Chapter 211

Sophia was stunned.

At that moment, it finally dawned on her—Ethan intended to take Lily away, and she had no choice but to follow him back to Harborview City.

"Are you planning to torture me slowly?" Sophia asked, her voice trembling slightly.

The man gave her a meaningful look. "What do you think?"

Sophia took a step back, her lips curling into a bitter smile.

"Why do you even need to ask? Torturing me is nothing new. After all, there aren’t many men in Harborview City bold enough to provoke you, but I ruined your wedding. And worse—a woman like me, fresh out of prison, with a questionable past, carrying your child—must be a stain on your reputation."

She let out a hollow laugh. "How could you possibly let me off easy?"

Ethan smirked. "You’re smarter than you look. Now, hand over my daughter."

Sophia blinked. "What?"

"From this moment on, your daughter is my hostage. Give her to me." His tone was cold, but his gaze softened as it landed on Lily.

He reached out, and the little girl—surprisingly heavy for her size—was lifted into his arms.

She squirmed, her tiny feet kicking against his custom-made leather shoes, worth a small fortune.

Ethan exhaled sharply.

Until now, he hadn’t realized just how dark the circles under his eyes were—all because of this little troublemaker calling him a "half-blind bear."

His own daughter.

If anyone else had dared to hit him or insult him like that, they would’ve been dealt with long ago.

Sophia hesitated. "She’ll be scared."

Just then, Lily piped up. "Mommy, give me to this stinky villain. I’m not afraid."

Sophia and Ethan: "…"

Before Sophia could react, Ethan had already snatched Lily from her arms.

"Let’s go," he commanded.

"Now?" Sophia asked, bewildered.

Ethan turned, his expression mocking. "Did you think I’d let you stay here for a few more days so you could plan another escape?"

Sophia swallowed. "I need to sell my house."

"That’s not your concern anymore."

Sophia fell silent.

She watched as Ethan carried Lily out of the only home she’d known for the past five years. Without a second glance, she followed him into the car, leaving everything behind.

Nathan, Ethan’s driver, greeted her politely. "Mrs. Blackwood—"

Sophia nearly laughed at the absurdity of the title.

But as the car pulled away, exhaustion overtook her. The past two days had drained her completely—worrying about Lucas Grayson’s fate, wondering where Noah Whitmore had disappeared to.

Yet, she realized there was nothing she could do.

So she closed her eyes and let sleep take her.

At some point, she stirred, sensing movement. Her eyes flew open to find Ethan draping his expensive suit jacket over her.

She jerked upright. "What are you doing?"

His voice was ice. "Getting sick is your problem. But until you repay what you owe me, you’d better stay healthy."

Sophia clenched her jaw.

Turning, she saw Lily now awake, sitting between them. To an outsider, they might’ve looked like a perfect little family.

Lily’s sharp eyes darted between them, as if scheming something.

Ethan leaned back, closing his eyes again.

Sophia exhaled, reaching for Lily—only to freeze when the little girl suddenly climbed onto Ethan’s lap.

He didn’t react.

Lily grinned triumphantly. Then, without warning, she balled her tiny fist and punched Ethan’s other eye.

Thump.

Nathan, watching from the rearview mirror, choked back a laugh.

Sophia’s blood ran cold.

Ethan sat up abruptly, one arm securing Lily so she wouldn’t fall, the other covering his now-blackened eye.

Lily crowed, "Ha! Stinky villain! Didn’t expect that, did you? Now you’re blind in both eyes! See how you bully Mommy now!"

Nathan coughed. "Uh, little princess? Dark circles don’t mean he’s blind. He can still see."

"Drive," Ethan growled.

"Yes, sir!" Nathan quickly focused on the road.

Sophia, meanwhile, had snatched Lily back, stammering, "I—I’ll pay for the damages! Whatever the cost, I’ll cover it!"

Ethan leveled her with a deadpan stare—both eyes now matching shades of purple.

"Good."

Then he closed his eyes again.

Sophia and Lily exchanged bewildered looks.

After a moment, Sophia whispered, "Lily, sweetheart, promise me you won’t hit him again, okay?"

Lily nodded solemnly. "I promise, Mommy. I won’t hit the bad guy anymore."

The rest of the journey passed in silence.

By evening, they had landed in Harborview City.

Sophia’s chest tightened as they stepped onto familiar ground.

Eight years of her life had been spent here. Two more in prison. And now, she was back—dragged into Ethan’s world once more.

As they exited the airport, another car waited.

Nathan drove them straight to Grandview Medical Center.

Sophia frowned. "Why are we at the hospital?"

Ethan didn’t answer.

Nathan murmured, "Mrs. Blackwood, the old master has taken ill."

Sophia bit her lip. She had no desire to see William Blackwood again.

But Ethan was already striding inside, Lily in his arms.

With no choice, Sophia followed.

And the first person she saw upon entering was Isabella Thornton.