A knock sounded at the door.
Ethan Sullivan frowned. "Who is it?"
"It's me. Came to check if the great Mr. Sullivan drank himself sick." Julian Roscente's voice was laced with amusement. "Ian sent Sophia to talk some sense into you. It's been three hours. Don't tell me you two ended up crying in each other's arms?"
Hearing Ethan's steady tone, he relaxed slightly.
"The charity gala is over. There's still the ball and auction. Should I cancel them?"
Ethan's voice was hoarse. "No need."
Julian sensed something unusual but dismissed the thought immediately.
His friend was famously indifferent to women.
Ethan spoke coolly. "Anything else?"
A clear dismissal.
Julian shrugged helplessly.
"Kicking me out already? Guess my timing's off." He was used to Ethan's aloofness. "Just a heads-up."
Typical. Ditching friends for a woman.
"Liam Winston and Chloe Evans are here. If you attend the second half, you might run into them."
He knew Sophia had history with those two.
Sophia Sullivan snapped her compact shut.
"Weren't they blacklisted?" She took a sip of water, her gaze icy. "Whatever. I'm not some pushover."
Ethan thought of her ex-husband and loosened his tie irritably. "Persistent pests."
Julian spread his hands.
"It's a charity event. Even as the host, I can't ban people based on personal grudges." He paused. "Zachary Sullivan showed up too. I've got people watching him."
Ethan's eyes turned frosty. "He dares."
Julian yawned. "Relax. You'll be the first to know if he makes a move."
At a private function, he'd never allow these people in.
Sophia stretched lazily, unfazed.
Those people meant nothing to her now.
"Is Ian and Ryan still around?"
"Those two can't stand each other. Didn't exchange a word during dinner. Probably at the auction now."
Sophia massaged her temples.
She'd stood Ryan up multiple times and planned to discuss The Decagon after the auction.
The moment Sophia entered the grand hall, she saw Chloe clinging to Liam's arm, cooing.
"Liam, we'll definitely get what we want today~"
Chloe turned and spotted Sophia stepping out of the elevator.
The black-and-gold mermaid gown hugged her curves perfectly. The serpentine necklace glittered brilliantly. Every click of her heels exuded confidence.
Liam froze.
He'd seen Sophia docile and dull, and fiery in red after their breakup.
But this Sophia resembled royalty—untouchable, regal.
Since leaving him, she'd only grown more dazzling and distant.