching his retreating back, she muttered, "Turning down an offer like that... is he even a man?"
This place was foul and chaotic.
He couldn't stand it any longer.
He finished the last of his drink.
Picked up his jacket and stood to leave.
Just as he reached the exit, someone called out—
"Ethan!"
Julian Winston excitedly clapped his shoulder. "When did you get here? Why didn't you say hi? We have a private room upstairs, join us for a drink?"
Ethan rubbed his temples. "No more. You guys have fun."
Watching him leave, Julian was puzzled.
He never missed these gatherings before.
Could it be... he made up with Sophia Sullivan?
Right, just got back together, probably can't mess around.
"Julian, what are you looking at? We're only missing you."
Someone called from near the stairs.
Julian shook his head, not thinking further.
He turned back into the noise.
...
He returned to the Beverly Hills mansion by 10 PM.
The bedroom and walk-in closet had been tidied by Martha.
Sophia's things were neatly put away again.
He turned and went to the study.
The wall-to-wall bookshelf was filled with biology textbooks.
Although Sophia didn't pursue a Master's degree.
She never slacked in her field.
She often spent entire days sitting in this study.
These books were all left by her.
She had once proudly boasted.
Which books were out of print.
Which were original editions she had photocopied.
How painstakingly she had categorized them.
She always smiled with curved, happy eyes when talking about her achievements.
He stared heavily at the wall of books.
Suddenly, his eyes darkened, and he smirked coldly.
Ethan went downstairs and found Martha, who was about to leave. "Lend me your phone."
Martha instantly became wary. "Young Master, you broke my phone last time..."
"Didn't you buy a new one?"
Martha hesitated.
"Hand it over."
"I just bought it..." It would hurt if it got smashed!
Ethan said, "I'll have someone deliver two iPhone 16s later."
"Alright!" Martha immediately beamed and handed over the phone.
He turned and called Sophia Sullivan.
Before she could speak, he said first:
"Since you want a clean break, come take away that junk in the study. You have one day. If you don't move it by tomorrow, I'm throwing it all out."
Sophia was stunned.
She quickly understood he meant the professional books.
"...Okay."
She hung up after saying that.
Ethan held the phone.
Hearing the busy tone.
The line of his mouth tightened more and more.
...
Sophia remembered the books were very heavy.
She couldn't move them alone.
She called Olivia Lopez.
"Olivia, are you free tomorrow? I have some books at Ethan Roscente's mansion. Can you drive over and help me move them?"
Olivia naturally agreed. "Sure. You put so much effort into those books. Leaving them with that bastard is a waste. I'll pick you up tomorrow morning."
"Okay."
The next day.
She didn't wait for Olivia.
Instead, Alexander Laurent arrived.
Alexander usually wore dress shirts and slacks.
Exuding a scholarly air.
But today, he wore a simple white T-shirt with light blue jeans.
His soft black hair fell across his forehead.
He looked like a young college student.
"Why is it you? Where's Olivia?" Sophia asked, surprised.
"She overslept. Asked me to come help at the last minute."
Sophia sighed.
No need to guess.
That girl definitely partied too hard last night and couldn't get up.
Well, some help is better than none.
"Thank you for your trouble."