Chapter 475

The office buzzed with whispers, but not all were sympathetic.

"Honestly, I think she got what she deserved."

"Poor Sophia. Giving birth out of wedlock? That’s just tragic."

"She’s not innocent either. Ever since she joined Montgomery Designs, Mr. Julian has been provoking her. She acts so clueless."

"Sold to construction workers? Did you see it happen? No? Then shut up!"

"These days, people bully others to death. Let’s just stay out of it."

The murmurs were loud enough to carry, but one voice rose above them all.

"You’re all shameless! Assaulting someone in broad daylight? I’m calling the police!" Sophia Carter shoved through the crowd, shielding Sophia Montgomery behind her. Her eyes burned with defiance as she glared at Cassandra Montgomery.

"Who the hell are you?" Cassandra sneered.

"Sophia Carter!" She lifted her chin. "And trust me, you don’t want to mess with me. I’ve got connections!"

"Connections?" Cassandra laughed mockingly. "You mean your cousin, Nathan Carter? The driver who works for my brother Ethan? That’s your big ‘background’?"

Sophia faltered. "H-how did you know?"

Cassandra ignored her, smirking instead. "Listen, little girl. Pick your battles wisely. Ask the woman behind you—does she even want you to call the police? I warned her yesterday. Told her to come here today and wait for me to teach her a lesson. And look—she obeyed. Maybe she’s begging me to ruin her face."

Sophia’s fists clenched. "That’s impossible! Miss Montgomery, I know your family is powerful in Kingsbury. But that doesn’t give you the right to torment her! Your nephew was the one harassing her—she never gave him the time of day! Why are you doing this? Why are you so cruel?"

Her chest heaved. Over the past month, Sophia Montgomery had become a true friend—buying her breakfast despite her tight budget, sharing meals, treating her with kindness. She couldn’t just stand by.

Cassandra rolled her eyes. "For Nathan’s sake, I’ll spare you. Step aside before this trash’s blood stains you too."

"I’m calling my cousin! He’ll beg Mr. Blackwood to intervene. You won’t lay a finger on her!" Sophia tightened her grip on Sophia Montgomery’s arm.

"No!" Sophia Montgomery’s voice was hoarse but firm. Her eyes were red-rimmed, yet she smiled. "Thank you, dear. But I want her to do this."

Silence.

The crowd gaped.

Sophia Carter recoiled. "What?"

Cassandra cackled. "Let me enlighten you all. This woman—Sophia Montgomery—is the convict Ethan Blackwood dragged back from Harborview! The one who spent two months as his prisoner!"

Gasps erupted.

Sophia Carter paled. "S-Sophia… is it true? You’re that woman?"

The words carved into Sophia Montgomery like knives. Stripped bare, exposed. She couldn’t answer.

The office exploded.

"Oh my God! It’s her!"

"I remember now! On her first day, we were gossiping about her in the elevator—and she just stood there, listening! How calculating!"

"If she wasn’t a schemer, how could she seduce Mr. Ethan, then Mr. Julian? Rumor has it she even slept with a seventy-year-old!"

"I heard she lived in the slums—a place full of prostitutes!"

Sophia Carter’s head whipped around, stunned.

One woman triumphantly waved her phone. "I saw her! At the driving school, servicing a man in uniform!" The photo showed Sophia’s profile beside a blurred male figure.

"Disgusting!"

"Slut! No wonder Miss Montgomery wants to ruin her face!"

The insults rained down, leaving Sophia Montgomery numb.

This was Cassandra’s first move—humiliating her publicly, turning her into a spectacle.

The pain was distant now. If Cassandra struck her, she doubted she’d even feel it.

Her voice was hollow. "Miss Montgomery, since I’m cooperating… tell me. Why? Is it because of Julian? Or Isabella? Neither makes sense. I just want to understand."

Cassandra froze.

This woman was sharper than she’d thought.

Why was she so vicious?