Chapter 203

Where Can They Escape?

Sophia's eyes suddenly burned with unshed tears. She bit her lip hard, refusing to let herself break in front of Ethan.

Ethan's voice was cold, detached. "His daily earnings exceed a million. He'll be hospitalized for at least a week. Lost wages, medical bills, rehabilitation—all of it adds up. Five million is a conservative estimate."

Sophia swallowed.

"Frankly, ten million seems more appropriate," Ethan stated flatly.

Oliver Dawson's face lit up with greed. "Mr. Blackwood, you're absolutely right! Ten million is fair!"

His son, Mason, grinned sweetly. "Thank you, Uncle Ethan!"

A sharp, childish voice cut through the tension. "Even if you find a hundred uncles to back you up, I'm not scared! Fight me one-on-one, Mason! If I win, you leave my mom alone!"

Sophia whirled around.

Lily stood in the doorway, small fists clenched. Behind her, Noah Whitmore sat frozen in his wheelchair, his face pale.

Noah had insisted on coming, determined to protect Sophia despite his condition. But he hadn’t expected Ethan Blackwood to be here.

Mason smirked. "Lily, you’re finished! Uncle Ethan’s on my side now. Kneel and beg, or he’ll make you and your mom disappear!"

Lily’s eyes blazed. Before anyone could react, she lunged, shoving Mason to the ground.

Sophia gasped, pulling Lily into her arms. "Lily, run! Take Noah and go—now!"

She tried to drag Lily toward the exit, but Nathan Carter blocked their path. "Miss Montgomery..."

Sophia’s breath hitched.

Lily wrenched free. "I’m not running! I’ll protect you and Uncle Noah!" She glared at Mason. "Fight me, coward!"

She didn’t even glance at Ethan.

But Ethan saw her.

The girl was five, tall for her age, slender. Her delicate features mirrored Sophia’s, but her eyes—those piercing, defiant eyes—were unmistakably his.

Six years.

Six years of searching.

"Uncle Ethan, kill her! She’s a fatherless brat!" Mason wailed.

Oliver’s wife snarled, lunging for Lily, but Nathan stopped her.

Ethan crouched before Lily. "Your name is Lily?"

Lily shrank back. She’d seen this man on her mother’s computer. Seen her mother cry over his image late at night.

If her mother feared him, so did she.

"Will you let my mom go?" Lily whispered.

Ethan frowned. "What?"

"If you let her and Uncle Noah leave... you can kill me instead." Her voice trembled, but her gaze held his.

A five-year-old, bargaining for her mother’s life.

Nathan nearly choked. Sir, are you seriously playing the villain right now?

Sophia screamed, "No! Ethan, please—she’s just a child! Noah’s innocent too! Let them go, and I’ll give you my life right now!" She shoved Ethan aside, clutching Lily protectively.

She knew his cruelty better than anyone.

She’d cared for his dying mother. Endured his indifference. All for a pittance. And when she’d dared disrupt his unwanted engagement, he’d sent a truck to kill her.

Now he’d found her. There would be no mercy.

Ethan smiled faintly.

To Oliver, it looked menacing. But his tone was calm. "This isn’t the Middle Ages, Miss Montgomery. I’m not here to kill anyone. Just to ensure justice is served. Ten million. How soon can you pay?"

Nathan suppressed a groan. Sir, you’ve spent six years tearing the world apart looking for them. And now you’re extorting her?

Sophia’s voice cracked. "I don’t have ten million! Take my life, but let them go!"

Ethan’s expression remained unreadable. "Your life isn’t currency. The debt stands."

Sophia’s knees nearly buckled.

Somewhere in the room, Mason crowed in triumph.

But Ethan’s gaze never left Lily.