Chapter 125

"Stop! Please, Mr. Sterling, calm down! I was wrong, alright? I admit it!" Vincent Holloway scrambled up from the hospital bed in panic, but the sudden movement jolted his injury.

"Ah—!" He doubled over, clutching his groin in agony, his legs giving out beneath him.

Before he knew it, he was kneeling before Sophia Montgomery and Liam Sterling.

Liam smirked, his voice dripping with mockery. "No need for formalities."

Vincent: "..."

Helpless, he watched as Liam wrapped an arm around Sophia’s waist and strode out of the ward with effortless arrogance.

Fury burned through Vincent’s veins. He slammed his fist against the bed frame.

"Who the hell do they think they are?!"

His subordinates stood frozen, not daring to utter a word.

Vincent had clawed his way up from the underworld, amassing power and connections. In Harborview City, few dared to cross him.

Yet here he was—humiliated by Ethan Blackwood, the illegitimate heir of the Blackwood family, who had seized half his empire without breaking a sweat.

And Ethan’s reasoning?

"Vincent, I’m leaving you with just enough to keep making money for me. In five years, I expect five times the profit from what you still own. Then, I’ll collect."

Vincent had nearly coughed up blood in rage.

But he had no choice.

Ethan was ruthless, and Vincent had no choice but to swallow his pride.

Now, even Ethan’s damn cousin, Liam, was stepping on his head!

How could he let this slide?

Snatching his phone, Vincent dialed Benjamin Thornton. "Benjamin! That little vixen Sophia you handed to me—not only did she cripple me, but she also dragged Liam Sterling into this! You better fix this mess, or I swear—"

On the other end, Benjamin’s face paled.

That wretched girl was nothing but trouble!

"Vincent, don’t worry. I’ll handle it," Benjamin replied, forcing calm into his voice.

The moment the call ended, Elizabeth Thornton pounced. "What happened? Did Vincent fail?"

Benjamin’s expression darkened. "That little witch injured him."

Elizabeth: "..."

Isabella Thornton, their daughter, wrung her hands. "What now? Vincent will blame us for this! If he loses his temper—"

"Go to Ethan," Benjamin cut in.

Isabella froze.

Even with her pregnancy as leverage, she didn’t dare face Ethan now.

After Victoria Blackwood’s funeral, the entire city’s elite had paid respects—except the Thorntons.

Benjamin had called ahead, only to be coldly dismissed.

The humiliation still burned.

Now, sending Isabella again?

But Benjamin whispered something in her ear, and her fear melted into sly satisfaction.

That afternoon, dressed in solemn black, Isabella arrived at the Blackwood estate.

Ethan’s icy gaze locked onto her. "Why are you here?"

Isabella bit her lip, feigning distress. "I had to warn you. You’re in danger."

Ethan’s expression darkened further.

Isabella pressed on. "I know it’s inappropriate to disturb you during mourning, but Vincent Holloway—" She hesitated deliberately.

At Vincent’s name, Ethan’s eyes sharpened.

That man again.

First, he’d seen Vincent harassing Sophia outside the hospital. Now this.

"Speak," Ethan commanded, his voice like steel.

"Can I mention Sophia?" Isabella asked carefully.

Ethan gave a curt nod.

Isabella’s heart leaped.

Perfect.

With Victoria gone, Ethan no longer needed Sophia. Now was the time to destroy her.

"Before, you wouldn’t let me say it, but Sophia’s past is... messy," Isabella began, lowering her voice. "In college, she refused to listen to my father, claiming he wasn’t her real father. She blew through her allowance in days and started seeing older men for money."

She paused, gauging Ethan’s reaction.

"Vincent is the father of her child. But now that he’s lost his fortune, she stabbed him and ran. He’s furious—he even threatened to come after you."

Ethan’s jaw tightened.

Isabella pressed her advantage. "Vincent made his fortune through... unsavory means. Even if you’re more powerful, he could still strike from the shadows. You need to be careful."

Ethan studied her—her carefully applied makeup, the expensive sweater beneath her coat.

Inappropriate for mourning.

"Is that all?" he asked coldly.

Isabella nodded eagerly. "I just... I was worried about you."

She hoped he’d let her stay, introduce her to the mourners as his future wife.

Instead, Ethan’s next words shattered her hopes.

"Leave."

Isabella stiffened.

"You’re pregnant," he added, his tone devoid of warmth. "Your condition is unstable. You shouldn’t be here."

The dismissal was absolute.

Isabella’s fists clenched.

Ethan had no feelings for her.

None at all.