Sophia was exhausted. The past twenty-four hours had been a circus.
She flopped onto the massive bed, groaning. So much for leaving—now she was stuck here, forced to “play nice” with the Kanes.
A knock came at the door. She sat up fast.
“Come in,” she said, clearing her throat.
Mr. Howard, the butler, entered with a neatly folded stack of clothes.
“Miss Cole, these are from Mr. Kane,” he said.
Sophia nodded.
Then came the dagger:
“Mr. Kane also asked me to remind you—teachers should look the part. Please avoid… unprofessional attire that might affect the young master’s aesthetic sense.”
Mr. Howard gave a polite bow and left.
Sophia’s face flamed red. She looked down at the conservative, high-necked blouses he’d sent. Insufferable man. Insulting her without a single curse word.
By the time she came downstairs, wrapped tightly in one of the dull blouses, only Ethan was in the dining room. He didn’t look up, didn’t greet her, didn’t acknowledge her existence.
“Where’s your father?” she asked before she could stop herself.
And immediately regretted it.
Sure enough, Ethan’s glare snapped toward her. “Still scheming? Forget it—Dad’s not interested in you, you pathetic woman!”
Sophia didn’t bother getting angry. She smiled slyly.
“Oh honey, don’t say that. I already told you—I like you, remember? So young and fresh.”
She threw him a deliberately exaggerated wink.
Ethan recoiled, disgusted. “You’re insane!”
He stormed off, muttering under his breath. Sophia smirked. “Rookie,” she said softly, settling into her chair. “Don’t challenge the pro.”
Finally alone, she was about to enjoy breakfast when heavy footsteps sounded behind her.
Ethan again—this time carrying textbooks, face set in grim determination.
“Eat fast,” he said. “You’re tutoring me after this.”
Sophia sighed, instantly losing her appetite. Right. Private tutor. Great.
Back in the study, she flipped through his prep materials and exhaled in relief. The content wasn’t too difficult—middle school history, mostly. Whoever his previous tutor was had made decent notes, though clearly lacked direction.
She might not have been a teacher in years, but she was still a top student once. Picking this up was child’s play.
Ethan sat stiffly, radiating annoyance. Sophia laid three practice exams on the table.
“What’s this supposed to be?” he snapped.
“Tests,” she said sweetly.
His expression twisted. “You’re taking revenge, aren’t you?”
“Can’t handle it?”
Her voice was light, teasing. He looked ready to explode.
Sophia reached out and pinched his cheek lightly. “Still so soft,” she murmured.
“Don’t touch me!” He slapped her hand away, face burning.
“What, never had a girl pinch your face before?” she teased. “Or maybe no girl’s dared come close?”
Ethan went silent, fists clenched. His expression—cold, brittle, painfully proud—was a perfect echo of his father’s.
“Too much,” he muttered.
Sophia laughed. “Then stop acting like such easy prey.”
She checked the clock and her tone shifted.
“Alright, focus. Finish before dinner.” She handed him a pen.
When he hesitated, she added lazily, “If you don’t, I might have to ask your dad for extra lessons. Who knows, maybe we’ll ‘bond’ over your progress.”
That did it. Ethan grabbed the pen like it was a weapon.
Over my dead body.
Sophia smiled in satisfaction and tapped his back lightly with a ruler. “Sit straight. You’ll ruin your eyesight.”
He glared at her but obeyed.
She yawned, half-watching as he scribbled furiously. The servants brought fruit and milk throughout the afternoon, all of which she happily devoured.
Sometimes, when she thought no one was watching, her fingers twisted together unconsciously—an old nervous tic.
From the security feed in his office, Alexander Kane saw it all. His gaze softened almost imperceptibly.
She reminded him of someone. Someone he shouldn’t still be seeing in every shadow.
With a quiet sigh, he pressed a button on his desk.
His assistant entered.
“Dig up everything on her,” Alexander said flatly. “More thorough than last time.”
“Yes, Mr. Kane.”
