Chapter 438

She picked up her new phone and casually snapped a photo of the living room bar. The lens focused precisely on the upside-down crystal wine glass, blurring the surroundings into soft, indistinct shapes.

Caption: Lazy summer day with nothing to do.

She tapped Send.

The phone was tossed carelessly onto the leather sofa. Barefoot, she padded toward the bedroom, her silk nightgown swaying gently with each step.

The air conditioning was set just right—no wonder Evelyn always said summer was meant for staying in.

She didn’t feel like going out either.

Julian Roscente was at the indoor surf club.

This private instructor’s schedule was packed, and he’d debated whether to keep the appointment. After a few rounds of practice, he could already feel his rapid improvement.

During a break, he instinctively checked his social feed.

"Lazy summer day with nothing to do..."

Accompanied by a photo of a wine glass.

To most, it was just another mundane post.

But who was Julian?

A seasoned charmer who’d navigated countless romantic escapades!

Lazy summer day—

Key word: lazy.

Subtext: Bored and craving company.

Nothing to do—

Key word: nothing.

Subtext: The bed’s ready, just missing a partner.

And that wine glass?

A vessel meant for red wine.

The wine doesn’t intoxicate—people intoxicate themselves.

Every word was an invitation.

"Sophia Laurent, you—"

He yanked off his surfboard, grabbed his robe, and bolted for the locker room.

The coach called after him, "Mr. Roscente, done for the day?"

"Emergency!"

"That sudden?"

"Life or death!"

Any later, and his wife might slip away!

Sophia slept until the sun dipped low.

Stretching lazily, she wandered into the living room and picked up her phone to check the results.

As expected, the responses were plentiful.

A: Same. Drinks?

B: Free lately? Me too.

C: On my way.

D: Same passcode?

A smug smile curled her lips.

But by evening, even the earliest reply was three hours old, and her doorbell hadn’t rung once.

Odd.

Clutching a glass of iced sparkling water, she headed to the foyer to check if the bell was broken.

The moment she opened the door, a dark figure suddenly loomed before her.