Chapter 52

Ethan Roscente sat in the airport VIP lounge.

His fingers glided over his phone screen.

Thirty minutes until boarding.

His brow furrowed slightly.

Flight information flickered on the display.

Suddenly, his movements stilled.

Sebastian Evans had updated his social media with a new photo.

Azure sea, clear blue sky, a setting sun.

The caption read—

["The weather in the Maldives is perfect. Most importantly, I got to meet the person I wanted to see."]

The comments section was already exploding.

User A commented: ["Seb, off on a holiday to hunt?"]

Sebastian Evans replied: ["Hunting is casting a wide net. I prefer precision fishing."]

User B chimed in: ["Sounds like someone's got a target, Mr. Evans?"]

Sebastian Evans responded with a grinning emoji.

...

Ethan's expression darkened.

Teasing remarks from mutual friends kept flooding the feed.

His fingertips pressed into the phone, turning white.

The boarding announcement echoed through the lounge.

He put his phone away and picked up his jacket.

Just as he pushed open the lounge door, a figure flung herself into his arms.

Isabella Langley looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with delight.

"Baby, you're the best."

She waved her boarding pass.

"I just mentioned once that I'd never been to the Maldives. You actually remembered."

Ethan's body went rigid.

Isabella continued excitedly, "The overwater bungalows open right onto the sea. Falling asleep to the sound of waves, waking up to watch the sunrise…"

He cut her off. "I need to use the restroom."

He turned and walked toward a corner.

The moment the call connected, his voice was icy.

"Liam Evans. Just say it if you want to be fired."

His assistant panicked. "Mr. Roscente, what do you mean?"

"I only booked one ticket."

Liam immediately apologized. "I'm sorry, it was an oversight."

Ethan ended the call.

Isabella waited by the door, rushing to meet him as he emerged.

"It's almost time to board."

Ethan's face was impassive. "Let's go."

The mistake was made. He had to roll with it.

Isabella skipped happily behind him.

She had applied meticulous makeup.

Her suitcase was stuffed with sexy swimwear.

He hadn't touched her since that one accidental night.

This trip might be a chance to change that…

The plane landed. A seaplane transferred them to the resort island.

Isabella held up her phone, constantly filming.

Suddenly she realized they had never taken a picture together.

She discreetly turned the camera toward Ethan.

The man was yawning, looking tired.

Noticing the lens, his face fell. He raised a hand to block it.

"Baby, let's take a photo together?"

"I don't like having my picture taken."

He closed his eyes, ignoring her.

Isabella bit her lower lip. The light in her eyes dimmed.

Hotel staff greeted them warmly.

Ethan walked toward the elevators, then stopped dead.

Sebastian Evans stepped out of an elevator.

A floral shirt and board shorts, worn with an air of effortless style.

Their eyes met.

Sebastian raised an eyebrow and approached, sunglasses hooked on his finger.

"Hi. Here for vacation?"

Ethan's expression was blank. "What a coincidence."

"Fate?" Sebastian chuckled lightly. "Though I arrived a day earlier."

Ethan's gaze turned frosty. "The false intel bought me some time. But you being early doesn't seem to have helped your cause?"

Sebastian's smile tightened slightly.

"No amount of scheming will work." Ethan's tone was definitive. "As long as I'm here, you two will never happen."

Sebastian glanced at Isabella, his meaning clear. "You never know until you try. People change."

He reached out to clap Ethan's shoulder, but Ethan moved away.

"Enjoy your vacation." Sebastian wasn't offended.

Ethan smirked coldly. "Some people probably won't enjoy it much."

He turned and entered the elevator.

Isabella hurried after him, her fingers tightening nervously.

The elevator doors opened.

Ethan withdrew his arm from her grasp. "Entertain yourself."

He walked away without looking back.

...

Sophia Sullivan examined the fox mask in her hands.

Intricate carvings, complex craftsmanship.

The eyes were strikingly lifelike.

"Where did this come from?" She looked at Olivia Lopez.

The mask fit perfectly, covering the upper half of her face.

It complemented her jawline flawlessly.

"The hotel is hosting a masquerade ball tonight." Olivia smiled. "I picked this little fox especially for you."

Sophia wore a red and white maxi dress today.

A pearl hair clip tucked behind her ear, a red pendant dangling near her temple.

It harmonized beautifully with the mask.