Chapter 159

Nathan Carter studied Ethan Blackwood with confusion.

Ethan's voice was ice-cold as he repeated, "Go back."

Nathan hesitated.

Then it clicked.

His mind worked fast—being scolded by the Fourth Master had that effect. As he started the engine, he assured Ethan, "Sir, don’t worry. Even though Miss Sophia lives in a rough area, I’ll make sure no one bothers her. I’m heading there now. Immediately. I’ll stand guard outside her place."

Ethan didn’t respond.

Instead, he stepped into the elevator alone.

Nathan drove straight to Sophia’s neighborhood.

He didn’t dare get too close.

Parking a distance away, he killed the engine and watched her dimly lit window from the shadows.

Nathan wrinkled his nose in disgust.

"People actually live here?" he muttered.

The streets were narrow, barely wide enough for a single car. Trash littered the alleys. In just ten minutes, he’d already seen three men stumbling out of dark corners, adjusting their pants.

One couple didn’t even bother hiding—they found a shadowed wall and got to work right there.

Nathan had seen his share of debauchery.

Ethan had strict principles—no affairs, no illegitimate children. If he married, it would be once, and only to the woman he chose.

But he didn’t enforce those rules on his men.

Nathan wasn’t a saint, but this?

This was something else.

A place where people just grabbed a corner, did the deed, tossed a few bills, and walked away like nothing happened.

And Miss Sophia lived here?

The thought made his skin crawl.

Then he spotted a figure lingering near Sophia’s door.

The man didn’t knock.

He just stood there, watching.

Nathan squinted.

Noah Whitmore.

Joan’s friend.

Noah waited for two hours before finally leaving, shoulders slumped.

Nathan exhaled.

This guy wasn’t playing around.

He kept watch all night, only catching a few hours of sleep in his car before dawn.

At ten sharp, Nathan knocked on Sophia’s door.

"Miss Montgomery," he said politely. "Mr. Blackwood sent me to escort you."

Sophia’s eyes narrowed. "Is this another game? First, your boss drags me into his mess, and now his grandfather wants to see me? What did I do wrong this time?"

Her voice turned sharp. "If you’re trying to crush me like an insect, think again. Push me too far, and I’ll fight back."

Nathan’s expression softened. "Miss Montgomery, I’m here to protect you. No one will harm you as long as I’m around."

Sophia hesitated, then nodded. "Thank you."

The car ride was silent.

She wasn’t nervous.

At this point, she had nothing left to lose.

Blackwood Manor loomed ahead.

Inside, the grand hall was packed.

Sophia recognized some faces—Isabella Thornton, William Thornton, Charlotte Kensington, Liam Sterling’s parents.

Others were strangers.

But their stares all said the same thing:

Disgust.

William Blackwood sat at the center, his voice dripping with disdain. "You’re finally here."

Sophia lifted her chin. "Get to the point."

"First," William snapped, "you will apologize to everyone here. Second—"

"Apologize?" Sophia cut him off. "For what? I don’t even know half these people!"

William’s face darkened. "You insolent girl! Do you think you can walk into the Blackwood estate and leave unscathed? You will obey!"

Sophia’s pulse spiked.

She knew the Blackwoods’ power.

They could erase her without a trace.

Ethan was ruthless, but William?

He was worse.

Her voice wavered. "Fine. What do you want?"

"Apologize!"

Sophia clenched her fists. "To who? And for what?"

William pointed at Isabella. "She is my grandson’s fiancée, carrying his heir. And you? You’ve been seducing Ethan shamelessly. Isabella is too kind to confront you, but I won’t tolerate this disrespect!"

Sophia’s gaze snapped to Isabella.

The other woman smirked, triumph glittering in her eyes.

Sophia’s stomach twisted.

This wasn’t about apologies.

This was humiliation.