Chapter 372

"The rich girls have hearts smaller than a needle's eye." Emily Laurent scoffed. "Isn't your third aunt a perfect example? I misspoke once, and she’s held a grudge ever since."

The memory of Isabella Valentine falsely accusing Sophia Lowell of leaking company secrets made her blood boil. "That woman is vicious. Framing you for corporate espionage? She wanted to send you to prison! And I actually thought she was cultured and reasonable."

"Did you resolve it?" Emily suddenly lowered her voice.

"Ethan cleared it up." Sophia stirred her coffee. "He restored my reputation at the company."

Emily hesitated, then squeezed her hand. "The way the old man acted today…" She sighed in relief. "Since there’s really nothing between you and Ethan, I’m at ease. A man like him is out of our league."

The words stabbed Sophia straight through the heart.

She forced a laugh. "Aunt Emily, what nonsense are you talking about?"

"Better safe than sorry." Emily’s gaze sharpened. "You’re young and beautiful. He’s in his prime. If the old man suspects anything between you—" She drew a finger across her throat. "Go back to Seattle. It’s best for everyone."

Sophia’s fingers turned icy.

Even her closest aunt believed she wasn’t good enough for Ethan Roscente. Worlds apart—the phrase burned into her chest like a branding iron.

At dinner, Ethan returned.

Sophia shrank into the corner, wishing she could vanish. She picked at her food while Isabella gushed about wedding plans in a saccharine voice. The Roscentes laughed and chatted, leaving her an outsider.

Ethan wore a navy-blue suit, his cufflinks glinting coldly. Seated at the head of the table, he looked like a flawless statue. When his gaze flickered toward her, Sophia’s hand trembled. Her spoon clinked against the bowl.

"Ethan, I want the new Vera Wang for my wedding dress," Isabella cooed.

Ethan gave an absentminded hum, but his eyes locked onto the figure pretending to be invisible. Sophia felt the chill in his stare, a thin sweat breaking out on her back.

"Sophia, why so quiet?" The third aunt suddenly called on her.

Sophia froze. Every eye at the table turned to her like spotlights. Before she could speak, Ethan let out a cold laugh. "Silence during meals shows good upbringing."

The remark slapped her like a physical blow, her ears ringing.