Chapter 451

"Still, Sophia is absolutely stunning, isn't she? Ugh, men are such visual creatures... Fine, fine! To the beauty salon first! I have to outshine her!"

The taxi sped off in a huff.

Nathan glanced at Ethan. "Sir?"

"Home." Ethan's tone was clipped. He didn’t need to hear more—just those three gossiping women were enough to tell him everything. The girl was clearly eaten up with jealousy toward Sophia.

Jealous of the men who adored her.

Jealous of her breathtaking beauty.

And honestly? Even he wasn’t entirely happy about the attention Sophia attracted.

Nathan nodded, first stopping by the kindergarten to pick up Lily before heading home. The moment Lily climbed into the car and realized her mother wasn’t there, she demanded, "Where’s Mom?"

"How should I know?" Ethan grumbled.

Lily narrowed her eyes. "Weren’t you supposed to wait for her after work?"

"No. Take it. Here." His voice was ice.

Lily studied him for a second—then grinned.

And then, with all the mischief of a five-year-old, she delivered the killing blow: "Ohhh, I get it. There must be some handsome guy at Mom’s company who asked her out to dinner. That’s why she didn’t come home with you. Am I right?"

Nathan: "..."

Sweet heavens, this child was playing with fire.

Princess, you might be the Blackwood family’s most treasured jewel, but please stop poking the bear.

Nathan half-expected Ethan to roll down the window and toss her out right then and there.

But the man in the back seat merely clenched his jaw, his expression darkening. He didn’t retaliate. Didn’t even snap back.

Which only made Lily more delighted.

Her eyes curved into mischievous crescents. "Daddy, grumpy daddy, even if you don’t answer, I know I’m right. Back in Willowbrook, there were always handsome uncles asking Mom out. They treated her so well. Sometimes she’d even ask me if I liked one enough to be my new dad."

She leaned in, whispering conspiratorially. "Mom attracts admirers everywhere she goes. So, Daddy, you’d better step up your game—or some other handsome uncle will steal her away!"

Ethan finally snapped. "And you’d be happy if that happened?"

"Of course! It means Mom’s gorgeous!"

"Then what if I—"

"You can’t!" Lily’s tiny hands balled into fists. "If you dare look at another woman, I’ll chase her off myself! Hmph!"

Nathan choked back a laugh—until Ethan’s murderous glare silenced him. "Sir, we’re home."

As the car stopped, father and daughter stepped out—only to find Sophia waiting for them at the front door.

Lily gasped and sprinted toward her. "Mom! You’re here!"

But Sophia barely glanced at her. Instead, she walked straight to Ethan and wrapped her arms around him.

"Thank you," she murmured softly.

Lily: "..."

Nathan, watching from behind, was force-fed a heaping spoonful of dog food.

"Well, well, little princess," he teased. "After all that big talk defending your mom, turns out you’re the one left out in the cold."

Lily jutted her chin out. "Hmph! Mom’s happy. That’s all that matters."

Nathan: "..."

He was beginning to understand. Sophia Montgomery wasn’t just a man-eater—she was a universal charmer. Young, old, male, female—no one was immune.

At this point, Nathan wanted to sigh dramatically at his boss. Sir, having a daughter is a blessing… but also a curse. No wonder you went through hell to bring her and her mother back.

You were asking for this torture.

But before he could open his mouth, Ethan’s icy stare shut him up. "Sir, I’ll—uh—head out now."

He scrambled back into the car.

Through the window, he watched as Ethan guided Sophia and Lily into the elevator, the picture of a perfect family.

And Nathan?

Just a lone, suffering single.

With a sigh, he drove off.

Inside the elevator, Ethan studied Sophia. "You’re home early."

"Yeah." She met his gaze briefly before looking away.

He was still the same—calm, commanding, unreadable. The kind of man who could eliminate his own half-brothers without flinching.

And yet…

Noah’s leg had healed.

And he’d never told her.

"Was it for me?" she asked quietly.

"Hm?"

"Never mind." She bit her lip. She couldn’t betray Liam. Couldn’t betray Noah. She didn’t even know if admitting she knew would send Noah into exile again.

Because she could never predict Ethan’s reactions.

His anger. His gentleness.

All she knew was this: he hadn’t killed Noah.

And for that, she was grateful.

Ethan frowned. This wasn’t like her. She was usually so composed, so indifferent to petty office politics.

So why the sudden softness?

"Go wash up," she said, slipping into the role of a doting wife. "I helped make dinner tonight—your favorite noodles from back home. If we don’t eat soon, they’ll clump."

Ethan blinked.

Since when did Sophia Montgomery sound like a housewife?