Chapter 115

Liam Sterling's expression was unusually stern today. Officially, he should have been working. A surveying instrument stood before him, its digital display reflecting in his sharp eyes as he analyzed the data with intense focus. Standing in the middle of the road, Liam seemed oblivious to Sophia Montgomery crashing into him.

The moment their bodies collided, his icy gaze locked onto her. His voice was flat, devoid of warmth. "What are you doing? Can't you see I'm working? Do you always barge into people like this? Learn to separate personal matters from professional ones. Next time I'm on duty, keep your distance."

There was no trace of humor in his tone, no playful teasing—just cold irritation.

He was fully absorbed in his work, and her intrusion clearly displeased him.

Sophia bit her lower lip. "I'm sorry."

With that, she lowered her head and skirted around Liam, heading toward the construction site. She had intended to tell him that her paycheck would arrive soon, and she could finally repay the three thousand dollars she owed him.

But seeing how engrossed he was—how visibly annoyed—she swallowed her words. Her small frame disappeared into the bustling site.

Only after Sophia was out of sight did Liam finally relax. He glanced at Noah Whitmore, who sat in the car nearby. "Noah, get out here."

Noah stepped out, smirking as he approached. "Mr. Sterling, I have to say—you play the role of a construction engineer disturbingly well. How do you even pull this off?"

Liam rubbed the stubble on his chin, his lips curling into a wicked grin. "Did you see her? That look on her face—just like when I first met her. Broken. Defeated. So pitifully cold. I love her like this."

Noah blinked. "What exactly are you trying to accomplish? She’s your cousin’s woman. Aren’t you afraid he’ll cut ties with you?"

Liam scoffed. "My aunt won’t last another two weeks. She’s barely conscious as it is. My cousin doesn’t need this little stray anymore to comfort her. It’s been days since Sophia was allowed near the hospital. Do you really think Ethan still cares?"

He smirked. "She was just a tool. And now that she’s served her purpose, she’s disposable."

Noah exhaled sharply. "You’re ruthless."

Liam’s grin widened. "It’s more fun this way. Watching her squirm—like taming a wild bird."

"You compared her to a bird?" Noah raised an eyebrow.

"Of course." Liam’s eyes gleamed with cruel amusement. "And breaking her will be far more entertaining than any woman I’ve had before."

Noah chuckled darkly. "You really know how to play games, Mr. Sterling."

Liam shrugged lazily. "What can I say? In Harborview City, there’s no woman I haven’t conquered. They’re all the same—boring, predictable. Even Charlotte Kensington, that so-called untouchable socialite? Please. She’s just another pretentious heiress."

Noah smirked. "So Sophia is your new challenge?"

Liam’s lips curled. "Exactly."

He spent the rest of the day lingering near the construction site, pretending to work until he spotted Sophia leaving, her small frame weighed down by exhaustion.

As she passed him, he deliberately ignored her, engrossed in a fake discussion with his subordinates. Sophia hesitated, her lips parting as if she wanted to speak—but in the end, she swallowed her words and headed for the bus stop.

Fate, it seemed, was on Liam’s side. The bus arrived immediately, and Sophia boarded without looking back.

Liam and Noah followed in their car, trailing the bus until it stopped at Grandview Medical Center.

As expected, Sophia went straight to the hospital.

That evening, Victoria Blackwood’s room was eerily quiet. It was impossible to tell if she was asleep or still comatose. Sophia lingered outside, peering through the window at the frail woman connected to countless tubes.

Ethan Blackwood sat at his mother’s bedside, his broad shoulders hunched in exhaustion. The sight of him—so powerful yet so vulnerable—made Sophia hesitate.

She couldn’t bring herself to remind him of their contract. Not now.

But she couldn’t leave either.

She stood there, silent and unseen, until a doctor entered and gently advised Ethan, "Mr. Blackwood, we need to move your mother to the sterile unit. Her fever spikes at night, and there’s nothing more you can do here. You should rest."

Ethan’s voice was rough. "Fine. Thank you."

With one last glance at his mother, he straightened his suit and turned to leave.

Sophia panicked.

She couldn’t let him see her.

She bolted down the hallway, heart pounding, not daring to look back—

Until she crashed into someone.

She whirled around—

And found herself face-to-face with a heavyset man in his sixties, his beady eyes narrowing in displeasure.

"I—I’m sorry, sir!" Sophia stammered.

The man’s grip tightened around her wrist. His voice was a sneer. "Sir? Is that how you address me, little girl?"

Sophia’s blood ran cold.

She tried to pull away. "Let me go!"

The man’s grin turned predatory. "Not a chance."