Chapter 288

Ethan Roscente's gaze lingered on Vivian Laurent, ignoring the chips on the table. "Being so generous, Vivian. Are you trying to keep me?"

She wrinkled her nose in distaste. "If I wanted a sugar baby, I'd pick a young hunk. Not some dried-up old man like you."

"Old man?" Ethan arched a brow. "You haven't even tasted me. How do you know I'm not good?"

"Last time—" Vivian bit back her words. "Anyway, I only like them young."

Ethan mentally calculated his age. Twenty-eight hardly qualified as old.

"What's so great about youth?" He glanced meaningfully across the room. "Kids like Finn Deross only care about having fun."

Vivian shrugged. "At least they have energy. Unlike someone who always looks like he's sucking on a lemon."

Ethan moved closer. "So you prefer younger men?"

"None of your business." She turned toward the stairs, eager to escape the curious stares.

He matched her stride. "When did you learn to gamble? I never knew you were this good."

"There's a lot you don't know about me." She quickened her pace.

"Like..." Ethan suddenly blocked her path. "You're Queen, aren't you?"

Vivian's pulse jumped. Was this alias about to be exposed too?

"Queen who?" She feigned ignorance.

"The hacker Queen." His tone left no room for doubt. "Stop pretending. It's you."

She threw up her hands dramatically. "In your eyes, I'm that capable? Why not call me the world's richest woman while you're at it?"

"Maybe you are." Ethan chuckled.

"Then go find your Queen. Stop bothering me." She tried to walk away.

His voice dropped to a murmur. "Do I smell jealousy? Are you getting possessive?"

Vivian's eyes widened. How could she be jealous of herself?

"Ex-husband, you're free to chase anyone you want now."

"What if I want to chase you?" His gaze turned unexpectedly serious.

Her heart skipped a beat. What did he mean by that?

"A smart woman doesn't revisit old mistakes," she said stiffly.

Ethan smiled. "Good thing neither of us is particularly smart."