Chapter 207

The men who stepped out of the black SUVs were impeccably dressed, their presence radiating authority.

Yet, standing behind Ethan Blackwood, they trembled like leaves in a storm.

Noah Whitmore scanned the crowd—some faces were familiar, others complete strangers.

Every influential figure in Willowbrook County had gathered outside his humble home.

All for Ethan Blackwood.

The sheer power the man commanded was staggering.

Ethan regarded them with icy detachment, like a king surveying his subjects. His voice was sharp, cutting through the tension.

"I'm here on personal business. I have no time for guests."

The crowd stiffened.

Nathan Carter stepped forward, his tone brooking no argument. "You have five minutes to leave."

One brave soul dared to ask, "When might we have the honor of hosting Mr. Blackwood for dinner?"

Nathan didn’t blink. "We'll see tomorrow."

"Of course, of course! We won't disturb you further. We await your summons."

They scattered like frightened birds.

Everyone wanted to curry favor with the infamous Ethan Blackwood of Harborview City. But they knew better than to overstep.

Once the outsiders were gone, only Sophia Montgomery, Ethan, Noah, and Victoria Sullivan remained in the yard.

Little Lily clung to her mother’s legs, too terrified to speak.

The usually mischievous girl was utterly cowed in the presence of this imposing stranger.

Ethan’s gaze was glacial as it settled on Sophia. "You expect me to discuss compensation standing in your yard?"

Sophia glanced around, not wanting to draw attention from the neighbors. Reluctantly, she opened the gate and let him in.

The moment Ethan stepped into the flower-filled courtyard, a strange sense of familiarity washed over him.

It felt like stepping into a dream.

He followed Sophia inside.

The living room was spacious but sparsely furnished.

No luxury items, yet it exuded warmth—lived-in, cozy.

Immaculate, inviting.

Ethan sat on the sofa like a sovereign, his piercing eyes sweeping over Sophia, Noah, and Victoria.

"Mr. Blackwood," Noah began carefully, "even back in Harborview, the Whitmores were no match for the Blackwoods. I have no leverage here. If you seek vengeance, take it out on me."

He swallowed hard.

"I was the one who saved Sophia and took her away. The one you want to punish is me. It’s been six years. She never brought Lily to trouble you, and she never will."

His voice was steady.

"I swear, they won’t interfere with your life again."

Ethan flicked a glance at Nathan.

Without hesitation, Nathan seized Noah and dragged him out.

"Brother!" Sophia cried, then whirled on Ethan, fury blazing in her eyes. "Where are you taking him?"

Ethan remained unmoved. "I removed him because I don’t want to stain his innocence. He’s already crippled himself for you. Must he die for you too?"

Sophia’s breath hitched.

She could only watch as Noah was hauled away.

Now, only Sophia and Victoria remained in the vast living room.

Lily, still trembling, glared at Ethan with wide, frightened eyes. She planted herself protectively in front of her mother.

"It was Mason Dawson who hit me! If you want to hit someone, hit me! Don’t hurt my mom!"

Ethan’s expression softened imperceptibly.

"Do you know what you should call me?"

Lily jutted out her chin defiantly. "Of course I do!"

Sophia blinked in surprise.

Even Nathan, standing guard at the door, raised his brows.

Did this little girl—meeting her father for the first time—already know what to call him?

"I’d call you a big, stinky villain! Give my uncle back! Where did you take him? I’ll fight you!"

With that, Lily launched herself at Ethan, kicking, punching, biting—anything to hurt him.

For a five-year-old, she was shockingly strong.

Her tiny fists pummeled his legs, her feet stomping on his polished leather shoes—ruined in minutes.

Sophia watched with tears of despair.

Lily had inherited Ethan’s fierceness—unyielding, brave, refusing to back down.

Even terrified, she stood her ground to protect her mother.

Ethan had already decided their fate. With Lily’s outburst, their chances of survival plummeted to zero.

Perhaps it was for the best.

At least she wouldn’t be alone in this world anymore.

Resigned, Sophia made no move to stop Lily.

Ethan lifted the girl effortlessly, but she only fought harder, her tiny limbs flailing wildly.

Thwack!

Nathan barely suppressed a wince.

In all his years serving Ethan, no one had dared raise a hand against him.

Yet this little girl had just punched him square in the eye.

Truly, like father, like daughter.

"You—you stinky villain! Let me go! Or I’ll—I’ll bite you!" Lily shrieked, her voice trembling with rage.

At first, she’d expected him to hurl her aside. But even after ruining his shoes, he hadn’t retaliated.

So she swung again—this time, her tiny fist connected with his eye.

Oof!

Nathan shut his eyes reflexively.

When he opened them again, Ethan was rubbing his eye, while Lily scrambled back to Sophia, sobbing as if she were the wronged one.

A dark bruise was already forming under Ethan’s eye.

Nathan barely stifled a laugh.

What a fitting welcome from his daughter.

Ethan straightened, his gaze shifting between Sophia and Lily.

Sophia lifted her chin defiantly. "Do what you want. Kill us if you must."

Then, turning to Nathan, her voice broke. "Assistant Carter… could you… at least let us be buried together?"

Her plea hung heavy in the air.