Chapter 491

Ethan Roscente's arrival struck the restaurant like a thunderbolt.

He stood at the entrance, his tall frame accentuated by the black trench coat. His stormy eyes darkened with barely contained fury, locking onto Sophia Lowell with predatory intensity.

Sophia's fingers trembled, nearly dropping her coffee cup.

She knew that look too well—the same possessive glare Ethan wore whenever jealousy consumed him, like he'd caught her in bed with another man.

Sebastian Valdemar noticed the tension and turned to meet Ethan's gaze. With deliberate calm, he shifted to shield Sophia behind him.

"Mr. Roscente. What a coincidence."

Ethan's lips curled into a frosty smile. "Professor Valdemar. Like a fly to honey, aren't you? Can't seem to avoid you anywhere."

"Law professors frequent courthouses," Sebastian adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses. "Though I'm surprised to see the busy CEO slumming it in this humble establishment."

The air turned glacial.

Sophia saw Ethan's knuckles whiten. She stood abruptly. "Sebastian, I should get back to the firm."

"Let me drive you—" Sebastian reached for his coat, but Ethan was already there, gripping Sophia's wrist.

"Am I invisible?" His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper, each word gritted between clenched teeth.

Sophia tugged uselessly against his iron grip. She lifted her chin defiantly. "Are you detaining me now, Mr. Roscente?"

His eyes darkened.

Suddenly he leaned in, hot breath scorching her ear. "You weren't complaining about your freedom when you begged me in bed last night."

A flush burned up Sophia's neck.

Sebastian stepped forward, but froze under Ethan's warning glare.

"Professor," Ethan traced the red marks on Sophia's wrist, "I hear your father's bidding on the East District land?"

Sebastian's expression tightened.

"Let's go." Ethan dragged Sophia toward the exit, pausing only to deliver his parting shot: "If I catch you near her again, that land will become your family's burial plot."

The car door slammed.

Before Sophia could brace herself, Ethan pinned her against the leather seat. His fingers dug into her chin. "Three days apart and you've grown bold."

"It was just—"

"Coincidence?" His laugh was razor-sharp. "Coincidentally at a couples' restaurant? Coincidentally in the lovers' booth?"

Only then did Sophia notice the pairs surrounding them, the roses on every table glaringly obvious.

"I didn't know—"

Ethan nipped her earlobe. "Tonight, I'll remind you exactly who owns you."