Chapter 235

"Using your grandfather to threaten me? Do you really think I'm scared, Sophia?"

"Hah!" Isabella laughed maniacally. "Sophia, my grandfather's influence stretches across the nation. Many of his former subordinates are stationed at the borders. If he gets angry, he could have you shipped off to the war zones."

"Do you know what happens to women like you there?"

"It's a lawless land—filled with arms dealers, mercenaries, and desperate men. They’ll strip you naked and tie you to a tree."

"Hundreds of men will line up to take their turn with you."

"You’ll be used until your body gives out."

Sophia shuddered involuntarily.

Seeing her reaction, Isabella smirked triumphantly.

But Sophia quickly steadied herself and sneered. "Fine. If your grandfather can take me away, then let him."

"Isabella, do you know what you look like right now?"

"A spoiled child throwing a tantrum because she can’t win. Pathetic."

"Oh, and by the way—your fiancé? Your man? Your future husband?"

"I had him first."

"Goodbye."

With that, Sophia turned and walked back inside. She had intended to find Lily, but with Isabella blocking her path, she had no choice but to retreat for now.

The moment she stepped inside, the landline rang.

An unfamiliar number.

Sophia hesitated, then answered. "Hello? Who is this?"

"Mom." Lily’s voice was barely a whisper.

"Lily! Sweetheart, where are you? Tell me where you are!" Sophia’s voice cracked with emotion.

"Shh, Mom, keep your voice down," Lily whispered. "Are you feeling better? That bad man said you were sick and needed to rest, so I didn’t call earlier. Can you walk now?"

Tears streamed down Sophia’s face as she wiped them away. "I’m fine, baby. Tell me where you are."

Lily’s voice remained hushed. "I’m sorry, Mom. I didn’t mean to go with him this morning. I wanted to protect you. I’m watching him at his big company. He’s so busy he won’t have time to come home."

"Run, Mom. I’ll keep him distracted."

Sophia’s heart shattered.

No.

She wouldn’t run.

Even if it killed her, she would stay and fight for her daughter.

"Lily, you’re at his company, right?" Sophia asked softly.

"Yes, Mom."

"Good girl. Keep him busy. Mommy’s going to run now."

The moment she hung up, Sophia bolted for the door. The servants didn’t stop her this time.

She raced through the elevator, out of the building, and onto the street—only to be grabbed by two men and shoved into a black car.

Sophia’s breath hitched as she recognized Isabella’s smug face.

"What do you want?" Sophia demanded.

Isabella smirked. "Scared? Guess what I’m going to do with you next."

She turned to the four burly bodyguards in the car. "Gentlemen, my grandfather keeps you on a tight leash. I bet you haven’t had much fun, have you?"

"How about I give you a little gift?"

The bodyguards remained silent.

They weren’t fools.

The woman in front of them had come straight from Ethan Blackwood’s penthouse.

Even if Ethan claimed he wanted her dead, that was his business.

No one else dared touch what belonged to him.

Isabella, however, was too blinded by arrogance to see it.

Sophia, after her initial panic, steadied herself.

She met Isabella’s gaze and smirked. "Go ahead. Do whatever you want."

"Ethan captured me to pay off a debt. He plans to use me to earn back every penny."

"If you let your guards ruin me, he won’t get his money."

"And when he comes for you, don’t say I didn’t warn you."

Isabella’s smirk faltered.

She knew Sophia was right.

But she had already bragged to her friends about how Ethan had captured Sophia to avenge her.

She couldn’t back down now.

"Don’t worry," Isabella sneered. "I won’t let them touch you. You’re too dirty for that."

"Instead, I’m taking you to meet my friends."

"After all, you are my long-lost sister, aren’t you?"

"It’s only right that I introduce you."

"And who knows? Maybe they’ll help you pay off your debt."

Sophia clenched her fists.

She knew what was coming.

Humiliation.

But she would endure it.

For Lily.