Chapter 429

The elderly voice on the other end of the line erupted in fury. "Don't even mention that woman! The mere thought of her makes me want to strangle her with my bare hands!"

"Grandfather, what did she do this time?" Liam Sterling asked cautiously, his grip tightening on the phone.

"That wretched creature!" William Blackwood spat. "Six years haven't changed a thing. She's still the same conniving gold-digger, preying on our family's wealth. Just yesterday, she swindled our heirloom—those priceless yellow wax stones—right from under your grandmother's nose!"

Liam softened his tone, playing the mediator. "Perhaps... my cousin Ethan truly intends to marry her?"

"Your cousin?" William scoffed. "A man like him, stooping so low? Never! He despises us all—his own family. He's handed the Blackwood empire, yet he still resents us. And now, he's using that woman as a weapon against us. He wants her to torment us until we're dead, then discard her like trash."

Liam exhaled slowly. "But she's the mother of your great-granddaughter."

A derisive snort. "Half of Harborview's women could claim that title if they tried. She's nothing special."

Deciding it was futile to argue, Liam changed tactics. "Grandfather, you should rest. Don't let anger consume you. We still need to reconcile with Ethan."

Without waiting for a response, he ended the call.

Alone in his car, Liam sat in silence, his thoughts spiraling.

Sophia Montgomery's face flashed in his mind—calm, composed, unreadable. Six years had only honed her quiet strength. She was no longer the vulnerable girl he'd once known. Now, she was a storm wrapped in silk, impossible to sway once her mind was set.

The realization twisted something inside him.

Was it longing? Regret? The bitter ache of what could never be?

Whatever it was, it left him hollow.

Sophia had moved on, her heart closed to him. Yet, he remained ensnared by her memory, utterly conquered.

With a heavy sigh, he drove back to his hotel.

The moment he stepped inside, a sharp slap cracked across his face.

"You!" Liam staggered back, blinking in shock.

Charlotte Kensington stood before him, her eyes blazing. "Liam! I knew it! You couldn't resist crawling back to that pathetic excuse of a woman!"

Liam's jaw clenched. "You followed me?"

Charlotte's voice trembled with rage. "I had to see for myself. And here you are, chasing after that homewrecking b*tch!"

The insult ignited him. His hand shot out, striking her cheek with equal force. "Say that word again," he growled, "and I'll ruin you."

Charlotte gaped at him, tears welling. "You... hit me?"

Liam smirked coldly. "You started it."

"Liam!" she shrieked. "Don't forget—without my grandfather's backing, your family name is worthless in Harborview! You need me!"

His laugh was razor-sharp. "Your grandfather wanted you to marry Ethan. But you weren't good enough for him, were you? So he settled for me." He leaned in, voice dropping to a lethal whisper. "And don't forget—you're a Kensington by name only. Cross me again, and even your cousin Alexander won't save you."

With that, he slammed the door behind him.

There was no love between them. Theirs was a transaction, a merger of convenience. Charlotte, with her petty tantrums and shallow ambitions, could never compare to Sophia's quiet brilliance.

Sophia, who shone even in darkness.

Sophia, who he'd lost forever.

And Charlotte?

She was just a means to an end.