He sighed and answered the call. "Hello, Vanessa."
"Hi, Ethan!" Vanessa's voice was cheerful, almost too cheerful for Ethan's current state of mind. "I have some exciting news!"
Ethan forced himself to sound interested. "What’s going on?"
"I'm modeling for a top jewelry brand tomorrow," Vanessa announced. "They've chosen me to wear their most exquisite necklace. It's a huge deal, Ethan. I really want you to be there."
Ethan's grip tightened on the phone. The last thing he wanted was to attend an event with Vanessa, especially after the turmoil with Sophie. But he knew he couldn’t refuse without causing more complications. "Congratulations, Vanessa. That’s great news. Where is it?"
Vanessa's voice was filled with enthusiasm. "It’s going to be held at the Grand Hotel. The event starts a
