Chapter 4 Chapter 4 What Are We

Sophia woke up groggily the next morning, reaching out instinctively-but the bed beside her was already cold. She was about to sit up when her phone rang. The caller ID showed a number she would rather delete but couldn't.

"Sophia. your father. he's got alcohol poisoning. He's still in the hospital. You know we don't have much."

"I know." She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, suppressing the frustration and helplessness in her chest. "I'll transfer ten thousand to you in the next couple of days."

She probably should've asked how her father was doing, whether it was serious. But the words died on her tongue. For the man who had dragged her into hardship again and again, financial support was the most she could offer.

But ten thousand wasn't a small sum. Before their marriage, she and Ethan had signed a prenup-household expenses were split fifty-fifty. Pulling out that much money all of a sudden wasn't easy.

Ask Ethan?

Even if she could swallow her pride, the smudge of lipstick on his collar last night made it impossible to humble herself like that.

Distracted, she arrived at work, only to be summoned to the office by Henry Collins, her manager.

"The client from last time-they're willing to give us another shot. Are you in or not?"

Just as she'd hoped-when one door closes, another opens. Sophia's face lit up instantly. "Of course I'm in! Definitely. But."

"But what?" Henry narrowed his eyes, waiting for her to continue.

Sophia hesitated, remembering how inappropriate the client had been last time. The thought made her uneasy. Henry seemed to catch her hesitation and gave a dry chuckle. "Don't worry. That was the marketing manager from Brighten Group last time. This time, it's the top boss himself."

He couldn't hide the pride in his voice. A company like Brighten Group-one of the top-tier corporations in the country-was already a big deal to work with. But for the CEO to come to the table personally? That said everything about how seriously they were taking this deal.

"Well? Why are you still standing there?" Henry snapped out of his smugness and noticed Sophia was still rooted to the spot, clearly conflicted.

The weight of her father's medical bills pressed heavily on her. "I'll go. But." she met Henry's eyes, voice steady, "if I close this deal, can I get a one percent cut from the commission?"

Henry narrowed his eyes, clearly surprised. "Well, look who's learning to negotiate. Don't worry-I haven't forgotten about your year-end raise."

"Just this once. I really need the money." He finally waved her off in agreement.

Back at her desk, Isabella Lane leaned over with a juicy piece of gossip. "Guess what? The only reason we're even in the running for Brighten's advertising project is because our company is about to be acquired! Otherwise, why would a giant like Brighten work with a small agency like ours? And the company that's buying us? It's SUN!"

Sophia's head shot up. "What did you say?"

"Scared, huh? Yes, the SUN. THE SUN-king of the ad world! Oh, and remember that guy you bumped into during our team dinner? James Morgan? He's one of the shareholders."

But Sophia wasn't listening anymore. SUN-wasn't that where Ethan worked?

If the rumors were true, she and Ethan might be working for the same company soon.

Was that good news. or bad?

-

When Sophia arrived at the elegant restaurant with Henry that evening, she was still going over the deal in her mind. She didn't expect what came next.

By the window, Ethan was seated with a graceful, delicate-looking woman.

Before she could react, Lucas arrived. He was-of course-the man in charge of Brighten.

His gaze swept past Ethan's table and landed on her, a flicker of mockery flashing in his eyes.

"This way, Mr. Marshall," Henry said enthusiastically.

They were seated just far enough from Ethan to make things uncomfortable. Sophia could feel Ethan's gaze skimming over her from time to time.

Sure enough, moments later, Ethan walked over with the woman.

"What a coincidence," he said smoothly, his eyes drifting between Sophia and Lucas before settling on Lucas. "Your date is stunning."

He called her Lucas's date.

Lucas was expressionless. "She's average."

"Mind if we join you?" Ethan offered with a polite smile.

Lucas didn't refuse.

The four-person table instantly became tense. Henry, sensing the awkwardness, quickly excused himself, leaving Sophia to face this surreal dinner alone.

"No introductions?" Sophia set down her fork and looked directly at Ethan's companion.

Ethan turned to the woman. "This is Lucas, General Manager of Brighten Group," then to Lucas, "And this is Olivia Holden."

Olivia smiled gently. "Are you and Mr. Marshall friends?"

Ethan said nothing. Lucas's face stayed cold.

Sophia couldn't take it anymore. The suffocating feeling of being excluded was unbearable. "Miss Holden, may I ask-what's your relationship with Mr. Griffin?"

Ethan's gaze shifted to her. "The same kind of relationship you have with Mr. Marshall."

He called her "Miss Marshall."

After dinner, Olivia clung to Ethan's arm. "It's late, Ethan. Can you take me home? You're headed that way, right?"

He glanced at Sophia, his tone soft. "Get in the car."

Olivia immediately slipped into the front seat-the one that should've been reserved for his wife.

Ethan opened the back door for Sophia.

A while later, they dropped Olivia off. Finally, it was just the two of them.

"The same kind of relationship?" Ethan repeated, watching her through the rearview mirror, his lips curling into a mocking smile.