Chapter 75

Sophia suddenly lifted her gaze to meet Ethan's piercing eyes, her cheeks flushing crimson.

The man finished the last bite of his croissant, wiped his hands, and strode out without sparing her another glance.

Sophia: "..."

Nathan, who had been observing silently, stepped closer and murmured, "Miss Montgomery, you look rather charming when you're flustered."

With that cryptic remark, he followed his employer out of the café.

Sophia mechanically swallowed a bite of her breakfast before gathering her things. Stepping outside, she scanned the street but saw no sign of Ethan's sleek black car.

She stood there, a solitary figure against the bustling cityscape, her expression unreadable.

Little did she know, Ethan watched her from the tinted windows of his parked vehicle.

She looked fragile yet defiant—like a lone leaf clinging to a branch in a storm. There was something hauntingly vulnerable about her posture.

"Find out whose child she's carrying," Ethan commanded abruptly.

Nathan hesitated. "Without her cooperation, it might be difficult—"

"The Sullivans," Ethan cut in. "She lived with them for eight years. They know her history. Start there."

"Understood, Mr. Blackwood. And... Miss Isabella?" Nathan ventured cautiously.

Ethan's jaw tightened. He despised Isabella, yet owed her his life—a debt that bound him to their engagement.

Without answering, he ordered, "Drive."

Nathan exhaled in relief.

As the car pulled away, he glanced at Sophia's shrinking figure in the rearview mirror. She was still standing there, lost in thought.

Too naive, Nathan mused. Ethan changes tactics, and she's already unraveling. Still just a girl.

Sophia lingered for ten full minutes before finally boarding the bus to work.

At the office, she approached her supervisor. "Do you have any design drafts for me today?"

The woman beamed and clasped Sophia's hands. "Sophia, darling!"

She ushered Sophia to the center of the design studio and clapped for attention.

"Listen up! From now on, Sophia is your equal. No more fetching coffee or running errands for her. In fact—" She smirked. "—you'll take turns bringing her coffee. And if I hear one complaint while I'm away on my two-week trip, heads will roll."

Murmurs of disbelief rippled through the room.

Sophia stiffened. This wasn't a promotion—it was a target on her back.

Before she could protest, the supervisor winked and marched out.

Sophia exhaled slowly. She'd endure the whispers. Survive the glares.

All that mattered was keeping her baby safe.

"Sophia!" Linda, a senior designer, barked.

Sophia turned, face carefully blank. "Yes?"

Linda smirked. "Take these construction samples to the engineer for approval. No company car—you'll haul them on the bus."

She gestured to a heap of materials: tile fragments, sealant buckets, catalogs. Enough to fill a bulky duffel.

Sophia nodded. "Of course."

As she struggled to drag the overloaded bag toward the elevator, snickers followed.

"Who does she think she is?"

"Probably spreading her legs for some rich boy again."

"Pathetic."

Sophia ignored them.

At the bus stop, she strained to lift the bag as the bus doors hissed open.

"Hurry up!" the driver snapped.

Her grip slipped—

She braced for impact, heart lurching. The baby—

But strong arms caught her.

She looked up into Liam Sterling's trademark smirk, equal parts roguish and amused.

"Mr. Sterling—" She scrambled to right herself.

He chuckled. "Still holding a grudge, Sophia?"

Her brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"