Chapter 40
Ethan Roscente stood frozen.
Fear flashed in Sophia Sullivan's eyes.
She took two steps back.
"Don't come any closer!"
"Sophia..." Ethan's voice was hoarse. "That day, I..."
"Shut up!" Sophia cut him off. "Please leave."
The man's eyes reddened.
He remained rooted to the spot.
"I'm sorry."
"I shouldn't have treated you that way."
"I just missed you too much."
"Come back with me, okay?"
Sophia let out a cold laugh.
"Go back to being the other woman?"
Ethan said urgently, "I'll break up with Isabella Langley."
Sophia shook her head.
"I refuse."
Ethan took a step forward.
Sophia quickly retreated into her bedroom.
The door slammed shut.
Everything outside gradually grew quiet.
Sophia cautiously opened the door to check.
Ethan was asleep, leaning against the wall.
...
Morning sunlight streamed into the living room.
Ethan opened his eyes.
His head was splitting.
He looked around.
The room was small but tidy.
Sophia emerged from the bedroom.
Their eyes met.
"Awake?"
Ethan rubbed his temples.
"Last night..."
Sophia's expression was blank.
"You showed up drunk, banging on the door in the middle of the night."
"You disturbed the neighbors."
Ethan frowned.
He didn't remember any of it.
Sophia's lips curved into a cool smile.
"Please don't ever do that again."
"Adults should know better."
Ethan scanned the room.
A mocking smile appeared on his face.
"This dump."
"I wouldn't come back even if you begged me."
He grabbed his jacket and stormed out, slamming the door.
...
At the mouth of the alley.
Ethan made a call.
"Come out for a drink."
Charlie Lowell soon arrived at the bar.
"Bro, were you up all night?"
Ethan continued pouring drinks.
"Cut the crap."
Charlie raised his hands in surrender.
They drank from day into night.
Charlie hailed a cab to take him back to the Beverly Hills mansion.
While settling him in, he heard drunken muttering.
"Sophia..."
Charlie shook his head helplessly.
He should have thought of that sooner.
...
Sophia gave the room a thorough cleaning.
Her study schedule was completely disrupted.
She managed to complete two sets of practice problems at home.
For dinner, she made herself some sushi rolls.
By the time she finished cleaning up, it was already eight in the evening.
Her phone suddenly vibrated.
A friend request notification appeared.
The note read: Sebastian Evans.
Sophia accepted, puzzled.
There was no message for half an hour.
She returned to her studies.
...
Back at the bar.
Sebastian put his phone away.
Charlie had returned.
"Get him home safe?"
Charlie nodded and took a drink.
"Almost ran into Mrs. Roscente."
"She's been visiting the mansion a lot lately."
Sebastian swirled his glass.
"Come join us when you're done."
Charlie suddenly remembered something.
"Is Sophia done with her exams?"
Sebastian replied casually.
"She finished the day before yesterday."
Charlie laughed.
"You remember clearly."
Sebastian smiled.
"I've always paid attention to details."
Charlie gave a thumbs up.
"True financial elite."
"Are those two still not back together?"
Sebastian's tone was flat.
"It's inevitable."
Charlie's eyes lit up.
"Should I organize a celebration?"
"Maybe help patch things up between them."
Sebastian took a sip of his drink, hiding a smile.
"Good idea."