Chapter 365

Sophia Montgomery stood silent, her expression unreadable.

The design director snapped, "Elizabeth! As an employee of this company, you can't make baseless accusations without evidence! Sophia, explain what really happened to Olivia's injury!"

Was it because the director favored her?

But an employee injuring someone during work hours was serious. Especially when that employee was a newcomer. The director considered whether she could use this opportunity to dismiss Sophia today.

Too many complications.

She studied Sophia with stern eyes, waiting for her response.

To her surprise, Sophia remained composed. "Director, I believe the HR department, logistics, and security can provide the most accurate answers. Since you're my superior, I’d appreciate your assistance in handling this matter fairly."

The director gave a curt nod. "Very well."

Together, they went to HR. After discussions, the logistics staff and security were summoned to review the surveillance footage.

The footage revealed the truth: Olivia had sneaked into the warehouse, retrieved a broken chair, and swapped it with Sophia’s. When Sophia returned, she unknowingly placed the defective chair back at Olivia’s workstation.

Olivia sat down—and was injured.

The director, HR manager, and security team fell silent.

"Is there anything else?" Sophia asked coolly.

The director hesitated. This was a lose-lose situation.

If she didn’t discipline Sophia, Olivia—backed by the company’s major shareholder, Alexander Kensington—would raise hell. But firing Sophia? The quiet newcomer was far from a pushover.

What now?

In her office, the director sighed. "Sophia, you’re new here. You don’t understand the dynamics. Olivia isn’t someone you can afford to cross. She’s Alexander Kensington’s cousin—practically royalty here."

She leaned forward. "Take a couple of days off. Come back once she’s cooled down."

Sophia nodded. "Understood."

She knew her job was as good as gone.

Two days’ pay? Not worth fighting for.

That evening, Sophia left work with a heavy heart. She had wanted this job—badly. Despite the hostility, she was willing to endure gossip and Olivia’s pettiness.

All she wanted was stability.

But even that was denied.

Fine. She’d start job-hunting again tomorrow.

As she walked toward the bus stop, a sleek black car pulled up beside her.

Startled, Sophia froze when the window rolled down.

Ethan Blackwood’s piercing gaze met hers.

Her breath hitched. "You—why are you here?"

"Can you drive?" he asked, voice clipped.

Sophia blinked. "No."

Nathan Carter, Ethan’s ever-talkative assistant, chimed in. "Seriously, Mrs. Blackwood? In this day and age, who doesn’t have a license?"

Nathan’s audacity surprised even himself. After nearly being fired this morning, he’d somehow regained his boldness around Sophia.

But the question stung.

Inside the car, Sophia’s eyes darkened with memories.

The workplace bullying? Typical newbie treatment. Most would quit.

Not her.

She’d endured worse since the age of twelve, when the Thornton family took her in. If she’d fled every time life got hard, she’d have starved long ago.

Survival came first. Dreams—like owning a car—were luxuries she couldn’t afford.

She recalled Isabella Thornton’s first car: a million-dollar sports car, gifted before she even had a license. On weekends, Isabella would recklessly speed around their estate.

One such day, Sophia—returning to beg for school fees—found herself dodging the out-of-control vehicle.

"Sophia! Move, you idiot!" Isabella had screamed, steering straight toward her.

Sophia ducked behind a tree. The car crashed.

Blood streaked Isabella’s forehead. Sophia was bruised.

Yet the punishment fell solely on her.

Benjamin Thornton’s words still echoed: "Next time, stand still!"

"And if she hits me?" Sophia had dared to ask.

"You’d deserve it."

Another memory surfaced: Isabella practicing driving at the estate gates. Sophia, exhausted from waiting, fell asleep by the roadside. She woke to midnight chill, her stomach empty.

The Thornton servants sneered when she finally knocked. "Out all night at your age? Disgusting. Stay outside."

That night, she’d slept in the kennel to avoid freezing.

Years later, the pain still burned.

Tears welled, but she blinked them away.

The past was dead.

Now, she faced Ethan Blackwood—and an uncertain future.