Chapter 194

The contact name on the phone screen burned her eyes.

"Darling" stabbed her heart like a knife.

Her fingers turned white from gripping the phone too tightly.

So Ethan Roscente was capable of such endearments.

No wonder he'd defended Sophia Lowell so fiercely. They'd been sneaking around all along.

Memories flashed through her mind—Ethan avoiding her, then imagining him tangled in sheets with Sophia. Her chest heaved violently.

Sophia!

You bitch!

You'll pay for this!

Ethan slid into the car and ripped off his tie, tossing it onto the seat.

"Get rid of it," he ordered coldly.

Zachary Evans caught the expensive suit jacket with a silent sigh. The boss had been discarding clothes at an alarming rate lately.

"Mr. Roland said the design draft was sent to Luming Studio. They'll submit the initial version for your review."

Ethan gave an absentminded hum, his gaze fixed on his phone.

"Mr. Roscente."

Simon Sherwood's voice came through the line.

Ethan tapped his knee with slender fingers. "Her reaction?"

"Miss Lowell is furious."

The corner of his mouth lifted. "Good."

If she insisted on drawing boundaries, he'd play hardball.

Either she returned to him willingly, or drowned in debt.

He was certain Sophia would choose the former.

After hanging up, he stared at his screen, waiting for her plea.

But instead of a call, a bank notification popped up.

Six million dollars.

Ethan's expression darkened instantly.

"Sir..." Zachary spoke cautiously. "Miss Lowell texted me."

His voice turned icy. "Read it."

Zachary swallowed. "'Debt cleared. Keep your word and stop clinging to me like a pathetic leech...'"

The air in the car turned arctic.

"Continue."

Sweat beaded on Zachary's forehead as he scanned the string of vulgar insults. "Th-that's all..."

Ethan suddenly laughed lowly, his eyes glacial.

"Perfect."