Chapter 157

The meeting had barely begun when the old man stormed in, slamming the door open with a force that made the walls tremble.

"Ethan! Find that woman for me—I'll end her with my own hands!" William Blackwood's voice was a thunderous growl, his aged face twisted with fury.

Ethan Blackwood didn't even flinch. His icy gaze locked onto his grandfather. "That place is her home. Even if she uses every trick in the book, as long as I don't take the bait, she can't lure me there. Haven’t you heard? A fly doesn’t land on an uncracked egg."

William’s lips thinned.

A long silence stretched between them before the old man exhaled sharply. "Ethan, I’ve lived over eighty years. I’ve had countless descendants, but in the end, only you and Victoria remain—one inside the family, one outside. And now, both of you are tangled up with her. How can I rest easy?"

His voice lowered, but the threat was unmistakable. "You don’t have to hand her over. But mark my words—I will find her in Harborview City. And when I do, don’t blame me for what happens next."

A humorless smirk curled William’s lips. "You think your ruthlessness comes from nowhere? It’s in your blood, boy. You’re vicious because I am vicious."

With that, he turned to leave.

Ethan’s jaw tightened. His grandfather wasn’t making empty threats.

"Wait."

William paused, glancing back.

Ethan’s voice was steel. "If I find her—what will you do?"

The old man’s tone softened, just slightly. "I know she stayed by your mother’s side until the end. For that, I’ll spare her—if she obeys. But if she keeps dragging you and Victoria into scandal, tarnishing the Blackwood name—" His eyes darkened. "I’ll tear her apart."

Ethan gave a curt nod. "Understood."

"Don’t keep me waiting." William strode out, leaving the words hanging like a blade.

Behind Ethan, Nathan Carter hesitated before speaking. "Sir, the video clearly shows Mr. Sterling and Mr. Whitmore causing trouble at Miss Montgomery’s door. She had nothing to do with it."

Ethan’s expression frosted over. "Her charm knows no bounds. Bold enough to let that footage spread online without lifting a finger. This is exactly the outcome she wanted, isn’t it?"

Nathan swallowed hard. Damn it. He’d forgotten—his boss was always composed, until Sophia Montgomery was involved.

"Sir," the PR director called from behind them. "We’ve traced the video’s sources. How should we proceed?"

"Delete them." Two words, sharp as a guillotine.

"But… there are thousands—"

"All of them."

The man paled. "Y-Yes, sir. Right away."

Ethan didn’t return to his office. Instead, he snatched Nathan’s phone and headed for the exit.

"Sir, where are you—?"

Silence.

Nathan scrambled after him, shutting the office door before rushing to the car. He didn’t ask questions—just drove straight to Sophia’s apartment.

Sophia had just finished packing. The two worn suitcases lay open on the floor, her few belongings neatly folded inside. She grabbed a basin, stepping out to wash up—

And froze.

A towering figure blocked her doorway, his presence darkening the cramped space.

"You—" Her voice caught. "Why are you here?"

Ethan’s gaze was glacial. "What’s wrong? Liam Sterling and Noah Whitmore can brawl at your doorstep, but I can’t show up?"

Her face drained of color.

This place—this shame—was the last thing she wanted him to see. The neighborhood was a haven for the desperate: women who sold themselves for scraps, sending every penny back to families they’d never escape.

And now, Ethan Blackwood stood in the middle of it, his tailored suit worth more than a year of her rent.

She instinctively moved to block his view of the room—bare walls, a rickety cot, a single cloth wardrobe. But he was taller, his eyes sweeping over the poverty she’d tried to hide.

Two bulging sacks sat by the door. The wardrobe hung open, empty.

"Planning to run off with Sterling or Whitmore?" His voice dripped venom.

Sophia’s throat burned. She dug into her pocket and thrust out a bus ticket. "I leave for Willowbrook County in three days. I wanted to go today, but the tickets were sold out." Her voice wavered. "You don’t have to worry."

Ethan went still.

She’s leaving.

The realization hit like a punch to the gut.

"You’d better explain this to my grandfather. He won’t wait three days." Ethan’s tone was harsh, but something flickered beneath it.

Sophia nodded.

When he didn’t move, she forced out, "Is there anything else? This place isn’t fit for someone like you."

A cold laugh. "You live here just fine. Why shouldn’t I step in?"

He turned on his heel and left.

The anger didn’t fade, not even when Nathan pulled up to Ethan’s penthouse.

"Sir," Nathan ventured as the car stopped, "should I—"

"Go back."

Nathan blinked. "Back… to Miss Montgomery’s?"

Ethan didn’t answer.

The unspoken command hung between them.

Find out why she’s really leaving.