Chapter 461

The confrontation was unmistakably directed at Sophia today. Had Cassandra come to target her because of Julian?

Or was this some twisted way to humiliate Olivia?

Sophia's first instinct told her it must be about Julian.

After all, Cassandra and Olivia had no connection whatsoever.

Sophia steadied herself, her voice calm but firm. "Miss Montgomery, if my work isn't satisfactory, I’ll resign immediately."

"No, no, no." Cassandra smirked, shaking her head. "You’re far from just an incompetent employee, Miss Montgomery."

Sophia tensed. "What do you mean?"

What did Cassandra know?

Leaning in, Cassandra whispered venomously, "You shameless wretch. How bold of you to fake your credentials and sneak into my family’s company. Are you trying to get yourself thrown back into prison?"

Sophia’s face drained of color.

Cassandra continued, her voice dripping with malice. "The filthy scandal you were involved in six years ago? The elite circles may not recognize you now, but that’s only because the evidence was suppressed. Your name, your face—all scrubbed clean. And thanks to Ethan’s orders, no one dares breathe a word about it. But that doesn’t mean I don’t remember."

Sophia gripped the edge of the desk, her legs threatening to give way.

She bit her lip. "What do you want?"

"Do you know my sister?" Cassandra pressed.

Sophia shook her head. "I don’t."

"Ava Sinclair. Ring any bells?"

Sophia froze.

The name was familiar, but it took her a moment to place it. Then it hit her—Ava was the actress who had demanded Sophia kneel and polish her shoes at that private gathering with Ethan.

Cassandra’s smirk widened. "The man Ava was with that night? My brother-in-law. You ruined his plans, destroyed Ava’s career, and now you’re seducing my nephew? Do you have a death wish? First Ethan, now my family? Do you really think we won’t ship you off to rot in some African slum? And that daughter of yours—"

"Leave Lily out of this!" Sophia snapped, her composure shattering.

She wasn’t afraid of death. She wasn’t afraid of humiliation.

But Lily was her only weakness.

Sophia knew Ethan had been kind to her lately, even acting like a doting father to Lily. But she also knew the bond between Ethan and Julian ran deeper than blood. And Julian’s influence matched Ethan’s.

She would never dare assume she—or even Lily—could outweigh Julian in Ethan’s heart.

Her hands trembled as she met Cassandra’s cold gaze.

Cassandra scoffed. "Stay here and do as you’re told. Once I’m settled, I’ll decide what to do with you. And stop flaunting yourself like some prized peacock. You’re nothing but trash."

Sophia swallowed the lump in her throat, forcing herself to nod.

"Answer me!" Cassandra barked.

"Yes. I understand."

Just then, Cassandra’s phone rang. She answered with a smirk. "Isabella…"

Sophia’s blood ran cold.

This wasn’t about Julian.

This was Isabella’s doing.

After all this time, Isabella had finally made her move. And she’d chosen to crush Sophia through Cassandra.

A bitter laugh escaped Sophia’s lips as she watched Cassandra stride away, victorious.

The moment Cassandra left, the office erupted.

"Sophia! Do you have any idea who you just crossed?" Linda sneered, relishing the moment. "Miss Montgomery is Kyoto royalty. You’re finished."

"All that arrogance, and now look at you," another colleague taunted. "Watching you grovel was the highlight of my day."

Even the design director could only offer a sympathetic pat on the shoulder. "Sophia, learn to keep your head down. Don’t provoke those you can’t afford to offend. Right now, resigning would only make things worse. Your only chance is to endure until she’s satisfied."

Sophia stared blankly ahead. "I know."

She knew better than anyone there was no escape. She’d tried running once—Ethan had dragged her back.

All she could do now was pray Lily would be safe.

The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur.

Linda deliberately dumped flawed designs on her desk, forcing Sophia to meticulously point out every error.

Linda smirked. "Still playing the diligent worker? Pathetic."

Sophia didn’t care.

She just needed to survive until the end of the day.

The moment the clock struck five, she grabbed her bag and bolted.

Outside, she nearly collided with Sophia Carter.

Galia’s eyes were red-rimmed with worry. "Sophia, Cassandra is a hundred times worse than Olivia. Why does this keep happening to you? You didn’t provoke anyone! They came after you!"

Sophia managed a small smile.

She’d endured too much in her life—foster care, betrayal, six years in exile. Nothing could shake her now.

Gently, she wiped Galia’s tears. "Hey, don’t cry for me. If they see you siding with me, they’ll come after you next."

Galia shook her head fiercely. "I don’t care."