Chapter 411

Ethan Roscente lit a cigarette, the pale smoke curling in the air.

"This morning was just the appetizer." He flicked the ash. "If there's a next time, all of New York will hear about Miss Valentine's 'glorious achievements.'"

Isabella Valentine's face turned deathly pale, tears welling in her eyes. "You can't do this..."

"Can't?" His lips curled into a cold smirk, his gaze sharp as a blade. "I have far worse methods waiting."

Her legs gave out, and she collapsed to the floor, trembling. "Is this... because of Sophia?"

"If I wanted revenge," he leaned down, his voice icy, "you'd already be in the morgue."

She shrank back, looking up at him. "Then what do you want?"

Ethan straightened, staring down at her with disdain. "You know exactly what I want."

She bit her lip hard enough to draw blood before forcing out the terrible thought: "...Call off the engagement?"

"No." His tone was indifferent.

A flicker of hope lit her eyes. "Really?"

"But I don't intend to marry you either."

The hope died instantly. Realization dawned. "You want to postpone it."

He crushed the cigarette, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Smart girl."

"That's impossible!" She shot to her feet, voice shaking. "The invitations are sent! The guests are notified!"

"That's your problem." His tone was detached, as if it meant nothing to him.

Isabella suddenly laughed.

So that was it. He wanted to delay the wedding—and make her take the blame. That way, he could protect Sophia while keeping his hands clean.

"Why?" Her voice trembled. "Why should I sacrifice for you two?"

Ethan's eyes turned glacial. "Because you're William Valentine's daughter."

"What does that mean?" She froze.

"You don't need to know." He turned toward the window.

Isabella chased after him, unwilling to let it go. "Sophia doesn't love you! She's just using you! She went back to Seattle, didn't she?"

"But I'm different—I truly love you! All this time, the way you treated me... I refuse to believe it was all fake! You scolded her for me, humiliated her in public, even blacklisted her best friend..."

She believed in love that grew over time. In all those romance novels, didn't the male lead always realize his true feelings too late?

"Enough." His voice cut like ice. "If you weren't a Valentine, I wouldn't even spare you a glance."

The words stabbed like a knife. She staggered back, tears streaming. "No... that's not true..."

Ethan frowned impatiently. "I've said my piece. Do what you will."

Her fists clenched her skirt so tightly her knuckles turned white. Then she looked up, voice breaking. "Ethan Roscente... you love Sophia, don't you?"