Chapter 64

Ahem.

A deliberate cough cut through the office chatter.

Everyone turned toward the sound, their expressions instantly shifting.

"E-Ethan..."

Ethan Roscente stood at the entrance, his face stormy. He had clearly overheard their conversation.

Zachary Evans stood beside him, his sharp gaze sweeping over the room. "You're paid to work, not gossip. Since you have so much free time, you can re-audit last year's financial reports."

The office fell dead silent.

Ethan's cold eyes scanned the room before landing on Sophia Lowell. His deep, unreadable gaze pinned her in place.

Sophia kept her head down, acutely aware of his piercing stare. She expected an outburst, but instead, he turned and strode into his office without a word.

Sophia exhaled shakily.

His unusual reaction unsettled her.

Inside the CEO's office, Ethan drummed his fingers against the desk, his expression dark. After a long silence, he spoke. "Pull up their performance reviews."

Zachary nodded. "Understood."

The entire morning passed without Ethan emerging. Sophia only saw Zachary moving in and out of his office, his expression grim.

She clutched her freshly printed resignation letter, her knuckles white.

HR had already processed most of the paperwork. Only Ethan's signature remained. But after this morning, she wasn't sure anymore.

"Having second thoughts?"

Isabella Valentine's mocking voice came from behind her, accompanied by the tap of her cane.

Sophia ignored her and marched straight to Ethan's office.

"Come in."

His icy tone made her inhale sharply before pushing the door open.

"Ethan, my resignation."

She placed the document on his desk and stood stiffly.

Ethan didn’t look up. "I wouldn’t want my greasiness to stain your resignation."

Sophia’s lips pressed into a thin line.

Of course he remembered.

She cleared her throat. "About this morning—that was out of line. I apologize."

Ethan finally lifted his gaze, his eyes sharp. "You insult me daily, and it's always unintentional?"