Chapter 174
Ethan's slender fingers lightly traced her palm, sending an electric jolt through Sophia. She instinctively tried to pull her hand away.
"What's wrong?" Ethan chuckled darkly, his thumb stroking the delicate skin of her inner wrist. "I thought Miss Lowell adored these hands?"
Felix whistled. "Can't blame her. Those are some impressive hands, Roscente."
Sophia's ears burned.
This was clearly retaliation for her previous comment about his hands.
"Pleasure doing business." She gritted her teeth through the handshake, immediately attempting to withdraw.
"Ethan!"
Isabella's voice cut through the air behind them.
Sophia turned to see the socialite's perfectly made-up face contort with rage. Those meticulously lined eyes locked onto their joined hands, her manicured nails digging into her own palms.
"Miss Lowell is here too." Isabella forced a smile, striding forward to cling to Ethan's arm. "I was filming nearby and heard you were closing a deal."
She emphasized "personal assistant" with venom, pressing her body flush against Ethan's.
Ethan glanced down. "Weren't you scheduled until evening?"
"I missed you." Isabella batted her lashes, voice dripping honey. "Even the director said my performance was exceptional today."
Sophia turned away, pretending to discuss contract details with Vincent.
Yet Ethan's low laugh still reached her ears.
"Needy, aren't we?"
"You don't like it?"
"What do you think?"
Sophia's nails bit into her palms. Staring blankly at the contract, all she saw was Isabella's triumphant gaze wrapped around Ethan's arm.
"Miss Lowell?" Vincent's puzzled voice snapped her back.
She realized she'd been death-gripping the pen.
Taking a steadying breath, she forced herself to focus on the paperwork.
Behind her, Isabella's saccharine laughter mingled with Ethan's uncharacteristically tender responses.
Sophia pressed her tongue between her teeth.
The man who only ever gave her cold indifference now showered another woman with warmth.
Her fists clenched until half-moon indents marked her palms.