Chapter 347

Sophia remained silent as she picked up the documents Elizabeth had tossed onto her desk, meticulously organizing them.

No one could fault her work ethic. She was determined to prove herself here.

Her first day at Montgomery Designs had been chaotic, to say the least. She had expected Elizabeth to make things difficult for her—forcing her to stay late to finish sorting through the files. But to her surprise, at exactly 5:30 PM, Elizabeth announced,

"We don't do overtime here. You can finish that tomorrow. No need to turn yourself into a haggard mess—you're already just a junior designer. Clock out."

Though the words were harsh, Sophia didn’t let them bother her.

She grabbed her bag and walked out with the others. At the lobby, she spotted Sophia Carter waiting for her.

"Sophia!" Galia—no, Sophia Carter—called out excitedly.

"Just got off," Sophia replied with a smile.

"How was your first day?" Sophia Carter asked.

"Good," Sophia answered simply.

They swiped their cards, stepped into the elevator, and exited the building together. Once outside, Sophia Carter leaned in and whispered,

"You won’t believe the gossip today. Olivia Kensington stormed out of the office and didn’t come back all afternoon. She’s always been so high and mighty—this is the first time she’s been humbled like this."

She paused, then added, "Just be careful around her if she stays. She’s not the forgiving type."

Sophia nodded. "Thanks for the warning."

"So…" Sophia Carter’s eyes gleamed with curiosity. "Is it true you know Liam Sterling? The one related to Ethan Blackwood?"

Sophia stiffened. "You asked your cousin about me?"

"How did you know?" Sophia Carter grinned. "But he wouldn’t tell me anything. Just said I should look out for you at work. If anyone gives you trouble, I’m supposed to report it to him."

She tilted her head. "Are you two… involved?"

Sophia opened her mouth, but before she could respond, a sleek black car pulled up in front of them.

"Oh my god!" Sophia Carter gasped. "Speak of the devil!"

Nathan Carter rolled down the window. "Sophia, take the bus home. I’ll handle this."

Sophia barely had time to wave goodbye before Nathan ushered her into the car.

Sophia Carter stood frozen, watching the car disappear. "So she really is his girlfriend…" she muttered. "Guess I’d better be extra nice to her."

Inside the car, Ethan Blackwood sat with his eyes closed, exuding an air of quiet dominance. Sophia hesitated before finally speaking.

"Nathan… shouldn’t we pick up Lily first? Kindergarten lets out at 4:30."

"You were the priority," Ethan replied without opening his eyes. "We’ll get her now."

Sophia blinked, taken aback by his casual tone. She bit her lip and stayed silent.

"How was work?" Ethan asked, his voice indifferent.

"Fine." For her, having a job—any job—was a blessing.

"No trouble?" he pressed.

Sophia didn’t answer immediately.

She knew Ethan had eyes everywhere. He probably already knew everything that had happened.

Finally, she said softly, "You already know, don’t you?"

"I want to hear it from you," he countered. "What happened with Julian Montgomery?"

Sophia exhaled. "Nothing worth mentioning."

Ethan’s jaw tightened. Even Nathan glanced back in the rearview mirror, impressed by her boldness.

No one spoke to Ethan Blackwood like that.

After a tense silence, Ethan arched a brow. "I don’t work at your company. How would I know unless you tell me?"

His patience was unusual. Normally, he wouldn’t tolerate defiance. But Sophia intrigued him.

She had held her ground in the cafeteria, unfazed by the drama.

Just like Lily’s mother should.

It struck him then—Lily’s sharp wit and stubbornness didn’t just come from him. Sophia had given her that fire too.

Sophia glanced at Nathan, then said coolly, "You already had Nathan’s cousin watching me. Why ask me to repeat what you already know?"

"That’s not—" Nathan cut in, offended. "I just asked her to keep an eye out for you! She started asking me questions—like if you were my girlfriend!"

Sophia flushed. "I’m sorry, I didn’t mean—"

"It’s fine," Nathan muttered.

She turned back to Ethan. "I don’t know Julian Montgomery. He insisted on taking me to lunch, just like Liam Sterling did. What was I supposed to do? Ignoring him was the only option."

Ethan’s expression softened slightly.

"If you don’t want me working there, I won’t go back," Sophia added quietly.

"I’m not stopping you," he said sharply.

"What?"

"I said your outfit today is hideous."

Sophia stared at him, baffled.

That had come out of nowhere.

The comment had actually originated from Julian, who had told his uncle, "She’s perfect—except for her outdated clothes. But that just makes her more genuine."

Ethan had noticed Sophia’s worn dress that morning but deliberately said nothing. He’d assumed looking plain would keep unwanted attention away.

Yet somehow, she still attracted trouble.

Sophia swallowed. "What… are you trying to say?"

"We’re picking up Lily now," he said instead.

Sophia exhaled in frustration.

Arguing with Ethan Blackwood was pointless.

The rest of the ride passed in silence. When they arrived at the kindergarten, a few children still lingered, waiting for their parents.