Chapter 285

The aroma of food filled the air, stirring Sophia's already growling stomach. Just as she descended the stairs, Ethan took a seat directly across from her.

Sophia froze.

Eating with him?

She didn’t dare.

Her nerves tightened like a coiled spring.

"Why are you standing there? Serve me," Ethan commanded, his tone flat.

"Right…" Sophia murmured obediently.

She picked up the rice spoon, her fingers trembling slightly as she scooped a portion for him. His piercing gaze never left her, intensifying her unease. The spoon shook in her grip, spilling half the rice onto the table.

Ethan snatched the spoon from her hand. "You can’t even serve rice properly, yet you think you can handle working outside with men all day?"

Sophia’s chest tightened with sudden hurt.

Wasn’t this his idea? He was the one who demanded she repay the ten-million debt on her own!

And now he was blaming her?

Tears welled up, but she refused to let him see. Crying in front of him felt like weakness—something she couldn’t afford. She ducked her head, swallowing hard against the lump in her throat.

Then, a bowl of rice slid in front of her.

"Is this enough?" Ethan’s deep voice rumbled.

Sophia didn’t register the question. Assuming he’d noticed her tears, she shook her head frantically, sending droplets flying.

In an instant, he pulled the bowl back. When it returned, it was piled high like a miniature mountain.

Sophia blinked at the absurd portion.

Was he trying to feed a horse?

She had never eaten this much in one sitting!

"I… why did you give me so much?" She wouldn’t even finish half.

Ethan’s expression remained unreadable. "You said you wanted more. If you take it, you finish it."

Sophia’s lips parted in disbelief.

Was this another punishment?

"I can’t eat all this," she whispered.

"You will. Skinny as a twig, yet you think you can keep up with men outside?" His voice sharpened with irritation.

Sophia exhaled slowly, then resigned herself to the task.

She ate methodically, bite after bite, until the mound of rice was finally gone. Just as she thought she was free, a rib—juicy and tender—landed in her bowl.

"I… I really can’t eat anymore," she protested weakly.

"Eating only rice isn’t healthy. I—" He was about to say he’d serve her more meat, but Sophia cut in hastily.

"I’ll eat, I’ll eat it myself!"

The idea of him serving her was terrifying enough without adding to it.

"Good." With that, he turned his attention to his own meal.

The ribs were delicious—so much so that Sophia couldn’t resist reaching for a second.

Her chopsticks collided with Ethan’s.

Her breath hitched.

Here she was, sharing a meal with a man who had just coldly dismissed a famous actress an hour ago, and now they were fighting over the same piece of meat.

Could this get any more awkward?

Flustered, she tried to pull back, but he mirrored her movement, their chopsticks tangling in the bowl.

Sophia yanked hers away.

Ethan did the same.

His icy stare made it clear: if she didn’t finish this meal properly, he wouldn’t let her leave.

Gritting her teeth, she reached for another rib.

Their chopsticks clashed again.

This time, he trapped hers beneath his.

Why did they keep targeting the same piece?

Sophia didn’t dare move.

Ethan released her, and she withdrew her chopsticks, opting to stick with plain rice instead.

No more ribs.

To her surprise, he didn’t push further.

But as she ate, he began placing food in her bowl—a slice of spiced beef here, another rib there.

She kept her head down, focusing on chewing, while he alternated between feeding her and eating himself.

By the time she finally finished, Ethan’s own bowl was empty, a small pile of bones stacked neatly beside it.

He had been eating this whole time too.

Sophia couldn’t help but marvel. Of course a man like him would have a bigger appetite.

Then, unbidden, the memory of last night flashed through her mind—his lips capturing hers, swallowing her whole.

Heat rushed to her cheeks.

"What’s wrong?" Ethan asked, noticing her flush.

"I…" She scrambled for an excuse. "Thank you. For finding Lily such a good kindergarten and building her that playroom."

"It’s deducted from your debt," he said coolly.

As if she needed to thank him for his own daughter.

Still, warmth flickered in her chest.

"That…" She stifled a hiccup. "For a while…"

"I’ll put Lily to bed," Ethan interrupted, rising from the table.

Sophia didn’t dare question him.

She watched as he disappeared into the playroom, then crept closer, peering through the glass window.

Ethan was carefully constructing a block tower for Lily, who watched with rapt attention. His structure was far sturdier and more intricate than anything a child could make.

Sophia’s fingers itched with the urge to join them.

Architecture had always been her passion.

Not just because of Victoria, but because she genuinely loved the craft.

From her spot by the window, she fought the impulse to rush in and show Ethan how to make the tower even stronger, more perfect.

More beautiful.