Chapter 459

Sophia Montgomery had never been fond of social gatherings. If given the choice, she would have declined without hesitation. But this was a school event for Lily, and as a mother, she had no choice but to comply.

"What's wrong, Lily's mother? Are you avoiding us? You've been ignoring the group chat since yesterday!" Emily Thompson's mother demanded, her tone sharp and accusatory.

"Mrs. Thompson, let's discuss this in the group. I—I really need to get to work." Hearing Nathan Carter's car horn, Sophia turned and hurried away. She had no time for this conversation.

Behind her, Emily's mother scoffed under her breath. "Look at her, dressed like some lowly office clerk. Probably works some menial job. That fancy car? Probably rented. No wonder she's been hiding from us!"

Sophia didn’t hear the venomous words. Sliding into the car, she urged, "Nathan, please hurry. I'm running late."

"Right away, Mrs. Blackwood," Nathan replied smoothly, though internally, he wondered why she had wasted time talking to that woman when Ethan Blackwood’s schedule was even tighter.

The drive was swift. Within twenty minutes, they arrived at Montgomery Designs.

Sophia checked her watch—she wasn’t late. Relief washed over her, and she flashed Ethan a quick smile. "Bye!" Then she hurried toward the elevator, her steps slightly uneven.

Nathan noticed immediately. "Sir, is Mrs. Blackwood limping?"

Ethan’s icy glare silenced him. "If you value your job, keep your mouth shut."

Nathan swallowed hard. "Understood, sir."

Inside the office, Sophia rushed to her desk in the design department. As she set down her bag, Daniel Carter approached with two coffees in hand. "Sophia, how’s your brother doing?"

"Much better, thank you," she replied, accepting the cup.

Before she could take a sip, Oliver Bennett handed her a sandwich. "You looked like you skipped breakfast. Here, eat something."

Sophia blinked in surprise. "Thank you."

The female colleagues nearby exchanged sour glances but remained silent.

The workday passed smoothly. As for the parent group chat, Sophia had already dealt with Emily’s mother. She replied simply: Let me know the party details when they’re finalized. Then she muted the notifications.

For two days, the group remained quiet. Work was peaceful—no whispers behind her back, no snide remarks.

Perfect.

She threw herself into her projects, determined to excel.

But the peace shattered on the third day.

Sophia was deep in her designs when a shadow fell over her desk. She looked up to see a woman dressed in luxury, her expression dripping with condescension.

"Excuse me?" Sophia didn’t recognize her.

The woman smirked. "Sophia Montgomery, right? I’ve heard so much about you."

Sophia’s expression remained neutral. She didn’t dignify the woman with a response, returning to her work.

The woman laughed mockingly. "Do you know who I am?"

Sophia wrinkled her nose. "Step back. Your perfume is overwhelming."

"Oh, how cold." The woman’s tone was playful, as if Sophia were an amusing pet. "You must be used to this kind of confrontation. How… predictable."

The male colleagues exchanged nervous glances.

Daniel discreetly texted Oliver: Who the hell is this woman? She’s trouble.

Oliver replied: No idea, but she’s got that rich-bitch aura. Worse than Olivia Kensington.

Daniel: If things go south, we bail. Find a new firm.

Oliver: Agreed.

Meanwhile, the female colleagues watched eagerly, relishing the drama.

Sophia remained unfazed. She picked up the office phone. "Front desk? There’s an unpleasant woman at my desk. Please remove her."

The receptionist hesitated. "Designer Montgomery… I—I can’t."

Sophia frowned. "Why not?"

The woman smirked, crossing her arms.

Before Sophia could press further, the HR manager and design director rushed over, bowing obsequiously.

"Second Lady Jun! What an unexpected honor!" the design director gushed. "Had we known you were visiting, we would have arranged a proper welcome!"

Then, to Sophia: "This is Ms. Cassandra Montgomery, one of our major shareholders. She’s Mr. Julian Montgomery’s aunt."

Cassandra’s smirk widened. "I heard this one was feisty. A real little bitch, isn’t she?"

Sophia’s grip tightened on her pen.

Cassandra Montgomery.

Julian’s aunt.

From the influential Montgomery family of Kingsbury.

And undoubtedly connected to Ethan’s close friend, Julian.

Sophia was certain she’d never met her before.

But one thing was clear—this woman had come for blood.