Chapter 281

The corners of her lips curved slightly. "Am I still qualified to work in architectural design?"

"Why not? Haven't you considered applying for a position in the field?" Julian Montgomery arched a brow.

Could she… really get hired?

Sophia Montgomery lowered her gaze, shaking her head faintly.

"You won’t know unless you try," Julian countered with a smirk.

Sophia bit her lip, hesitation flickering in her eyes.

Across the room, Ethan Blackwood finished his conversation with Oliver Grayson and strode back to Sophia. He checked his watch. "It's getting late..."

Late?

Her heart clenched.

This was it—the moment of separation. Who would Ethan hand her over to? Mr. Montgomery, who had been the most attentive to her? Or Mr. Holloway, with the scar tracing his jaw?

She didn’t know. Head bowed, she stood frozen, like a lifeless doll.

Ethan wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her up. "We should head out. Lily’s waiting at home."

"Goodbye, everyone! Let’s meet up again soon—maybe for a spa day?" Natalie Montgomery beamed at Sophia.

The other two women chimed in, "We could even make it a girls' night—cards, drinks, the works!"

Natalie grinned. "Sophia’s an architect, so she’ll be busy, but weekends are fair game, right?" She glanced at Ethan. "Unless you object?"

Ethan’s response was curt. "As long as she’s happy." With that, he guided Sophia out of the room.

Behind them, the group exchanged glances.

Natalie smirked. "And here I thought she was just another conquest. Turns out, she’s practically royalty."

Oliver, usually silent, frowned. "Is Ethan serious about her?"

Julian chuckled. "Told you so."

Sebastian Holloway crossed his arms. "Then what about Isabella?"

Julian scoffed. "Isabella? She’s irrelevant."

Sebastian blinked. "Damn."

Outside, Ethan led Sophia through the lobby and toward the parking lot.

Only when Nathan Carter opened the car door did Sophia realize—her fears hadn’t come true.

Ethan hadn’t handed her off to anyone.

Confusion twisted her stomach. She clutched his sleeve. "You… didn’t make me entertain your friends. Why did you bring me here tonight?"

She didn’t understand.

And uncertainty terrified her.

Nathan, watching from the driver’s seat, visibly winced as Ethan’s expression darkened.

The air turned glacial. "Do you enjoy the idea of serving men?"

Sophia flinched.

"Get in the car," Ethan ordered, his voice low.

She obeyed, sliding into the heated interior. The warmth did little to thaw the tension. Silence stretched between them, thick and suffocating.

Nathan cleared his throat. "Ma’am… those men tonight? They’re the closest thing Master Blackwood has to brothers. Their bond runs deeper than blood."

Sophia blinked. "Oh."

She’d been sharp once—able to read people with a glance. But six years of hell had dulled her instincts.

Noah Whitmore’s betrayal. Exile. Capture. And now, her daughter held hostage.

How could she trust anything?

Ethan hadn’t forced her into bed with anyone. He’d even shielded her from Ava Sinclair’s venom tonight. But what did that mean?

In this world, she’d always be a pawn.

A plaything.

The realization settled over her like a shroud. Without protest, she leaned against Ethan’s arm.

He didn’t push her away.

Ethan’s mind churned. Earlier, his aunt Eleanor had called—Grandfather William demanded to see Lily.

The Blackwood lineage hung by a thread. With the patriarch ill, rumors had reached him: Ethan’s relentless pursuit of a woman. A child who bore his likeness.

Now, William wanted Lily brought to Blackwood Manor.

Permanently.

The elevator doors slid open. Ethan carried Sophia inside, her breathing steady with sleep.

Nathan stared after them, stunned.

Since when did the Ice King carry anyone?