Chapter 205

"Mommy, please don't die... waaah!" Lily sobbed, clinging to Sophia's leg.

Ethan Blackwood's icy gaze swept over the scene before landing on Oliver Dawson, who was sprawled dramatically across the hospital bed. The man's beady eyes gleamed with greed as he pointed a stubby finger at Sophia.

"Mr. Blackwood! I don't want her pathetic life—it's not worth a dime! I want ten million! Ten million, or she can go sell herself on the streets! Let's see how many years it takes for her to pay me back with interest!" Oliver cackled, emboldened by Sophia's distress.

Just then, the attending physician entered, his expression tightening at the commotion.

Ethan turned to Sophia, his voice low but commanding. "This discussion about ten million isn't just disturbing the patient—it's disrupting the hospital. Where do you live? We'll settle this at your place."

Behind him, Nathan Carter stifled a chuckle, pressing a hand over his mouth. Since when does my boss use such obvious tactics?

Nathan schooled his expression and glanced at Ethan, who was watching Sophia with an unreadable intensity.

Oliver, however, panicked. "Mr. Blackwood! You can't let them leave! They haven't even apologized to me or my son!"

Ethan's lips curled into a cold smile. "I'll ensure you recover—and get your compensation."

Oliver and his wife exchanged uneasy glances. Something wasn't right.

The realization hit them like a bucket of ice water. Ethan wasn't here for Oliver.

He was here for Sophia.

Had they known each other before?

Oliver squinted, studying Lily's delicate features—then Ethan's sharp, aristocratic ones. His blood ran cold.

Without another word, Oliver scrambled off the bed, grabbing his son and clamping a hand over the boy's mouth. His face had gone ashen.

Ethan turned to Nathan. "Escort Miss Montgomery and Lily home. We'll discuss the compensation there."

With that, he strode out.

Nathan sighed, scooping Lily into his arms. "Mrs. Blackwood, little princess... let's go home. This needs to be resolved."

"Mommy..." Lily sniffled.

Sophia and Noah Whitmore followed silently.

Back in the ward, Oliver's wife whirled on him. "We were about to get ten million! Why did you act like a scared rat the second that man showed up?"

Oliver slapped her hard across the face. "You stupid woman! We might be dead because of you!"

His wife gaped. "What... what do you mean?"

"I told you to stop bullying Lily and her mother! Now we're finished!" Oliver roared, striking his wife and son again.

Neither dared to protest.

After a tense silence, his wife whispered, "Oliver... what's happening?"

"Lily is Ethan Blackwood's daughter."

The color drained from her face. She collapsed onto the floor.

Oliver trembled. "I thought he was just some businessman passing through. But he knew our son went to the same kindergarten as Lily."

His wife paled further. "Then... why would he help us against his own daughter?"

Oliver snarled. "You think he was helping us? He was setting us up!"

He grabbed his son's arm. "Pack everything valuable. We're leaving now."

Mason Dawson wailed. "No! I want Lily to kneel and apologize first!"

Oliver backhanded him. "You brat! You've ruined us!"

The family fled the hospital like rats escaping a sinking ship.

Meanwhile, Ethan led Sophia and Noah to a quaint cottage on the outskirts of Willowbrook County.

The house was charming—a blend of rustic and modern, surrounded by a low fence draped in blooming vines. A small vegetable garden thrived near the sunlit terrace.

Ethan studied the peaceful scene, his voice deceptively calm. "You've been living comfortably."

Sophia's fingers tightened around Lily's hand. She met his gaze evenly.

She had known this day would come. There was no running now.

Ethan's eyes traced her face. Six years had only sharpened her beauty. Gone was the gaunt, desperate woman fresh from prison. Now, she carried herself with quiet confidence, her features softened by maturity.

Sophia spoke first. "If you want revenge, take it on me. Noah and Lily are innocent."

Ethan smirked. "Is this your version of defiance? Playing martyr?"

Before Sophia could retort, the roar of engines cut through the air.

A fleet of luxury cars pulled up behind them.

Men in tailored suits hurried out, their expressions a mix of panic and sycophancy.

"Mr. Blackwood! Had we known you were visiting Willowbrook, we would have prepared a grand welcome!" one stammered, bowing slightly.

Another wiped sweat from his brow. "Please, allow us to host you at The Grand Willow tonight!"

More cars arrived. The quiet street was now lined with vehicles—and powerful men desperate for Ethan's favor.

Sophia exhaled slowly.

The past had finally caught up to her.