Chapter 245
Sebastian Evans looked up.
His gaze was calm as he met Ethan Roscente's eyes.
"She grew up in a family filled with love."
Ethan's steps faltered.
Sebastian's voice was clear. "It means she knows how to love."
"And she has the courage to walk away from the wrong person."
"That's why she chose you without hesitation back then."
"Even against the whole world."
"Unfortunately."
"You betrayed that courage."
Ethan stood with his back turned, his fingers tightening slightly.
Sebastian continued. "Many say she's a hopeless romantic."
"But I know that's not true."
"She simply gives her all to every relationship."
"She seeks a proper beginning and end."
Each word pierced Ethan's heart like a needle.
He spun around abruptly.
His eyes were red. "Are you gloating?"
Sebastian nodded calmly. "You can think that if you want."
Ethan's face darkened instantly.
Sebastian remained composed.
A child raised in such a family demands purity in relationships.
She wants unreserved, unconditional favor.
Not a choice made after weighing the pros and cons.
Sebastian knew he wasn't perfect either.
He was accustomed to calculation and strategy.
In the past, he would never abandon a profitable project to pursue a woman.
But this time, he wanted to be reckless.
For Sophia Sullivan.
Once.
Twice.
Countless times.
Ethan slammed the door shut behind him.
The loud noise made the two men in the hallway flinch.
Charlie Lowell patted his chest. "Ethan looked terrifying."
Julian Winston nodded. "I almost thought they would come to blows."
A server entered to clean up the broken fragments.
Sebastian brewed the third pot of tea.
"Come taste this. The third brew is the best."
Julian accepted the teacup.
He couldn't tell the difference, but he remained silent.
Charlie rubbed his stomach and burped. "I can't drink anymore..."
Sebastian shook his head. "What a pity."
Charlie leaned in curiously. "Sebastian, did you really meet Sophia's parents?"
Julian pricked up his ears.
Sebastian raised an eyebrow. "Of course."
"Does that count as meeting the parents?"
"Not officially, but it helps build goodwill."
"Did it work?"
Sebastian rubbed the rim of his cup. "Probably."
Julian suddenly understood. "You invited us for tea just to show off?"
Sebastian lowered his head to sip his tea.
A slight smile touched his lips.
...
Ethan returned to his company.
He summoned his assistant.
"Compile all projects involving Sebastian Evans."
The assistant was stunned. "Including third-party projects?"
"All of them."
An hour later, the documents were delivered to his office.
Ethan quickly scanned through them.
He called in the project manager.
"Terminate all of these."
The manager was shocked. "But these are key projects..."
Ethan's gaze was icy. "Do it."
The manager broke out in a cold sweat. "Why..."
"No questions."
...
Over twenty projects were terminated.
The workload to control losses was immense.
Ethan worked late into the night.
He stood before the floor-to-ceiling window.
The city lights twinkled in the distance.
Sebastian's words echoed in his ears.
Regret, it seemed, had layers.
The most painful was when everyone told you what a wonderful person you had missed.
But they only said it when it was too late to win back.
A sense of powerlessness washed over him.
It peaked when he returned to the empty mansion.
What could he do?
Sebastian had already met her parents...
...
Morning sunlight streamed in.
Sophia Sullivan woke early to prepare breakfast.
She didn't wake her parents.
She ate alone and went out for a morning run.
She had no classes in the morning.
She stopped by the market on her way back.
David Sullivan and Isabella Sullivan woke to find breakfast ready.
The ingredients for lunch had also been bought.
"Sophia, you're up so early?"
"I woke up at six-thirty."
David entered the kitchen and saw the fresh pork ribs.
"You went grocery shopping?"
Sophia nodded. "Shall we have braised pork ribs for lunch?"
"Good. I'll cook them."
A sudden knock sounded at the door.
Isabella was eating breakfast.
She wondered who would visit so early.
She opened the door.
First, she saw a pile of exquisite gift boxes.
Then she looked up and saw the visitor's face.
It looked familiar, but she couldn't place it immediately.
"Who are you?"
Ethan's smile was stiff. "Auntie, I'm Ethan Roscente."
Isabella's expression instantly turned cold.
"What are you doing here?"
"I heard you and Uncle were in Kyoto. I came to pay my respects."
Isabella didn't accept the gifts.
Her scrutinizing gaze fell on his face.
Ethan felt awkward.
In their six years together, he had only met Sophia's parents once.
It was a hurried meal before he excused himself and left.
In his memory, they were ordinary and unremarkable.
Completely unnoticeable.