Chapter 195

Noah never pressured Sophia.

Their relationship had settled into a comfortable sibling dynamic over the years, and now, they truly felt like family.

Sophia’s daughter, Lily, called him "Uncle" with affection.

Four years passed in the blink of an eye.

Life was simple but fulfilling. Every afternoon, Sophia would return home to care for Noah—helping him inside from the garden, making his bed, and ensuring he was comfortable. By the time she finished, it was just the right moment to pick up Lily from kindergarten.

Normally, after fetching Lily, the little girl would spend time with her uncle while Sophia worked a few extra hours at the construction site. She’d return home by six-thirty.

But today, as soon as Sophia wheeled Noah inside, her phone rang.

She answered immediately. "Hello, Miss Bennett?"

It was Lily’s kindergarten teacher.

"Mrs. Montgomery, you need to come right away. Your daughter has gotten into another fight!" Miss Bennett’s tone was sharp with disapproval.

Sophia exhaled. "I’ll be there soon."

She hung up and turned to leave, but Noah stopped her. "Sophia…"

"Yes?"

His voice was gentle. "Don’t be too hard on Lily. She’s a good child."

Sophia rubbed her temples. "But she keeps fighting! Brother, where does she get this from? I was never like this as a child, and you’re not aggressive either. Why is she—?"

Noah chuckled. "You’re forgetting, Sophia. She has a father who’s ruthless and domineering."

Sophia stiffened.

Of course, she hadn’t forgotten.

But she also knew Ethan would never acknowledge Lily.

Not only would he reject her, but he might even try to destroy them both.

"I’m heading to the kindergarten," Sophia said.

"Go. Just remember—don’t scold her too harshly," Noah reminded.

Sophia rushed out, her thoughts racing.

Who had Lily fought with this time? In the four years they’d lived in Willowbrook County, Lily had already switched kindergartens three times—each time because of her fierce temper. Despite being a girl, she was fearless and unyielding.

Ten minutes later, Sophia arrived at the school to find Miss Bennett placating an irate couple.

"I’m so sorry, Mr. Dawson. Mrs. Montgomery will be here shortly. Let’s discuss this when she arrives, alright?"

A heavyset man snarled, "I don’t care who her mother is! When she gets here, she’d better take her brat and get out! No—she’ll kneel and apologize to my son first!"

Behind him, a small but defiant voice shot back, "I’ll never kneel to anyone! You wish!"

"You little brat!" The man pointed furiously at Lily. "You’d better beg for my son’s forgiveness, or I’ll make sure you regret it!"

"That’s enough." Sophia’s icy voice cut through the tension.

The man whirled around, sneering at her. "So you’re the mother? Make your daughter kneel and apologize. Now."

Sophia kept her voice steady. "Watch your tone, sir."

The woman beside him—dressed in an ostentatious fur coat—snapped, "Oh, did he say something wrong? You’re just some unwed mother raising a little savage! A disgrace like you has no right to talk back!"

Sophia clenched her fists but remained composed. "My daughter is a year younger than your son. How could she possibly overpower him? And even if they did fight, children clash all the time. Must you escalate this?"

She glanced at Lily, then at the boy.

He was a full head taller than Lily, glaring at her with malice.

Lily, however, stuck her tongue out at him, completely unafraid.

"Lily!" Sophia scolded.

The girl immediately straightened up.

"You still dare to act smug!" The woman shrieked. "Make her kneel, or I swear—"

"Mrs. Dawson, please calm down!" Miss Bennett intervened hastily. "Let’s discuss this rationally."

Once the woman’s fury subsided slightly, the teacher pulled Sophia aside.

"Mrs. Montgomery, I have to say—Lily is too aggressive. She doesn’t act like a girl at all. Today, she really did hit Mason."

Sophia crossed her arms. "If my child attacked without reason, I’ll make her apologize. But she will not kneel. And before anything, I want to see the surveillance footage. There’s always a reason behind these things."

She knew Lily better than anyone.

At home, Lily was sweet and helpful—taking care of Noah, assisting with chores, even worrying over stray animals.

"Mom, will they be okay? Will anyone hurt them?"

How could such a gentle-hearted child start fights unprovoked?

Yet, beneath that kindness, Lily had inherited her father’s unyielding nature.

"When I grow up, I’ll protect you and Uncle. No one will ever bully you."

Noah was right—Lily’s spirit was pure Ethan.

But Sophia refused to believe her daughter would act without cause.

She needed to see the footage.

Miss Bennett hesitated, then lowered her voice. "Mrs. Montgomery, the Dawsons have influence in this county. Mr. Dawson holds a government position. Their family isn’t one to cross."

Sophia’s gaze hardened.

"I don’t care who they are. Show me the video."