His footsteps echoed through the empty hallway, emphasizing his isolation.

Ethan pressed the button for the underground parking garage as he stepped into the elevator.

At Hawthorne Residence, Sophia sat perched on a cream-colored leather sofa.

Her slender fingers nervously twisted the hem of her simple white dress.

She had rushed over immediately after receiving her termination notice and had been waiting ever since.

Familiar footsteps sounded from the entrance, causing her to look up sharply.

Tears welled in her eyes as Ethan pushed the door open and entered.

His black suit contrasted sharply with his stoic, chiseled features, which showed no emotion.

“Ethan,” Sophia’s voice broke as she rose unsteadily and moved toward him.

Her natural grace was tinged with vulnerability, making her appear pitiful.

“Tell me, why are you doing this to me?”

Ignoring her tearful plea, Ethan headed straight to the bar and poured himself a whiskey.

“I don’t understand what I’ve done to make you hate me so much. I can leave right now and disappear from your life…”

Sophia turned as if to leave, her mind racing with silent calculations.

She was certain Ethan wouldn’t let her go.

But he didn’t respond. He simply stood there, sipping his whiskey, seemingly indifferent to her performance.

Sophia bit her trembling lip.

She clutched her chest and suddenly collapsed to the floor in a feigned faint.

Ethan’s expression tightened, a flicker of concern crossing his face.

He rushed over and carefully lifted her, placing her on the sofa. “Sophia! Sophia!”

Tears glistened in Sophia’s eyes as she slowly opened them. “Ethan…” she whispered weakly. “My heart… it hurts so much… Remember when I saved you? That was when… I first got injured…”

She spoke haltingly, her voice heavy with manufactured sadness. She was playing her trump card, betting on Ethan’s sense of obligation from their shared past.

Observing her frail appearance, Ethan sighed. “You don’t need to worry. I’ll take care of you.”

He carefully lifted her into his arms and strode out the door.

The hospital hallway smelled strongly of disinfectant.

Ethan approached a doctor. “How is she, Doctor?”

Removing his mask, the doctor replied, “She needs to stay for observation. We’re waiting for her test results to know more.”

Lying on the hospital bed, her face pale, Sophia managed a weak smile. “Ethan, could you… get me something to eat?”

Noticing the expectation in her eyes, Ethan nodded. “Okay. I’ll find you something to eat.”

He then left, his tall figure disappearing down the corridor.

Sophia watched him go, then slowly sat up, all traces of fragility gone.

She walked to the doctor’s office and knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

Sophia entered, pulling a thick envelope from her bag and placing it on the doctor’s desk.

“This is a small token of my appreciation. I trust you know how to report on my condition?”

The doctor discreetly took the envelope, a smile spreading across his face. “Don’t worry, Miss Reed. I have everything under control.”

Sophia gave a satisfied nod and left the office.