Chapter 141

"Ethan, try this. I had the kitchen prepare it specially for you." Sophia Evans picked up a piece of fish with her chopsticks and placed it gently into Ethan Roscente's bowl.

Ethan frowned and pushed the bowl aside. "No, thanks."

Undeterred, Sophia continued, "I heard you've been doing exceptionally well with the overseas branch. Perhaps you should consider staying there longer?"

"The Roscente Group needs me here more."

Three years ago, he'd left for abroad—not just to expand the family empire, but to investigate his elder brother's mysterious car accident. Though all evidence pointed to an unfortunate mishap, Ethan had always suspected foul play.

But time had eroded any remaining leads.

Then there was Theo. His brother's premature child had been sickly and weak. It had taken Ethan three years of meticulous care to restore the boy's health.

Now, it was time to return.

"Theo keeps asking about you. He misses his uncle."

"I'll visit him soon."

Midway through dinner, Ethan suddenly felt an uncomfortable heat spreading through his body. He loosened his tie, beads of sweat forming at his temples.

Something was wrong.

"Sophia!" He slammed his hands on the table, his gaze sharp as a blade. "What did you do?"

"Ethan? What's wrong?" Sophia feigned concern, though triumph flickered in her eyes.

The drug was taking effect.

"You drugged me!" Ethan's vision swam red, his body burning from within. Only their shared history kept him from wrapping his hands around her throat.

"How could you accuse me? We ate the same food." Sophia gestured at their shared dishes, hiding a smirk. The real culprit had been his pre-poured glass of wine.

Seizing the opportunity, she threw her arms around his waist. "You're burning up. Let me take you to bed and care for you."

Through his dress shirt, she could feel the hard planes of his muscles and the feverish heat of his skin. The man she'd coveted for so long would finally be hers.