Chapter 271

Tyler Galatea's knees buckled, and he collapsed heavily onto the floor.

Ethan Roscente turned to leave, but his peripheral vision caught Sophia Lowell standing motionless. She was eyeing the kneeling Tyler with undisguised amusement, her lips curling in silent schadenfreude.

"Planning to stay the night, Ms. Lowell?" His lips quirked.

Sophia jolted and hurried after him. "This place isn't my style."

After seeing Oliver Alpinus off, Sophia tried to put distance between them—only for Ethan's arm to snake around her waist, pulling her flush against him. His voice dripped with mockery. "Quite the charmer, aren't you? Flowers seem to follow wherever you go."

"..."

Sophia rolled her eyes internally. You can have this "charm" if you want it.

She twisted to escape, but he anticipated the move. His hand slid up her spine, pressing just enough to send her tumbling into his chest.

"You hit me with impressive force before," Ethan murmured, fingers tracing her vertebrae. "Why go easy on that idiot? Couldn't bear to hurt him?"

Her teeth ground together. Of course he'd hold a grudge over that slap.

Pushing against his chest to rise, the angle made it look like she was leaning in for a kiss. A shadow shifted at the corridor's end—someone raising a phone.

"Mr. Roscente, this is inappropriate." She turned her face away, lashes fluttering.

His fingertips danced along her spine, igniting tremors. Her legs weakened, cheeks flushing crimson.

"Answer the question." His tone turned glacial.

Sophia bit her lip. "Playing hard to get only works on humans... Does he even qualify?"

Ethan's gaze locked onto her damp eyes, his Adam's apple bobbing. That rabbit-in-headlights look made him want to torment her further.

"If I catch you attracting more flies," his grip tightened, "you'll learn the consequences firsthand."

Sophia pouted. "But he was the one who—"

"Hmm?" The warning hum lifted.

She swallowed her protest. "Understood."

Only then did he release her. As he turned away, a dark glint flashed in his eyes. Around the corner, the eavesdropper examined the captured photos, lips curling in triumph.