Chapter 403
Hannah Morse blinked.
"Not that familiar, really."
"I just think he's a decent guy."
"At the botanical garden that day, everyone else just stood by and watched."
"Only he stepped in to help."
"I've always remembered that."
Marcus Lawrence let out a soft, derisive sound.
"You have quite the memory."
"?"
"Everyone is a 'decent guy' in your eyes."
"Do you just love complimenting people that much?"
Hannah's eyes widened.
"Are you feeling okay?"
"..."
Not far away, Ethan Roscente leaned against his sports car.
He checked his watch repeatedly.
Clearly waiting for someone.
He didn't have to wait long.
The person he was waiting for appeared.
Fiona Valentine came jogging over, her cheeks flushed, slightly out of breath.
To see Ethan, she had deliberately skipped the heavy down coat.
She wore a fitted overcoat that perfectly outlined her figure.
Her usually loose hair was tied up in a neat bun today.
A pearl hair clip added a touch of清爽 elegance.
"Have you been waiting long?"
"Sorry, I forgot my scarf on the way out and had to go back for it."
Ethan didn't respond.
His expression was blank, somewhat distracted.
His gaze drifted, almost imperceptibly, in another direction.
Fiona followed his line of sight.
Understanding dawned as soon as she saw Sophia Sullivan.
Of course.
That's why.
Otherwise, why would Ethan suddenly ask to meet her?
And insist on meeting right at the school gate?
It certainly wasn't because he missed her.
Hah...
Since the stage was set—
Let her start the show.
Fiona clenched her fists.
She took a deep breath, then slowly relaxed.
A bright smile spread across her face as she主动 walked towards Sophia.
"What a coincidence, Sophia!"
"Didn't expect to run into you here."
Sophia offered a slight smile.
"It's not just me you've run into."
Fiona's smile faltered, as if she'd just noticed Marcus and Hannah.
"You're here too!"
"What a small world."
Hannah tilted her head.
"Fiona, you say that like we just popped out of nowhere?"
"Marcus and I have been standing right next to Sophia this whole time."
"How could you not see us?"
"My apologies, perhaps I just didn't notice…"
"Wow," Hannah sighed dramatically.
"I'm standing right here, a whole person, and you didn't see me?"
"You must be really focused on my friend Sophia."
"Does she just suck up all your attention the moment she appears?"
Fiona gave an awkward laugh.
"...Really, I'm sorry."
"It's fine."
"I don't mind."
Ethan chose that moment to step forward.
He naturally slid an arm around Fiona's waist.
His eyes calmly met Sophia's.
"We meet again."
Sophia gave a faint nod.
Even more distant than her response to Fiona.
Ethan either didn't notice or chose to ignore it.
He continued casually.
"Saw Sebastian's post yesterday."
"The Atlantes are back from abroad?"
"Yes."
"So you were there yesterday?" His tone was deliberately light, but his eyes sharpened.
Sophia didn't answer.
Her silence was confirmation enough.
"You actually went with him to see the Atlantes?!"
Sophia glanced at Fiona, a slight frown forming.
"Mr. Roscente."
"Mind your position."
Position?
What position?
The position of Fiona's boyfriend, of course!
These were not questions he should be asking.
And she had no obligation to answer.
Ethan's fists clenched.
A dull roar filled his ears.
He wanted to shout, to demand why Sebastian was allowed when he wasn't?
Weren't they both just as flawed?
No, Sebastian was even worse!
Why would she choose Sebastian over coming back to him?
"Ethan, are you alright?" Fiona asked softly.
Ethan snapped back to reality.
He forced down the questions and the frustration.
He couldn't lose his composure.
He'd played this role for so long; he had to keep playing it.
If he revealed his true intentions, Sophia would avoid him like the plague.
He might not even get a chance to see her calmly like this again.
But Fiona could feel it.
After Sophia's words, half of his soul seemed to have left him.
Sophia turned to Hannah and Marcus.
"It's getting late."
"Shall we head back?"
"Yeah!" Hannah nodded immediately.
"It's almost nine."
"Let's go, it's freezing out here…"
She rubbed her hands together and blew on them for warmth.
She was genuinely impressed by Ethan.
It was below freezing, yet he stood by his sports car on the roadside, trying to look cool.
Even if he was waiting for someone, couldn't he wait inside the car?
Did he have to lean against it and pose?
Wasn't he cold?
Tsk...
She really didn't understand the thought process of these arrogant CEOs.
"We're off now, Fiona, and Fiona's boyfriend."
"Enjoy your date."
"Bye~"
Fiona's boyfriend?
Hannah really knew how to twist the knife.
Ethan: "..."
He watched as Sophia got into the taxi.
He didn't look away until the car's taillights disappeared from view.
Then he withdrew his arm from around Fiona's waist.
Fiona saw it all.
Though her heart ached, she maintained her smile on the surface.
No matter how bitter, she had to smile.
Because—
This was her role.
From the very beginning, their arrangement was clear: he paid, and she acted.
She didn't dare show a hint of jealousy in front of Ethan.
She had to deceive Ethan, just as he was trying to deceive Sophia.
It was bitterly ironic and laughable.
With Sophia gone, Ethan had no reason to stay.
He turned to get into his car.
Suddenly—
Fiona spoke up.
"I got all dressed up, came to the school gate late at night, and acted in this little play with you."
"Are you just going to leave without even a thank you?"
Her tone was playful, light and charming.
"Thank you," Ethan said, already pulling the car door open.
Fiona gave a helpless smile.
"Is a simple 'thank you' really enough?"
"Couldn't you... maybe buy me dinner?"
"Alright, I admit it, I'm hungry."
"My roommate's gone home, I'm all alone in the dorm."
"Could you join me for a late snack?"
"My treat."
Ethan raised an eyebrow.
"Not necessary."
Fiona's eyes dropped, disappointed, but she quickly smiled again.
"Okay then. Drive safe, I'll head back—"
Ethan cut in.
"I meant, no need for you to pay."
Fiona: "!"
"Get in."
A triumphant smile flickered across the woman's lips, quickly replaced by an expression of sweet naivety.
...
The place was Fiona's choice.
A roadside stall on a snack street.
Highly recommended by influencers, a popular though humble little eatery.
The stall was crowded with young people.
The moment Ethan approached, his attire and appearance made him stand out starkly.
He drew looks from other patrons.
He felt uncomfortable but showed no sign of it on his face.
Fiona wiped a small stool with a tissue and offered it to him.
"Have a seat."
Ethan glanced at it, his brow twitching almost imperceptibly.
He sat down.
Fiona asked, "What would you like?"
"Their grilled skewers are famous, especially the grilled gluten and the grilled intestines..."
Ethan interrupted.
"You decide."