Chapter 463

Sophia felt that her cousin Nathan was Ethan's personal bodyguard, and at the very least, he could protect her when things went south.

Margaret looked at Sophia with concern. "Sophia, you're my cousin's friend. Please find him. He drives for Ethan. Maybe he can help you."

Sophia shook her head. "No one can help me with this."

"Is it because of Julian? It's not like you sought him out. Besides, you haven't even had a meal with him yet, nor have you paid him any attention."

Sophia shook her head again. "It's not about that. You wouldn't understand... Never mind. Don't worry about me. I'll be fine. And Margaret, please keep this between us. Don't tell your cousin Nathan, okay?"

Margaret frowned. "Why not?"

Sophia sighed. "Your cousin is just a driver. He can't help me, and it might cause trouble for him. It's better to let this blow over quietly. Do you understand?"

Margaret nodded reluctantly. "Fine. I won't say anything."

The two walked out together, clocked in, and stepped into the elevator.

As soon as the doors closed, the whispers behind them erupted into vicious gossip.

"Oh my God, she actually offended Miss Cassandra. She's done for now."

"Where does she get the nerve? Does she think just because this is a small design firm, everyone here is pushovers? She doesn’t realize she’s messing with people she can’t afford to cross. Even Olivia was taken down by a cousin. And look at her—wearing that cheap sportswear today. What a joke!"

"It's because she's a dirty little gold-digger. I heard she was cozying up to some driving instructor. Just like Miss Cassandra said—she’s definitely a whore."

"From now on, we’ll have front-row seats to the show. I heard Miss Cassandra won’t let her resign. She’s going to come to the office every day just to torment her."

"What else can she do? Didn’t she used to... sell herself?"

"Probably! Otherwise, how else could she bewitch every man she meets? It’s a professional skill, haha!"

As the women stepped off the elevator and left the company, they tore into Sophia with vicious glee, painting her as some kind of seductress.

And they couldn’t wait for the next act of the drama.

Meanwhile, Sophia had already made her way downstairs and slipped into Nathan’s waiting car, heading straight to Lily’s kindergarten.

For the past three days, because of Noah, Sophia had been unusually docile and cooperative with Ethan. But the moment she got into the car, he sensed something was off.

"What’s wrong?" Ethan asked sharply.

Sophia shook her head, silent.

Ethan’s jaw tightened.

Nathan, noticing the tension, discreetly pulled out his phone and called Margaret. "Margaret, what happened at Sophia’s office today?"

"Nothing, cousin. Why?" Margaret answered innocently.

"Never mind," Nathan said before hanging up.

He glanced at Ethan. "It’s nothing serious, sir. Don’t worry about Madam."

By then, Sophia had reached the kindergarten gates. Just as she was about to call for Lily, a sharp voice cut through the air behind her.

"Lily’s mother, if you don’t want to participate in our events, then leave the group!"

Sophia turned.

The woman glaring at her was someone she’d never seen before—well-dressed, dripping in luxury, with a Bentley parked nearby.

Sophia recognized the type immediately: a wealthy socialite looking for trouble.

Though the woman’s tone was hostile, Sophia, already drained from Cassandra’s earlier harassment, didn’t want another confrontation.

She forced a polite smile. "I’m sorry, I’ve been busy lately and haven’t checked the group messages. Which event are you referring to? I’ll make sure to contribute—whether it’s at a hotel or someone’s home, I’ll cover my share."

The woman scoffed. "Oh, so now you’re pretending to be generous in front of everyone? If you were really willing to participate, you would’ve read the messages. Don’t play dumb with me!"

Sophia’s patience frayed. "I genuinely didn’t see them. But I’ll go through them tonight. Excuse me."

She quickly took Lily’s hand and walked away.

"Mom, you seem... distracted today," Lily observed, her small voice laced with concern.

Sophia forced a smile. "Do you mean absent-minded or unsettled?"

Lily pouted. "Same thing!"

Sophia chuckled weakly. "Tell me, sweetheart... do you like your dad?"

Lily thought for a moment. "I like you and Dad."

Sophia’s heart clenched.

She tried again as they neared the car. "I know you love me. But I’m asking—do you like Dad alone?"

Lily stubbornly repeated, "I like both of you. Together. All three of us."

Sophia’s breath hitched.

She suddenly understood—her daughter was sharper than she realized. Lily had tasted the warmth of a complete family, and she wasn’t willing to let go of either parent.

Sophia’s chest tightened.

If Cassandra only wanted to torment her, she could endure it. But if Cassandra, Isabella, or even Charlotte Kensington decided to destroy her completely, she needed to ensure one thing above all else—that Ethan would love and protect Lily, no matter what.

Right now, that was all she could fight for.

As she slid into the car, Ethan immediately demanded, "Who was that woman?"

Sophia answered absently, "I don’t know."