Chapter 423

Elizabeth Dawson stood frozen for a moment before snapping, "Don't push your luck! Are you trying to force me to quit? I already agreed to proofread your drafts—what more do you want?"

Sophia Montgomery slid the neatly organized files across the desk. "Even though I'm the lead designer now, your work is still your own. You have your own creative space and vision. If you're willing, I can still review your drafts—just like before. Finish your designs, and if you trust me, leave them with me for final checks."

Elizabeth hesitated. "You're serious?"

"Get back to work. I don’t tolerate slackers." Sophia didn’t glance up, already focused on her sketches.

A reluctant murmur slipped out. "Thanks…"

Sophia didn’t acknowledge it.

She heard the insincerity loud and clear—and she wasn’t interested in fake gratitude.

Peaceful coexistence was enough. She didn’t need Elizabeth as a friend. As long as they both grew professionally, that was sufficient. After all, Sophia still had plenty to learn from her.

The day flew by in a blur of deadlines, yet Alexander Kensington was nowhere to be seen. Sophia knew he’d been in Kingsbury, tending to his ailing grandfather.

But his absence didn’t faze her. She was determined to prove herself through her work alone.

As evening fell, her phone buzzed—a notification from Lily’s class group chat. She’d been approved to join.

The group was small, barely a dozen members.

Curious, she scrolled through their profiles. One glance was enough to confirm it—these were the elite. Designer handbags worth thousands, luxury vacations, private schools.

Sophia exhaled.

This was her first time in such a circle.

Unsure what to say, she settled for a polite: "Hello everyone, I’m Lily’s mother."

Only Emily’s mother, Victoria Thompson, responded. "Welcome, Lily’s mom! We’ll tag you for future events."

Silence followed.

Sophia didn’t mind. She had zero interest in socializing with them anyway.

Given her… complicated relationship with Ethan Blackwood—not quite married, not quite contractual, not even clearly debtor and creditor—she had no idea how to introduce herself.

Did she even have a husband?

Technically, yes. The most powerful man in Harborview City.

The irony almost made her laugh aloud as she slung her bag over her shoulder and headed out.

"What’s so amusing?" A deep voice cut through her thoughts.

Sophia looked up—and froze.

Liam Sterling stood before her, his expression unreadable.

Her smile vanished. "Liam. What are you doing here?"

His gaze darkened at her cold tone. "This isn’t about Olivia."

Sophia stiffened. "Then what is it about?"

He reached for her arm. She jerked back.

Nearby, two female employees whispered loudly enough to carry:

"Isn’t that Liam Sterling? The Sterling Holdings heir?"

"Olivia Kensington’s cousin, right?"

"God, he’s really involved with Sophia? No wonder Olivia kept calling her a homewrecker—"

Sophia’s nails dug into her palms. "Let me pass."

Liam didn’t budge.

She couldn’t cause a scene here. Forcing calm, she said, "Mr. Sterling. Your fiancée’s cousin has publicly branded me the ‘other woman’ who ruined your relationship. Yet I’ve never sought you out. Not once." Her voice dropped to a razor’s edge. "I fought hard for this job. Don’t destroy it. Leave."

Still, he blocked her path.

"I’ve been in Kingsbury," he said urgently. "The Thornton patriarch is ill. Since William Thornton is practically family, I’ve been helping care for him. But yesterday, my parents told me—you went to Blackwood Manor."

Sophia scoffed. "And?"

His next words sent ice down her spine.

"It has nothing to do with me—but everything to do with you."

She frowned. "Explain."

Liam stepped closer, voice low. "The Blackwoods aren’t just powerful, Sophia. They’re dangerous. My grandfather had ten cousins. Multiple uncles. Now? Only one survives."

A chill crept over her. "Why tell me this?"

"Because that family heirloom Grace Blackwood gave you?" His jaw tightened. "It’s not a gift. It’s a target. My mother called last night—said Ethan married you, and his grandmother handed you their most prized possession. I drove back from Kingsbury just to warn you."

His fingers brushed her wrist. "Every step you take in that house could be your last."

Sophia’s breath hitched.

He wasn’t wrong.

She’d felt it yesterday—the weight of that jade pendant, the venom in Eleanor Blackwood’s glare.

Liam’s warning only confirmed her fears.

In a mansion like Blackwood Manor?

Anything could happen.