Chapter 328

Playing It Safe?

"That's just how she is. The more pressure she's under, the calmer she gets," Ethan Roscente said suddenly.

Fiona Valentine's lips curved slightly. "During the tour earlier, I noticed the lab wasn't just designed with workspaces. There's a lounge area, and they even included a kitchen…"

Ethan's gaze flickered. He spoke a few more words without thinking. "Because Sophia enjoys cooking. She has a real talent for it. Whenever she tries a dish she likes at a restaurant, she'll spend days figuring out how to make it. If a recipe and a video tutorial don't match up, she'll make both versions to see which one tastes better…"

"She must be very meticulous," Fiona remarked.

A faint smile touched Ethan's lips. His eyes grew distant with memory. "Yes. She's not just meticulous, but incredibly thoughtful too. She's always the first to notice if someone isn't feeling well… She knows where every single thing in the house is, down to the smallest decorative item or dish…"

"The medicine cabinet is impeccably organized by her. Fever reducers, anti-inflammatories, stomach medicine, cough syrup… you name it, it's there."

Fiona watched the man, a smile on his lips as he lost himself in the past. She unconsciously bit her lower lip.

"It sounds like… you had a wonderful past together…"

Ethan seemed not to hear her. He continued softly, "...She's neat, likes the slippers lined up perfectly. I'm more casual, not big on tidying. We argued about it a lot. But she always found a way to make me apologize. Sometimes with logic, sometimes by being coy, sometimes by just launching herself at me to shut me up…"

The light in his eyes grew brighter, but his voice cut off abruptly.

The sweetness of those memories constantly reminded him of what he had lost.

The flood of recollection brought a surge of regret with it.

Ethan felt a tightness in his chest, almost suffocating.

He looked up sharply and met Fiona's inquisitive gaze. He snapped back to reality.

Realizing he had said too much, he immediately fell silent.

Fiona watched as the man withdrew from his memories, rebuilding his defenses, transforming back into the unapproachable Mr. Roscente.

"...My apologies."

"Why are you apologizing?" Fiona asked.

"For talking too much."

"It's fine. I'm happy to listen, as long as you're willing to talk."

Ethan was silent for a moment before changing the subject. "Thank you for today."

"We agreed I'd help you reconcile with Sophia Sullivan. The lab unveiling was a chance to meet, but… it doesn't seem to have had much effect?"

Ethan lowered his gaze, his profile stern.

"Even if it didn't work—" Fiona's tone shifted, becoming playful, "I still put in the effort. Is a simple 'thank you' really enough?"

Ethan looked up. "I'll have my assistant transfer—" the money to you.

"I don't want money."

He frowned.

Fiona sighed softly. "You've already given me more than enough. I should be the one saying thank you. How about a meal this time? I skipped lunch, and I'm absolutely starving now."

Ethan was puzzled. "With money, you can get anything to eat."

"It's not the same!" Fiona insisted. "Right now, I can hitch a ride with you straight to a restaurant. If I take the money, I have to figure out what to eat, where to go, how to get there… It's a hassle!"

Ethan didn't understand, but he respected her choice. "Alright. But think it through. A meal versus a sum of money. The latter is worth more."

"I've thought about it. I want the meal!"

Ethan instructed the driver, "Turn around. Head to The Galleria."

"Right away, Mr. Roscente."

…

The meal proceeded pleasantly enough, largely due to the relaxed atmosphere Fiona deliberately cultivated.

During it, however, Ethan ordered a bottle of red wine.

By the time the bottle was empty, he was long past his limit, his eyes glazed over.

Seeing his state, Fiona had no choice but to help him into the car first.

The driver looked surprised. "Mr. Roscente, he's…"

"He had too much to drink. Please take him home," Fiona said.

The driver suddenly spoke up. "Will you be accompanying him, Ms. Valentine?"

Fiona was taken aback.

"Don't misunderstand," the driver quickly added. "Martha has already clocked out for the day. The mansion is empty. Mr. Roscente will need someone to look after him in this state. If you don't mind…"

"Of course I don't mind. Let's go," Fiona said.

With that, she got into the car as well.

Soon, the driver dropped them off and left.

Fiona helped Ethan inside. Just as the driver said, the house was dark and completely empty.

She settled him on the living room sofa and finally let out a breath of relief.

The man seemed restless in his sleep, eyes closed, brow tightly furrowed.

Seeing his discomfort, Fiona helped him out of his jacket and undid the top buttons of his shirt.

This seemed to make him more comfortable.

His brow gradually relaxed.

Fiona checked the time. It was almost ten. She went into the kitchen. After some soft noises, she came out with a glass of warm water and placed it on the coffee table.

Then, she fetched a pillow and gently placed it under his head.

Finally, she felt Ethan's forehead to confirm he didn't have a fever before quietly taking her leave.

The sound of the door closing was unusually clear in the silent night.

The moment she left, the man on the sofa opened his eyes.

That's right. Ethan wasn't drunk at all.

He had done this to test Fiona.

When she said she didn't want money, his guard shot up immediately.

A woman who doesn't want money only wants something more.

Like feelings?

Or perhaps, marriage or status?

This kind of test might seem excessive, but Ethan felt it necessary.

He didn't want to get entangled with another Isabella Langley.

At least for now, Fiona seemed to be playing it safe.

…

MIT, School of Life Sciences, Deputy Dean's office.

Blake Cunningham looked expressionlessly at the woman before him.

Overnight, Victoria Lowell had gained a haggard look.

Her eyes were half-lowered, none of her usual arrogance remaining.

"...Deputy Dean Cunningham, what did the President say?"

Blake's voice was cold. "You have the nerve to ask?! At an event like yesterday's, in front of so many colleagues and reporters, you actually rushed up to confront Sophia Sullivan! Were you afraid people wouldn't know you were the one behind all the trouble?!"

"I… I didn't think she'd actually gotten the approval…"

"You didn't think?! Did you think they could actually build that lab? And what was the result? Not only did they build it, but everyone came to celebrate! That's when you should have been cautious! You should have realized Sophia Sullivan and her team weren't bluffing; they have real capability!"

"But what did you do? You kept being foolish! You kept causing trouble! You kept making problems for me! Now you've messed up so badly the President knows about it. Something that could have been swept under the rug is now public knowledge. There's no protecting you now!"

Victoria's expression tightened. "What do you mean? What did the administration say?"