Chapter 259

The morning spread was light yet lavish, each dish crafted to perfection.

Sophia found her appetite had grown since yesterday, savoring every bite of the exquisite breakfast.

"Mom, the food here is way better than ours," Lily remarked, slipping back into calling Alexander by his name rather than "the grumpy villain."

Alexander didn’t even flinch.

He had grown accustomed to Lily’s nicknames. When she called him "grumpy villain," his expression remained unreadable as he sipped his porridge.

Meals were a silent affair for him. He finished quickly, then fixed Lily with a stern gaze. "Lily, are you done?"

Lily nodded hastily. "Y-yes! I’m finished!"

"Good." His sharp eyes shifted to Sophia. "You?"

Sophia swallowed. "Yes."

After a pause, she hesitated. "Are you… taking me out? And… does Lily have to come?"

Alexander didn’t answer.

He simply rose, changed into his suit, and grabbed his briefcase.

Sophia didn’t dare press further. She took Lily’s hand and followed him downstairs.

Nathan was already waiting by the car. The moment he spotted Alexander, he straightened. "Mr. Blackwood, I’ve shortlisted a few elite kindergartens. Though I’m not sure if the little princess will like them."

"Kindergartens?" Lily perked up instantly.

"Company meeting first," Alexander cut in coldly.

An emergency meeting had been scheduled—one concerning the hospitalized William Blackwood. Several senior executives, once loyal to the old chairman, still clung to their positions, refusing to retire.

Alexander intended to dismantle their influence in one swift strike.

By noon, it was done.

The veterans who had once fought alongside his grandfather were now honorably retired, their pensions generous enough to silence any complaints.

Alexander strode out of the conference room and into his office, where Sophia and Lily sat quietly on the sofa.

"Let’s go," he ordered.

Sophia bit her lip. "Does Lily… really have to come? She’s too young to see… certain things. Can’t she stay here? Your company is safe—"

Lily immediately clung to her mother’s leg. "No! I’m going with you! I won’t stay!"

Alexander exhaled sharply.

Sometimes, he wondered if this woman’s brain was filled with glue.

Six years had passed since she’d had a child, yet her instincts were still this slow?

Pathetic.

Without another word, he scooped Lily into his arms and marched out. Sophia scrambled after them, gripping Lily’s hand tightly.

To the employees of Blackwood Enterprises, they looked like the perfect family.

To Sophia, it was a bitter farce.

By the car, Nathan handed Alexander a folder. "Three top-tier kindergartens in Harborview City: Nancheng International, Lantian Baiyun, and Little Red Star."

Sophia froze. "You’re… enrolling Lily?"

"Yes." His voice was icy. "She’s a hostage, not a pet. I can’t have her underfoot all day. Do you think I have nothing better to do than babysit?"

Sophia’s throat tightened.

"Tuition will be added to your debt. The day you repay it is the day you both walk free." His tone left no room for argument.

Nathan barely suppressed a laugh.

Only he knew the lengths Alexander had gone to find Sophia—six years of relentless searching, sleepless nights, cutting ties with Isabella, even purging his own circle.

And now?

All Alexander could muster was cold words.

As Sophia stood frozen, Nathan leaned in. "Mrs. Blackwood, don’t even think about running. If you do—"

"I won’t." Sophia’s voice was quiet but firm. "I’ve accepted my fate. The fact that he’s letting Lily go to school… I’m grateful. I know my place."

Nathan blinked.

Your place?

You’re his wife!

But before he could correct her, Alexander’s voice sliced through the air.

"What is your place, exactly? Enlighten me."

Sophia smiled faintly. "A plaything for you and your friends."

After the torment of the past few days, she had resigned herself to it.

Alexander laughed—a cold, hollow sound. "Good. Get in the car."

The ride was silent.

Only Nathan and Lily exchanged words.

"Little princess," Nathan called.

Lily sighed. "Why do you keep calling me that?"

Nathan grinned. "Don’t you like it?"

Lily shrugged. "It’s okay. But it won’t last. Before, only Mom called me that on my birthday. At school, my classmates called me ‘the bastard.’"

Nathan stiffened.

Alexander’s grip on the wheel tightened.

Sophia stared at her lap.

Lily continued, voice small. "They said I didn’t have a dad. That I wasn’t a real princess. If they hear you call me that in kindergarten… they’ll laugh at me again."

She looked up at Alexander. "And if I hit them, the teacher will call Mom. And then…"

Her tiny voice wavered. "The bad guy will make Mom pay more money."