Chapter 128

"Sorry, I'm on antibiotics for a cold." Sophia Lowell lifted her teacup, fingers trembling slightly.

Ethan Roscente tapped the table with his long fingers, his gaze darkening. "The same excuse isn't funny the second time."

Isabella Valentine's grip on her wineglass turned white-knuckled. When had these two gotten close again?

"Miss Lowell," she said, red lips parting, "it's rather rude to toast your elders with tea."

The air in the private room turned icy.

Sophia's cup hovered midair, her wrist already aching. Ethan's stare cut across her face like a blade.

"Mr. Roscente—" Theodore Orlando began, only to be silenced by his brother's sharp look.

Sebastian Valdemar raised his glass instead. "Let me drink in my junior's stead."

The crystal glasses clinked. Ethan watched him drain the wine in one go, then smirked.

"And what capacity are you drinking in, Professor Valdemar?" His fingers traced the rim of his glass. "Colleague? Or... boyfriend?"

Sophia suddenly clutched Sebastian's sleeve.

Memories of the Clementsons' fate sent cold sweat down her spine. "I'll drink," she whispered, voice shaking.

Sebastian frowned. "But you're—"

"Sebastian!" She cut him off, eyes reddening. "It's just one glass."

Ethan's chest tightened at her tearful expression. But when she turned to Sebastian with that trusting gaze, the anger flared again.

"Professor Valdemar trains his students well." He slammed his glass onto the lazy susan with a cold laugh. "Such an obedient protégé."

Theodore forced a chuckle while mentally cursing the entire Roscente lineage.