Chapter 299

"Thank you, doctor."

Zachary Evans watched the physician leave, his brow slightly furrowed.

Ethan Roscente noticed his unease. "Problem?"

"Nothing." Zachary shook his head, though privately puzzled. He distinctly remembered requesting a female doctor.

Ethan pushed open the door to Sophia Lowell's room.

The sedative had taken effect, leaving Sophia in deep slumber. He sat by the bed, brushing stray hairs from her forehead with slender fingers. Her pallor tightened his chest.

"Arrange security for her," he murmured.

"Understood."

Dreams surged like tidal waves. Sophia found herself dragged into dark waters, suffocation clawing at her lungs. She jolted awake, gasping.

"Nightmare?"

Ethan's voice startled her. She turned to meet those fathomless eyes and nodded shakily. "Someone was pulling me underwater again."

His fingers twitched. Shadows darkened his gaze. He gripped her chin, voice turning icy. "Your own fault. I told you to stay with me, but you insisted on seeing Theodore."

She slapped his hand away. "Maybe it's your people who want me dead!"

"Isabella?" Ethan frowned, pulling out a cigarette before tossing it in the trash. "Not her."

"Who else?" Sophia sneered. "This isn't the first time you've protected her."

"I said it wasn't her." His tone dropped dangerously as he seized her chin again.

She turned her face away, shutting him out.

Suddenly, Ethan hauled her onto his lap, stroking her hair. "Enough. Let's eat."

"Go find your precious Isabella!" She struggled to escape.

"Jealous?"

"I put vinegar in noodles, not men!" Her traitorous stomach growled mid-sentence.

Ethan smirked. "Kitchen closes at ten. It's 8:30 now. Starve all night if you prefer."

Sophia: "..."