Chapter 499

The screen displayed a man embracing a woman.

Both figures were unclothed. The man's back faced the camera, but the woman's face—calm, unflinching—was unmistakable.

It was Sophia.

Sophia Montgomery, wrapped in a stranger's arms, plastered across social media. Not just one account—multiple influencers with millions of followers had shared it.

Ethan Blackwood's fingers tightened around his phone.

His instincts had been right. Sophia had been distant last night. And now, within twenty-four hours, this scandal had exploded.

In the hospital room, everyone watched Ethan's murderous expression.

His grip on Isabella Thornton's lips hadn't loosened, silencing her. Tears streamed down Isabella's face, her mouth surely swollen into grotesque proportions.

"Ethan, what's gotten into you?" Old Man Thornton rasped from the bed, torn between concern for his granddaughter and fear of Ethan's wrath.

Ethan released Isabella without a word.

Then he threw his phone at her.

Isabella gasped, her lips throbbing. She didn't need a mirror to know how hideous she looked—and she couldn't bear Ethan seeing her like this.

Covering her mouth, she sobbed. "Uuu—"

But Ethan was already striding out, ignoring everyone in the room.

Silence fell.

Old Man Thornton, still recovering, turned to Isabella. "What happened?"

Isabella sniffled dramatically. "Grandpa, I've been by your side for weeks! That video wasn't my doing! It's all Sophia—she must've staged this to frame me! And now Ethan blames me for her mistakes!"

Before she could finish, Alexander Kensington snatched her phone.

His expression darkened as he watched the footage. Without a word, he grabbed Isabella's lips just as Ethan had.

Though not as strong as Ethan, his grip was enough to make Isabella shriek.

"Alexander!" Old Man Thornton wheezed. "Are you trying to kill me?"

Alexander smirked. "Grandfather, you've been faking a heart attack since yesterday. Now that Ethan's gone, drop the act."

Old Man Thornton stiffened.

Alexander stormed out, heading straight for the hotel lobby to book the earliest flight back to Harborview City. Once arrangements were made, he dialed Sophia.

No answer.

Because Sophia's phone was silenced.

She stood in the principal's office at Lily's kindergarten, her gaze icy.

The principal had planned to expel Lily the moment Sophia walked in. That scandalous video was too damning.

But before he could speak, Sophia cut in. "Principal. We need to talk."

He scoffed. "Mrs. Montgomery, if this is about withdrawing Lily—"

"No."

The principal blinked.

Sophia's voice was lethally calm. "I said we need to talk. And if you refuse, don't come begging later. You have thirty seconds to decide."

Something in her tone made him shudder.

"F-Fine. My office."

Once inside, Sophia locked the door.

Then she dropped the bomb.

"Principal. You've seen that video. But let me make one thing clear—Lily is Ethan Blackwood's biological daughter. The richest man in Harborview City. That black car picking me up daily? His."

She leaned closer.

"Yes, I was imprisoned. Yes, I'm his captive. But do you think Ethan Blackwood will tolerate his flesh and blood being humiliated here?"

The principal paled.

"Lily is illegitimate, just like Ethan was. And he spent his childhood in exile. Do you think he'll let history repeat itself?"

Sophia's smile was razor-sharp.

"If my daughter hears one wrong word from you or anyone here, Ethan will burn this place to the ground. He'll paint these walls with blood."

The principal's hands trembled.

"F-Fairness—we treat all children equally—"

"Fairness?" Sophia laughed coldly. "Tell that to the parents you've bullied into withdrawing their kids."