Chapter 321

The atmosphere in the grand hall of Blackwood Manor turned icy the moment Ethan Blackwood spoke.

William Thornton, Benjamin Thornton, and Eleanor Blackwood all stiffened, their expressions unreadable.

Nathan Carter’s jaw nearly dropped.

His boss had just ordered him to photograph a woman with a bruised, swollen face?

This was…unexpected.

Was it to appease his five-year-old daughter?

Nathan’s instincts told him no. The real target was the woman who owed Ethan millions—Sophia Montgomery.

The thought of Ethan humiliating Isabella Thornton to please Sophia sent a thrill through him. He reached for his phone, but before he could snap a picture, Isabella’s saccharine voice dripped into the air.

"Master…"

The sound was so grating it raised goosebumps.

Ethan didn’t spare her a glance. His cold gaze remained fixed on William Thornton.

"A lady of the Thornton family brawling in my living room, tearing hair, drawing blood—how disgraceful." His voice was steel. "You’ve tarnished centuries of Thornton dignity."

He turned his attention fully to the old man. "Train your granddaughter before parading her in public. If you can’t control her, I will."

His eyes flicked to Nathan. "Take the pictures. Every angle."

Nathan responded with exaggerated enthusiasm. "Right away, sir!"

Internally, he marveled at Ethan’s audacity.

This wasn’t about justice—it was revenge served with a smirk.

Nathan circled Isabella, capturing her humiliation in high definition.

Isabella wished for death.

William Thornton’s face darkened. "What is the meaning of this, Ethan?"

Ethan’s expression didn’t waver. "Respect is earned, not demanded. My surname is Blackwood, not Thornton. I don’t answer to you."

William’s lips thinned. After a tense silence, he asked, "You’re discarding Isabella for that woman—Sophia. You want to legitimize that bastard child, don’t you?"

Ethan’s gaze sharpened.

William pressed on. "Your mother was dignified, driven—worthy of admiration. Sophia is nothing like her. Six years ago, she manipulated the elite, stole your mother’s emerald bracelet—"

Ethan’s fingers twitched. He’d nearly forgotten about the bracelet.

"—and now you’d let her raise your heir? A child molded by deceit?"

Ethan’s smile was glacial. "My daughter is with me. Her mother is irrelevant." He stood, lifting Lily into his arms. "Focus on disciplining your own."

As he strode toward the exit, William Blackwood called after him. "Ethan! The family dinner—your grandmother prepared gifts for Lily!"

Ethan didn’t pause. "Your home reeks of pettiness. I won’t subject my daughter to this circus."

The door slammed behind him.

Nathan drove, glancing at Lily through the rearview mirror. "That was impressive, little princess. Two birds with one stone—you took down both of your mother’s rivals in one move."

Lily blinked innocently. "What do you mean, Uncle Nathan?"

He chuckled. "You’re a natural. Consider me a fan."