Chapter 384

Vivian glared coldly at Ethan Roscente.

"Ethan, are you leaving or not?"

Her slender fingers tapped impatiently against the suitcase handle.

"I don't need you waiting here with me."

Ethan remained motionless.

Vivian narrowed her eyes.

"If you don't leave now, don't ever show your face around me again!"

Ethan studied her for a few seconds.

"If I go, will you have dinner with me next time?"

Vivian checked her watch.

She had no time for his games.

"Fine."

She gave a dismissive nod.

Only then did Ethan turn away, satisfied.

Sophia Sherwood immediately seized the opportunity.

"Mr. Roscente!"

Her face lit up with a saccharine smile.

"I didn't drive here either when dropping off my friend."

She feigned distress while glancing around.

"Taxis are impossible to find here."

Batting her doe-like eyes, she leaned closer.

"Could you give me a ride?"

Ethan didn't break stride.

"Not on my way."

Sophia hurried after him.

"How could it not be?"

She eagerly recited the address she'd memorized.

"I live near Riverside Avenue."

A deliberate choice—closer to Ethan's residence.

Too bad she didn't know.

He'd already moved to Roscente Manor.

"Still not."

Ethan tossed the words over his shoulder without looking back.

Sophia's smile faltered momentarily.

She quickly recovered.

"That's alright."

Matching his pace, she tilted her head playfully.

"Have you eaten yet, Mr. Roscente?"

Inching nearer, she added casually,

"I've been craving local dishes since returning from abroad—"

"Already did."

Ethan cut her off.

Vivian observed the spectacle from a distance.

She nearly laughed aloud.

Sophia still hadn't given up.

"Well..."

Scrambling for conversation, Sophia tried again.

"There are some work matters I'd like to—"

"Take them to Marketing."

Ethan shut her down.

"Or Simon."

Sophia finally snapped.

She shot Vivian a venomous glare.

Ethan had walked several steps when he suddenly paused.

A fully masked figure rushed toward Vivian.

Though concealed by hats and scarves, the petite frame suggested a young woman.

Ethan exhaled in relief.

Yet an odd discomfort lingered.

So Vivian really was meeting a friend.

"Vivi!"

Fiona Grandelle embraced her tightly.

"Missed you so much!"

Vivian patted her back.

"Let's get you fed."

She grabbed Fiona's luggage.

"Time to taste my cooking."

Fiona nodded eagerly.

"But..."

She glanced around curiously.

"What were you watching earlier?"

Vivian smirked.

"Nothing important."

Leading Fiona away, she shrugged.

"Just a pathetic clown."

Fiona's palms were damp with sweat.

Vivian quickened their pace toward her car.

Meanwhile, Sophia trudged back after failing to catch Ethan.

Squinting at Vivian's retreating figure, she frowned.

Who was that masked woman?

Why hide her face?

Sophia stared at the vanishing taillights,

her mind swirling with questions.