Chapter 105

Sophia's gaze was icy. "Ethan Winston, your affection isn't even worth scrap paper."

In the past, those words would have thrilled her.

But a heart that's died once can't be stirred again.

She closed her eyes briefly. The image of young Ethan charging into a burning building to save her flashed through her mind.

"If you chose Isabella Evans, stop wavering."

She knew the Winston family situation all too well.

The Winston patriarch was a notorious womanizer with illegitimate children scattered across the country.

Each child was groomed as a potential heir. Only the victor would control Winston Holdings.

Marrying into the Evans family was Ethan's key move in the inheritance battle.

Ethan's chest tightened at Sophia's detached expression. "Sophia..."

He clenched his fists. "Once I secure Winston Holdings, I'll give you the grandest wedding."

Sophia blinked.

Then she laughed abruptly. "You think this is a joke?"

Ethan's pulse spiked at her laughter. "What do you mean?"

"Everything I said last time was true."

Sophia met his eyes squarely. "I'm already married."

She turned to leave without another word.

He should have anticipated this outcome when he humiliated her publicly.

As for his life-saving act years ago? Three years of devotion had repaid that debt in full.

Ethan grabbed her wrist.

"Stop this nonsense. Marriage isn't something to decide out of spite—"

Sophia wrenched free with visible disgust.

"Don't touch me."

She stepped back, eyes sharp as daggers. "Lay another finger on me, and I'll report you for sexual harassment."

With that, she walked away without looking back.

Ethan stood frozen, face darkening.

The girl who once adored him now threatened to call the police?

His molars ground together.

He needed to seize control of Winston Holdings immediately.

Once he claimed that throne, Sophia would come crawling back.

Sophia strode toward the ballroom, expression grim.

At the corridor's turn, William Lowell leaned against the wall with a mocking smirk.

"Tsk tsk. Sneaking off with an ex at a gala? How enterprising of you, Mrs. Valdemar."

Sophia's pupils contracted. "You followed me?"

"Truth has a way of surfacing," William twirled his wineglass smugly.

"Do you really think the Valdemars would tolerate a promiscuous daughter-in-law?"