Chapter 58
The room was dark.
A deathly silence filled every corner.
Sophia Sullivan sat up abruptly.
Cold sweat soaked through her back.
It was just a nightmare.
She took deep, ragged breaths.
It felt like she had just fought her way up from the depths of the ocean.
Wind chimes tinkled softly.
A sea breeze drifted through the entryway.
The sound of the night waves was unusually clear.
The lingering sense of dread wouldn't fade.
She threw on a jacket.
And pushed the door open.
The late-night sea air carried a chill.
Sophia pulled her shawl tighter.
Her bare feet sank into the sand.
There were no stars tonight.
Only a few scattered street lamps lit the coastline.
The day's accident replayed in her mind.
Something felt off.
Some details had been overlooked.
Each incident seemed like an accident.
But their simultaneous occurrence was too coincidental.
The lifeguard insisted he was delayed in the restroom.
But that very insistence felt deliberate.
Sophia looked up.
Her steps halted.
Sebastian Evans stood with his back to her at the water's edge.
He was on the phone.
"...Attorney Chen, how should this be handled?"
"...A private settlement? Impossible. We'll proceed with an international lawsuit, no matter how troublesome."
He understood the hotel's attitude.
A seven-star international resort.
Occupying the best private island in the Maldives.
Even royalty stayed here exclusively.
They certainly had the capital to be arrogant.
Unfortunately, they picked the wrong person this time.
The call ended.
He turned and met Sophia's gaze.
Sebastian was momentarily taken aback.
Then a slight smile touched his lips. "Can't sleep?"
"Couldn't sleep. Came out for a walk."
The sea air was moist.
And carried a chill.
Sophia asked softly, "Just now... was that about me?"
Sebastian nodded. "Liability laws are different overseas. Consulting a lawyer is more prudent."
Sophia pointed to a sand house not far away.
A 24-hour convenience store was lit up.
"Want a drink? My treat."
Surprise flickered in Sebastian's eyes.
He thought she would avoid him like she did this afternoon.
He didn't expect an invitation.
He smiled faintly. "Alright."
Her invitation.
He never refused.
Sebastian got an ice-cold beer.
Sophia chose coconut water.
They sat on beach chairs.
Sophia said, "Thank you."
Sebastian ran his fingers over the bottle. "I'm just glad you're not angry."
He had already decided to have the corporate legal team file an international lawsuit.
She had a right to know.
"Am I that ungrateful?" Sophia laughed softly. "Besides, this probably wasn't the first time."
Sebastian raised an eyebrow.
Listening as she continued.
"They weren't shocked at all. Their first instinct wasn't to comfort the guest, but to make excuses. The whole process was handled with practiced ease."
Sebastian listened quietly.
Then handed her a business card. "Someone might contact you for follow-up. Call this number if you have any issues."
Sophia glanced at it.
Mrs.Smith.
Senior Partner at Morning Star Law Firm.
A top lawyer who exclusively served the Evans family.
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
And thanked him again. "Thank you."
The Evans family's legal team was elite.
It would save countless headaches.
This was no longer an issue money could solve.
Sebastian turned to look at her.
His gaze was deep and serious. "I'm not a good man, Sophia. I'm not even a nice one. I'm only involved because it happened to you..."
The sea breeze brushed past.
Sophia avoided his eyes.
She looked out at the ocean. "What did you say just now? I didn't quite catch it."
Sebastian smiled. "It's alright if you didn't hear. I can say it again. Would you like to hear it?"
Sophia: "..." That won't be necessary.
...
Under the same night sky.
In an overwater villa.
Isabella Langley applied a face mask in front of the mirror.
You get what you pay for.
Skincare she could never afford before.
Now she could swipe without a care.
Ethan Roscente's supplementary card was in her possession.
No questions, no interference.
Using high-end products.
Even her skin texture had improved.
Ethan sat on the sofa.
His phone kept vibrating.
It grated on his nerves. "Isabella, your phone is ringing."
"Just hang up for me. It's definitely the academic advisor. So annoying!"
"Your advisor?"
"Yeah, I submitted a leave request before we left. Still calling. Is it really necessary?" She rolled her eyes.
Ethan: "...Was it approved?"
"Should be? Doesn't matter if it wasn't. We're already abroad. Everyone does this."
Ethan fell silent.
"I'm going out for a bit."
"Hey—wait for me, I'll be right ready…"
The only response was the sound of the door closing.
Ethan thought of Sophia again.
During university, their rare dates.
Were always interrupted by ringing phones.
Professor Eleanor Watson calling.
Once or twice was fine.
But it was incessant.
Data issues.
Citation errors.
Ethan would get angry.
She would pacify him while taking the call.
Her attitude always respectful.
"Doesn't it bother you?" he asked, frustrated.
She was surprised. "Why would it? It's my mistake. The professor is kindly pointing it out."
Yes.
Her emotions were always steady.
Even during arguments, she initiated communication.
Seeking solutions.
Never making unreasonable demands.
Sometimes Ethan felt her calmness was abnormal.
Her rational demeanor showed no trace of caring.
Isn't there a saying?
If a woman shows no emotional fluctuation around you.
She doesn't love you.
But Isabella was different.
Her emotions were easily swayed by him.
His glances.
His actions.
His words.
Made her insecure.
She used his mood as a benchmark.
Unconditionally accommodating.
Obedient to any request.
So.
After six years of mutual respect with Sophia.
Meeting Isabella.
Seeing her worshipful, admiring gaze.
Ethan was instantly captivated.