Sophia Sullivan's brows knitted instantly.
She thought she'd made herself perfectly clear.
Yet Ethan Sullivan deliberately voiced those words.
Perhaps sensing the ambiguity in his statement, Ethan met her gaze with a low murmur: "What I meant was, how to catch up with you."
He maintained the perfect distance.
"Miss Sullivan is no ordinary woman. Anyone connected to MDH Pharmaceutical Research Institute has long transcended monetary constraints."
Ethan knew full well Sophia only agreed to stay at Breeze Perfumes to uncover certain clues.
A stronger intuition told him she'd vanish from A-City completely once her objectives were met.
Just like when she left Italy years ago, leaving no trace even Ian Gallagher couldn't follow.
But Ethan Sullivan never waited passively.
"Those secrets mean nothing to me. I only wish to know how to keep Miss Sullivan here."
When their eyes locked, Sophia saw his composed, steady gaze.
Even standing still, Ethan exuded lethal magnetism.
These words resembling a confession now sounded more like a transaction.
Sophia tilted her head. "Why?"
Surely not genuine affection.
"Because Miss Sullivan is my antidote."
Ethan slowly raised his eyes: "Whether in perfumery or business acumen, you're utterly remarkable."
He swallowed the unspoken emotions.
Ethan understood better than anyone—love couldn't anchor Sophia Sullivan. Only capability could capture her attention.
Sophia stated bluntly: "Mr. Sullivan should know I've been using you all along."
Her tone carried glacial detachment.
"I'll never truly love anyone."
For her, sincerity might forever remain an unaffordable luxury.
Ethan seemed unsurprised.
"I know."
His eyes remained unreadable.
—Knowing didn't mean letting go.
Ethan excelled at strategic advances.
"My abruptness tonight warrants compensation. I'll accept any punishment."
The night breeze lifted his fringe, revealing those mesmerizing, profound eyes.
Sophia stayed silent.
She suspected deliberate enticement.
Yet she couldn't deny—she bore layers of secrets, just as Ethan remained inscrutable.
After thoroughly photographing the necklace, she stepped forward to return it.
"Mr. Sullivan's remuneration is generous enough. As for punishment..." Sophia's lips curved slightly, "I'm not that cruel."
Her fingertips brushed the serpent-headed ruby.
"Let's make a wager instead."
Ethan arched a brow. "Do tell."
"If Mr. Sullivan uncovers all my secrets, I'll consider staying to develop perfumes for you."
The ruby gleamed coldly under moonlight.
"Conversely, if I discover yours..." She smiled, "I want the entire Sullivan empire."
The billion-dollar Sullivan Group.
An audacious gamble.
Most would call it delusional arrogance.
Yet Ethan accepted the necklace with a low chuckle: "Agreed."
His voice vibrated with sensual resonance.
He felt his blood ignite with scorching heat again.
Dangerous. Thrilling. Addictive.
No one had ever dared stake the Sullivan legacy, yet this battle of equals excited him more than sweet nothings ever could.
Maximum mutual provocation.
Since that kiss, Ethan knew boundaries between them had rippled like lake surfaces.
A tantalizing push-pull.
The overture to forbidden desires.