Chapter 362

Bianca trembled as she lifted her tear-filled eyes. "Ethan, why?"

Why wouldn't he even touch her?

Why wasn't she worthy enough to offer herself to him?

Her voice shook. "I've never been with anyone else. I'm pure..."

A flicker of mockery flashed in Ethan Roscente's eyes. "Your brother gave his life so you could live, and this is how you repay him?"

"This isn't disgraceful!" She lunged forward, clutching his leg. "I love you! I'd give anything to stay by your side! I don't care about status, or how many women you have..."

His gaze turned icy. "For your brother's sake, I'll pretend I didn't hear that."

Bianca let out a hysterical sob. "Why won't you take me?"

He leaned down, gripping her chin. "Looking at you doesn't even stir the most basic physical reaction in me."

The words struck her like a slap.

She staggered back, her face drained of color.

Ethan shoved her away. "Get out."

When she didn't move, disgust filled his eyes. "Disappear in three seconds, or I'll cut off all your funding."

Bianca flinched. She scrambled to her feet and fled.

That funding was her last shred of dignity.

Without it, she'd be reduced to a pitiful joke again.

Once the door closed, Ethan strode to the bathroom.

The water stopped. He emerged, towel-drying his hair, and tossed his discarded clothes—along with the suit jacket—into the trash.

Lighting a cigarette, he poured himself a glass of whiskey.

Amid the swirling smoke, he emptied the entire bottle into the trash bin, drenching the carpet Bianca had touched.

The lighter traced an arc through the air.

Flames erupted, illuminating his sharp profile.

The memory of Sophia Lowell walking away without a backward glance made him yank his robe collar open in irritation.

Firelight danced in his dark eyes.

Tonight, he'd force her to reveal her true colors.

Only when the carpet had burned to ashes did he stub out his cigarette and call Zachary Evans. "Send a construction crew here tomorrow."

Zachary was baffled.

What madness had seized his boss now?

Sophia couldn't shake her unease all evening.

By the time she left the bar, it was nearly midnight.

The cold wind whipped at her coat as she hurried into her apartment building.

The elevator doors slid open—

A large hand yanked her into the emergency stairwell.

The familiar scent of cedar enveloped her.

Ethan pinned her against the wall, his burning palm locking around her wrist.

He leaned in, his obsidian eyes churning with danger.