Chapter 232

Ethan Sullivan turned, his dark gaze settling on Evelyn Sullivan's face.

"How do you plan to handle this?"

Evelyn's fingers trembled slightly. After a moment of silence, she spoke. "Same as last time. Pretend nothing happened."

His eyes turned icy. He grabbed her wrist. "Evelyn, I'm not a charity."

"What do you want?"

She took a cautious step back.

Ethan released her and adjusted his cuff with deliberate slowness. "You're good. Why not make it a long-term arrangement?"

"What?"

"Just sex. No emotions." His voice was low. "Mutual benefit."

Evelyn let out a cold laugh. "You've got the wrong person. Isabella would be more than willing."

The air froze.

Ethan's eyes narrowed dangerously. "I'm not interested in her."

"Then why keep seeing her after the divorce?" Evelyn clenched her fists. "I'm not your plaything, Ethan."

He suddenly closed the distance, his breath hot against her ear. "You enjoyed it too."

Her ears burned. She shoved him away.

"I need time to think."

Ethan retreated, his expression indifferent. "Don't worry. It won't interfere with you finding someone else."

The words stung unexpectedly.

"Deal." She gritted her teeth. "But you stay out of my personal life."

His gaze darkened. "Fine."

Evelyn grabbed her bag and turned to leave, but he stopped her at the door.

"Eight tonight. Grandeur Hotel."

She paused mid-step and slammed the door behind her without looking back.

In the hallway, her phone buzzed incessantly. The design competition organizer sounded near tears. "Elia! The judges' livestream has been down for half an hour!"

Evelyn suddenly remembered she'd left the event midway.

"I'm on my way."

She hung up and checked the trending topic #EliaMissing. The comments were in chaos.

[Was she kidnapped?]

[I heard a fan rushed the stage!]

Rubbing her temples, Evelyn hurried back to the judges' panel.

Meanwhile, Ethan stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, phone in hand.

"It's done?"

"All surveillance footage has been erased." The voice on the line hesitated. "Isabella Jackson is here."

The door opened softly. Isabella stood there in her white competition dress, eyes shining.

"Ethan! You came to watch me, didn't you?"

Ethan turned. Ice filled his gaze.

"Lock the door," he told Colin. "No one comes in."

Isabella's smile froze.