Chapter 417

Eleanor Blackwood stood frozen, her lips pressed into a thin line.

She had spent her entire life battling Victoria Blackwood, believing she had finally won. Victoria’s only son had been exiled, stripped of his inheritance. Yet, in a single night, Ethan Blackwood had overturned everything.

Now, all of Eleanor’s sons were gone.

Silenced.

She was left childless, nothing more than Richard Blackwood’s wife—a hollow title in this vast, empty manor.

At this moment, she didn’t dare shield Victoria Sullivan.

She could only watch, expressionless, as Victoria was dragged out, her face burning from the slap. The Blackwood servants watched in silence as the disgraced woman was thrown out of the gates.

"Let’s eat," Grace Blackwood finally said, a satisfied smile curling her lips.

The meal passed quietly. Richard remained subdued under his mother’s watchful gaze, but Sophia Montgomery found it bearable—especially with Lily Blackwood by her side. The little girl was fiercely protective, piling food onto her mother’s plate.

"Mom, try this!"

"And this!"

Sophia’s heart warmed despite her unease.

Meanwhile, outside the gates, Victoria Sullivan lingered, seething.

She didn’t leave until she saw Ethan emerge, Lily in his arms, Sophia trailing behind.

Then, she pulled out her phone, dialing Eleanor with trembling fingers.

"Zhengxiong," Eleanor whispered later, once Victoria had been smuggled back inside. "I didn’t bring her back just for my sake. Think about it—our son barely acknowledges us. What will we do in our old age? If Victoria marries Ethan, at least she’ll care for us. Their children will be our grandchildren."

She paused, then added bitterly, "But Sophia? She’s nothing."

Richard exhaled slowly.

His wife wasn’t wrong.

The only way to control Ethan was through his marriage. Neither of them wanted Isabella Thornton—nor Sophia.

After a long silence, Richard patted Victoria’s shoulder. "Ethan is stubborn. The more you oppose him, the more he’ll defy you. Bringing Sophia here today? That was just a show. Look at her—she doesn’t fit his world. He’s using her as a shield."

He smirked. "He hasn’t forgotten their past. Do you really think he’d forgive her so easily? Impossible. This marriage is just for Lily. If you play your cards right, Victoria… you still have a chance."

Victoria’s eyes lit up. "Really, Uncle?"

"Of course," Richard said coldly. "Those jade bracelets are Blackwood heirlooms. They will never stay on the wrists of an ex-convict."

At that very moment, inside the car, Sophia was sliding the bracelets off, handing them to Ethan.

"Take them."

His expression darkened. "Put them back on."

"No," she said flatly. "These are Blackwood treasures. I don’t want them."

She remembered the last heirloom bracelet—how it had nearly destroyed her. Even now, Ethan still demanded to know where it was.

As if she had no right to dispose of what was given to her.

She wasn’t greedy. She had kept it with Victoria’s ashes six years ago. But this pair? They were a burden.

"I’m not after your money," she said, smiling faintly. "One day, when Lily is grown and I’m no longer useful, you’ll want these back. If my wrists swell and I can’t remove them… will you chop off my hands?"

Lily giggled. "Mom, that’s so funny!"

Sophia’s smile didn’t reach her eyes.

Ethan’s jaw tightened.

After everything, she still spoke like a stranger.

"Wear them," he said icily. "Lily is five. By the time she’s eighteen, you’ll be useless. If you don’t want to lose your hands, don’t gain weight."

Lily beamed. "See, Mom? Dad just wants you to stay pretty forever!"

Sophia stared at Ethan, her gaze sharp enough to cut glass.

He ignored her.

The driver, sensing the tension, cleared his throat. "Shall we… head home?"

"I want to go to the amusement park!" Lily cheered.

Sophia shook her head. "We went yesterday. And at lunch, you threw chili sauce at that woman’s face. That’s not how a little lady behaves."

Lily grinned. "But Mom, I only did it because you and Dad were there! If you weren’t, I wouldn’t dare—she’s scary!"

Sophia sighed.

This child was too much like her father.