Chapter 537

Sophia Sherwood held her wine glass with a saccharine smile.

"Ethan, let's have a drink? It's rare for old classmates to reunite. Surely you won't deny me this?"

Her voice dripped with honeyed sweetness, laced with calculated coyness.

Ethan Roscente's gaze remained fixed across the room where Vivian Laurent leaned close to Liam Valdemar, engrossed in private conversation. Their proximity made his jaw clench.

Crack—

The crystal stemware shattered in his grip.

Amber liquid splattered across his tailored suit.

"I need the restroom." He rose abruptly, his expression glacial.

Felix Valdemar blinked. "What's with Boss Ethan—"

Cold water slapped against Ethan's face in the restroom, doing little to douse the fire in his veins.

Meanwhile, Liam's lips curved into a foxlike smirk as he murmured to Vivian, "This cocktail has... distinctive notes."

She tilted closer to catch his words.

"House specialty. Unavailable elsewhere," she explained.

Liam took a measured sip. "Quite remarkable."

"One glass only. Doctor's orders." Vivian leveled him a stern look.

"At your command, Dr. Laurent." His voice dropped to an intimate timbre that pinkened her ears.

"Purely medical advice," she insisted.

Sophia's manicured nails dug into her palms as she witnessed their exchange.

Striding toward their table on stiletto heels, she forced a smile. "Dr. Laurent, what a coincidence. Join me for a drink?"

Isabella Langley's brow furrowed instantly.

"Get lost." Her retort came sharp as a scalpel.

Sophia clutched her pearls. "Such rudeness!"

"Allergic to fake sweetness. Makes me nauseous." Isabella's smirk was venomous.

Felix rushed to intervene. "Ignore her, goddess. She's—"

Isabella seized his ear in a vice grip.

"Who exactly is 'her'?" she hissed.

"Ow! Mercy!" He flailed, his hand accidentally grazing her cheek.

Both froze.

Isabella released him. Felix scrambled backward like a startled hare.

"Come back here!" She gave chase.

The lounge erupted into chaos.