Chapter 303

Ethan's Adam's apple bobbed as he turned away, his voice icy. "Hurry up, or I'll think you're trying to seduce me."

Sophia's cheeks burned. She wanted nothing more than to kick this narcissist across the room.

His fingers tightened around her wrist in silent warning.

Defiant, she yanked off her lace bra and flung it at his face. "Go dry your hair!"

Before he could react, she darted into the bathroom like a startled rabbit.

To her surprise, silence greeted her from the other side.

Ethan plucked the delicate garment from his face, fingertips tracing the intricate embroidery. His gaze darkened as he glanced toward the bathroom before switching the hair dryer back on.

Morning sunlight streamed through the curtains when Sophia awoke to an empty bed. For once, Ethan hadn't disturbed her—a rare chance to sleep in.

Wrapped in blankets, she scrolled through her phone. Vivian Ashcroft dominated every trending topic.

#VivianTheWildBeauty

#JasonVivianCoupleGoals

#VivianRedefinesSanity

#VivianSlaysTheFakeInnocent

#QueenVivian

The barrage of hashtags made Sophia's head spin.

Each click revealed last night's explosive reality show episode where Vivian had unleashed her unfiltered self—obliterating production tricks and Isabella Valentine's manipulative antics with savage wit.

Audiences ate it up. Ratings skyrocketed, and the director scrambled to feature Vivian more. The wilder she acted, the more fans adored her.

"Damn, Viv!" Sophia dialed her friend immediately. "You crushed it!"

"Finally my big break!" Vivian's triumphant laugh crackled through the speaker. "Should've stopped playing nice years ago! My inbox is flooded—all thanks to you!"

Watching sunlight dance across the garden, Sophia smiled. Her best friend had weathered the storm.

"Speaking of storms," Vivian dropped her voice, "that Roscente bastard behaving? Use the taser I gave you if—"

Sophia swallowed hard, eyeing the confiscation notice for said taser. "All good here."

After hanging up, she padded barefoot to the floor-to-ceiling windows. Last night's storm had scrubbed the sky clean. Sunbeams pierced the clouds, gilding tulips swaying in the breeze.

Stretching, Sophia inhaled the floral-scented air.