Chapter 467

She could never slip from his grasp.

He indulged her in every way—teaching her to drive with his own hands, whisking her away to obtain their marriage certificate, even proudly presenting her at Blackwood Manor to stake his claim. Yet when faced with his closest circle, those who shared bonds forged in life and death, she was nothing.

Sophia remained silent after returning home. She ate dinner without asking about Lily, knowing Ethan would handle their daughter’s nightly routine. Instead, she retreated to her bedroom, scrolling through the private parent group chat she had muted days ago.

Catching up on the messages, she realized how much she had missed. From the moment she joined, skepticism had shadowed her. When she failed to respond promptly, whispers grew bolder—comparisons drawn to the more active mothers, veiled jabs disguised as concern.

"If Mrs. Montgomery is too busy, maybe she shouldn’t occupy a spot in this group?"

The bluntness stemmed from recent events. Emily’s mother had proposed a gathering to discuss "maintaining the kindergarten’s elite standards"—a thinly veiled excuse to ostracize those deemed unworthy. The venue? A luxury hotel Sophia had never set foot in.

The mothers had flaunted details: 20,000-dollar bottles of wine, sterling silver cutlery, a cake tower costing thousands. A salon for twelve, with each attendee contributing 50,000.

Every mother had paid—except Sophia.

Now, she understood the disdain in Victoria Dawson’s eyes when she confronted her at the kindergarten gates.

Sophia sighed. She had to attend. The mothers’ motives might be shallow, but Lily needed this social foothold.

Fifty thousand.

The sum mocked her. Six years ago, she had begged Ethan for the same amount to repay a debt. Now, she’d have to ask again.

Her savings? Barely enough for groceries.

Steeling herself, she left the bedroom, only to find Lily alone in the playroom.

"Sweetheart, where’s Daddy?"

Lily blinked up at her. "Daddy said he’s making a very, very, very important call!"

Sophia’s lips pressed into a line.

An important call.

Should she interrupt?

No. If Ethan had secluded himself, it was deliberate. She’d wait.

Her guess was right. Ethan didn’t want her overhearing this conversation.

A decade ago, during his exile abroad, Cassandra Montgomery—then just eighteen—had pursued him relentlessly. He’d rebuffed her, repulsed by her arrogance and cruelty. To sever her obsession, he’d humiliated her publicly.

She’d retreated—until now.

Julian Montgomery’s voice crackled through the phone. "I swear, Ethan, I’ve never mentioned Cassandra to Sophia."

Ethan’s grip tightened on his phone. "Then why did she bring her up?"

"Maybe Lenny let it slip in Kyoto. I’ll muzzle him." Julian chuckled. "Since when does the ruthless Ethan Blackwood fear a woman’s shadow?"

"Go to hell." Ethan ended the call.

Descending the stairs, he found Sophia waiting, tension lining her posture.

"What’s wrong?" He already knew she’d been distracted since leaving work.

She swallowed. "The kindergarten’s parent group is hosting an event. They’re collecting funds."

That’s it?

Relief flickered through him. All this turmoil over money?