Sophia tapped her fingers lightly on the table.
She lifted her gaze to meet Ethan's.
"Don't worry, Ms. Sullivan," Ethan said, the corner of his lips curving upward. "I'll work hard."
His eyes lingered on her face.
Studying her.
"And if needed, I can provide... extra services."
Sophia scoffed. "Unnecessary."
Ethan sighed. "Just joking. There's food in the fridge. If I'm not around, please heat it up yourself."
"Fine." She settled into the dining chair.
Sunlight streamed through the gap in the curtains.
It cast a glow on Ethan's profile.
The madness of last night had faded.
This quiet moment felt even more intoxicating.
His phone suddenly buzzed.
Ethan glanced at the screen.
"Julian," he explained to Sophia.
"Answer it." She didn’t look up, focused on her braised pork ribs.
Ethan put it on speaker. "What is it?"
"The project files are ready. Can we discuss the collaboration tonight?" Julian asked.
"Not tonight," Ethan replied flatly. "I have plans with her."
"Her? A date?" Julian paused.
Then it clicked.
"You and Sophia are together now? And you're only telling me this?"
Just recently, Ethan had been heartbroken.
Now he’d actually won Sophia over?
Julian’s curiosity flared. "Was it my advice that worked? How far have you two—"
The call disconnected abruptly.
Julian stared at his phone.
Typical. Abandoning friends for a lover.
Sophia’s phone chimed with a notification.
Two billion dollars had been deposited into her account.
She casually transferred half to Ethan.
"Payment for last night," she said casually. "We are partners, after all."
Ethan chuckled. "So generous. Does that mean I performed well?"
Sophia was radiant.
Her peach-blossom eyes shimmered.
Her lips naturally curved upward.
There was always a hint of something unspoken in her gaze.
She propped her chin lazily on her hand. "Decent. Room for improvement."
Ethan took her hand.
Pressed a kiss to her knuckles.
"I told you—I belong to you."
His gaze was intense.
"So my money is yours. Use it if you need to. Besides, we’re a couple now."
Sophia smiled. "Alright."
A man was most attractive when he spent freely on the woman he loved.
Ethan suddenly remembered something.
"At the casino last night, Chloe racked up quite a debt. Liam tried to help her but got detained instead."
He watched Sophia’s reaction.
But her expression remained unreadable.
"Not my concern." She took a sip of wine. "As long as the money’s here. Money matters more than an ex."
Ethan relaxed.
She really had moved on.
Sophia swirled her glass. "Money does make life easier."
"True." Ethan held her gaze. "But what matters more is who you share it with."
He made it sound casual. "How about a trip to Deer Lake Mountain this afternoon?"
Their eyes locked.
He seemed composed.
But his fingers tightened slightly.
"Sure." Sophia stretched. "Could use some fresh air."