Chapter 295

Ethan swiftly checked Lily's temperature again before carefully bringing the spoon to her lips.

Lily beamed brighter than ever.

"Juice!" she demanded cheerfully.

Sophia immediately grabbed the freshly squeezed orange juice nearby and let Lily take a sip.

"Corn!" Lily chirped, gazing sweetly at Ethan.

Without hesitation, Ethan speared a small piece of corn and fed it to her.

Even during his exile, when he had been stripped of power, Ethan had never served anyone like this. Today marked the first time he obeyed so willingly—attending to a five-year-old girl with such devotion.

Watching Lily eat so happily, Ethan was utterly enchanted.

Sophia frowned playfully at Lily, feigning disapproval. "Lily Montgomery! Manners! Even back in Willowbrook County, I never let you eat like this. Look at you—such a messy little dumpling!"

"Daddy doesn’t think I’m messy, right?" Lily retorted triumphantly, munching on her corn.

She had been sulking at Ethan earlier, but now, lost in the joy of eating, she even forgot to call him "mean daddy."

Sophia shot Ethan a sidelong glance. "Don’t encourage her! A little girl shouldn’t eat like she’s starved for eight lifetimes."

"My daughter eats however she wants," Ethan declared, his tone brooking no argument. He handed Lily another piece of corn.

Lily nodded vigorously. "Yes!"

His daughter?

Sophia froze, her gaze snapping to Ethan’s. He met her eyes steadily.

"I… I forgot," Sophia murmured, suddenly remembering—this wasn’t Willowbrook. Ethan wasn’t Noah.

Back in the county, Noah had always spoiled Lily, defending her whenever Sophia scolded her. Sophia would chide him, "You’re her uncle! You’ll ruin her!"

Seeing Lily’s happiness just now had transported her back to those peaceful days.

Lily seemed to remember too. She pouted and glared at Ethan. "Hmph!"

Ethan: "…"

The warm family moment shattered instantly.

But Lily was already full. She swung her legs off the chair, stuck her tongue out at Ethan, and dashed to the playroom.

Left alone at the table, the air between Sophia and Ethan turned icy.

"So…" Sophia set down her chopsticks and met his gaze. "There’s something I need to discuss."

Ethan arched a brow. "What is it?"

She bit her lip. "I misjudged you. I thought you’d reject Lily. But you accept her, don’t you? That’s why you tolerate me?"

Ethan smirked. "Clever girl. Get to the point."

Sophia inhaled. "I want to find a job tomorrow."

"No." His refusal was instant.

She had expected this. "Just a thought," she muttered, forcing a smile.

Architectural design was her passion—her lifeline. She wasn’t just talking. But if he refused, arguing was pointless.

Without another glance, Ethan stood and headed to the playroom. Sophia followed, lingering at the doorway.

Lily was building a block house.

"Do you know the password?" she challenged Ethan.

He feigned ignorance. "No. Tell me?"

Lily preened. "Three, five, one, two, seven, eight."

Ethan repeated it perfectly.

"Correct! Enter!" Lily declared.

The mighty Ethan Blackwood crouched and crawled inside—only for the flimsy structure to collapse under his frame.

"Mean Daddy!" Lily wailed, scrambling free to pinch his nose. "You wrecked my house!"

"Sorry," Ethan chuckled, sitting amid the ruins. "I’ll rebuild it. Even better than before."

True to his word, he began reconstructing.

"Pass me the red block," he ordered.

"Here!" Lily obeyed.

"Now the pink one."

"Here, Daddy!"

"Window next."

"Wrong!" Lily scolded. "Build the wall first, or it’ll fall again!"

Ethan laughed. "Right, right. Daddy’s not as smart as you."

Lily giggled. "Silly Daddy!"

She sprawled beside him, watching intently. Ten minutes later, a sturdier, grander block house stood before them.

Lily squealed and clambered in, Ethan steadying the structure.

From the doorway, Sophia sighed.

Blood truly was thicker than water.

Who would believe this doting father was the same ruthless tyrant who commanded boardrooms?

Though Ethan claimed he kept her around to repay a debt, Sophia wondered—was it really for Lily?

Because of their daughter, he’d not only stopped hunting her but given her shelter.

Wasn’t that the truth?