Chapter 109

The elevator doors slid shut as Sophia Lowell stood motionless.

She didn't want to go back. Nor did she want to leave.

Ethan Roscente emerged from the stairwell just as the elevator closed. His brow furrowed as he knocked on Sophia's door.

No answer.

The elderly neighbor across the hall peeked out. "Young man, Sophia isn't home yet."

Ethan froze.

She'd clearly said she was already back when they spoke on the phone.

The elevator ascended to the penthouse. When the doors opened, Isabella Valentine stood outside.

"Sophia?" She feigned surprise. "You live here too?"

Sophia shot her a cold glance. "Coming up?"

Isabella's assistant immediately curled her lip in disdain. "Our Ms. Valentine would never squeeze into this kind of elevator."

"Then keep waiting." Sophia pressed the close button, watching Isabella's stiff expression with quiet satisfaction.

Vivian Ashcroft texted to invite her for dinner. Sophia agreed without hesitation.

At the restaurant, Vivian instantly read her mood.

"Did that bastard Ethan upset you again?"

Sophia recounted the elevator incident.

Vivian slammed the table. "That two-timing dog!"

"Even time-management gurus would bow to his skills." Sophia laughed bitterly.

"And you're laughing?" Vivian glared. "I'd have thrown boiling water in his face!"

Remembering her last stint in detention, she quickly shrank back.

"But if that green-tea bitch really lives in your building..." Vivian suddenly lowered her voice. "Did you hear about Daniel Clementson's mother?"

Sophia's fingers twitched. "What happened?"

"Someone threw her off the Bay Bridge last night." Vivian whispered dramatically. "When they fished her out, her stomach was swollen like a balloon."

"Who did it?" Sophia's voice tightened.