Chapter 303

Sophia Montgomery stood frozen in the elevator lobby, her fingers clenched around the strap of her worn-out bag. The weight of Harborview City pressed down on her shoulders—a city that had given her nothing but scorn since she arrived.

Charlotte Kensington’s shrill voice cut through the air like a blade.

"Liam! Slap her! Hit her until she can’t show her face to Ethan Blackwood again! Or are you too much of a coward to defend your own fiancée?"

The elevator doors slid shut, ascending without her. Sophia didn’t react. She simply waited, her expression blank.

If Liam Sterling decided to strike her, so be it.

But instead—

SMACK!

Charlotte gasped, clutching her cheek. "You—you hit me?"

Sophia blinked. That was unexpected.

Liam’s voice was icy. "Get out of here, Charlotte. Go home before you embarrass yourself further."

Sophia studied Charlotte’s face—now red on both sides from the earlier slap and Liam’s retaliation. She barely remembered her from six years ago, but the venom in her eyes was unmistakable.

Tears spilled down Charlotte’s cheeks. "You think just because the Thorntons have their real granddaughter now, I’m worthless? That you can step on me too?" She pointed a trembling finger at Sophia. "Both of you—just wait!"

With that, she fled, her heels clicking furiously against the marble floor.

Liam exhaled, rubbing his temple before turning to Sophia with an apologetic smile. "I’m sorry about that. She’s… difficult."

Sophia shrugged. "It’s fine."

The elevator chimed again. She moved to step inside, but Liam caught her wrist.

"Sophia," he said urgently, his grip tightening. "If you ever need anything—anything—just say the word. If you told me to marry you right now, I would. I’d take you far from here. Your daughter, Lily—I’d treat her as my own. I swear it."

Sophia almost laughed. "If you’re so eager to marry me, why are you engaged to Charlotte?"

His expression darkened. "I didn’t know you’d come back. Sterling Holdings was collapsing. The engagement was to save my family." He swallowed. "I had no choice."

Sophia tilted her head. "You’ve grown up, Liam. How noble."

His eyes lit up. "Does that mean you forgive me?"

She yanked her hand free and took a step back. "You still don’t understand. You have a safety net—your family, your wealth, your connections. I have nothing. Every day in Harborview is a battle. Charlotte hates me. Isabella Thornton wants me gone. I’m walking on a knife’s edge."

She met his gaze, her voice steady. "If you’re truly grateful I saved your life, then stay away from me. That’s all I ask."

Liam flinched.

Sophia turned toward the elevator, but he jammed his hand against the door before it could close. "Wait!"

She sighed. "What now?"

"I meant what I said," he whispered. "If you ever need Noah Whitmore found, I’ll do it. I’ll protect him with my life."

Sophia hesitated. Then, softly: "Thank you."

The doors slid shut.

Alone at last, she pressed the button for the internet café. Resumes wouldn’t submit themselves.

But as the elevator ascended, her mind wandered—not to Liam, not to Charlotte, but to the past.

To the Lin family.

If she survived this city, she would make them pay.