Ex-Lover as My Divorce Lawyer? This Train Wreck Just Got Scorching! - Chapter 11: Chapter 11

Three years later, Stellar Law Firm's Chicago branch celebrated its first anniversary.
Ethan, dressed in a high-end custom suit, stood below the stage watching a partner prepare for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, his expression indifferent.
Suddenly, the surrounding lights dimmed, leaving only one beam focused on a corner.
An announcement came over the venue's speakers.
"Now, let's invite one of our Chicago branch investors to the stage for a few words."
Ethan started, involuntarily looking toward Byron Shaw, the partner walking toward him.
"Investor? Why didn't you tell me about this?"
Byron chuckled: "You're a busy man. Are you sure I didn't send you the investor's information on Instagram?"
Ethan pressed his lips together, then turned his gaze to where the light converged.
A figure in a white gown gracefully appeared.
Porcelain skin, vibrant lips, upturned eyeliner—displaying a distinctive, straightforward elegance.
As the figure slowly walked to the front of the stage, Ethan's wavering gaze finally found its focus.
His magnetic voice slowly pronounced two words.
"Sophia Reed..."
The moment their eyes met, Sophia showed no surprise.
From the moment she returned to the States, she knew she would eventually run into Ethan.
Yet, seeing his increasingly mature appearance and cold demeanor, her heart still skipped a beat.
Quickly composing herself, she began her prepared speech.
Watching the woman speaking confidently on stage, Byron's eyes filled with admiration.
"Ethan, this investor is something else. Divorced with a child, she's made quite a name for herself in international investment circles. Hey, where are you going?"
Before he could finish, he saw the usually composed Ethan striding rapidly toward the front.
At that moment, Sophia had just finished speaking and was walking toward the elevator.
Just as she entered, Ethan's hand shot out to hold the door: "Wait."
Sophia's expression froze briefly before she put on a flawless smile.
"Mr. James."
Ethan stared at her, his face also returning to normal.
"You left so decisively back then, and now you're investing in Stellar. What exactly are you trying to do?"
Sophia was taken aback, then smiled.
"Mr. James, when it comes to making money, I never mix in personal feelings."
"Isn't what happened in the past already over? Why bring it up now?"
Ethan's gaze shifted from her to the elevator mirror, where reflections of them surrounded them from all sides.
He lowered his eyes: "You still had the child. Why?"
Out of his sight, Sophia suddenly clenched her palm, her voice turning cold.
"That's my personal business. I don't want to discuss it."
Ethan nodded: "I see."
The elevator fell into silence.
When they reached the fifteenth floor, a ding sounded, and the doors opened.
Sophia walked out first, while Ethan remained still.
Only after the elevator doors closed did Sophia raise a hand to her heart.
Pushing all memories of Ethan out of her mind, she headed to her reserved room.
With Christmas approaching, Sophia had specially reserved a private room for her studio's celebration party.
The atmosphere was lively, and she couldn't resist having a few drinks.
By the time everyone dispersed, the alcohol had just hit her, making her face flushed and her steps slightly unsteady.
She walked out with several colleagues, running into Ethan again at the elevator.
Ethan stood alone waiting for the elevator, appearing to have left early.
With more people in the elevator now, Sophia didn't feel as awkward as before.
Before exiting, a colleague asked her, "Sophia, maybe you should take a cab? You can pick up your car tomorrow."
Sophia waved dismissively. "No need. I called a driver service."
After leaving the hotel, everyone went their separate ways, leaving Sophia standing alone at the curb waiting for her driver.
The wind was biting, quickly dispersing the warmth in her body. Sophia pulled her coat tighter, occasionally checking her phone to track the driver's location.
The driver who was supposed to be five minutes away inexplicably hadn't arrived. She called him, only to be told he wasn't coming.
"What do you mean you're not coming? I'm going to report you!"
Sophia had barely finished speaking when the call disconnected. Opening the driving app again, she found her order had already been canceled.
She didn't even have time to get angry before the cold became unbearable, forcing her to take shelter in her car.
After the heater had been running for a while, she finally felt her body warming up.
Just as she was about to call another driver, the car door suddenly opened.
Cold air rushed in, instantly sobering Sophia.
"What the hell? You…"
Before she could finish, she looked up to see Ethan holding the door, looking down at her.