Chapter 233

Isabella Thornton was swiftly escorted by the bodyguards sent by William Thornton and taken directly to the Thornton family's private hospital. She was placed in the most luxurious and secluded ward available. The doctors quickly diagnosed her condition and discovered the truth about the babies she had lost. The premature birth had been caused by events long past.

William Thornton had only just learned of his daughter's death. This granddaughter was all he had left now. No matter how deceitful Isabella had been before, no matter how she had manipulated Ethan Blackwood, none of it mattered to him anymore. William Thornton only wanted to claim his granddaughter.

He summoned the finest physicians to restore Isabella’s health. When facing Ethan, the old man stood firm, swallowing his pride as he pleaded for leniency.

"Ethan," William began, his voice heavy with regret, "I owe you an apology for what I’ve done. I sought out Alexander Kensington’s aunt because of my own grief. I discovered she had once lived with a man named Benjamin Thornton. I couldn’t wait—I went straight to the Thornton estate."

"But when I arrived, I found you had already placed Charlotte under house arrest."

"The moment she heard me enter, she thought it was your men coming to harm her. In her panic, she fell down the stairs. The child… was lost."

"Isabella is devastated. She loves you. She believed that bearing your child would secure your heart. Now, without it, she’s convinced you’ll abandon her."

"Ethan, this was my fault. I cost you a son."

"If you must punish someone, punish me. Spare Isabella. She’s the only bloodline left from Alexander’s aunt."

"Please, Ethan. Grant an old man this mercy."

William Thornton was no ordinary figure. In Harborview City, the Thornton family stood just below the Blackwoods in influence. Though not as wealthy, William’s political and military connections ran deep. His network of allies was formidable.

Ethan wasn’t intimidated by the Thornton family’s power. What stayed his hand was the debt he owed. Years ago, when the entire Blackwood family had turned their backs on Ethan and his mother, Victoria, it was William Thornton who had shielded them. Without his intervention, Ethan wouldn’t have survived.

That debt was immeasurable.

"Grandfather Thornton," Ethan replied coolly, "the child’s loss changes nothing. Once Isabella recovers, she can bear another. There’s no need for grief. This is a blessing—you’ve found your granddaughter after thirty years of searching. Even if your daughter is gone, her legacy remains."

"Tomorrow, I’ll host a formal recognition banquet for Isabella."

His tone was indifferent, devoid of any blame toward Isabella. The Thorntons wept with relief. They had always been opportunistic, and now, with William’s backing, they knew Ethan wouldn’t dare touch Isabella.

Not only would she survive, but with the Thornton family’s resources, her health would fully recover. She could still dream of marrying Ethan.

In fact, Isabella now felt she had an even stronger claim to him.

She gazed at Ethan with desperate hope. "Ethan, what about our wedding?"

"I won’t marry you." His refusal was absolute.

Isabella’s face twisted with humiliation. She forced a brittle smile. "Ethan, I carried your child. I saved your life. And now, I’m the heiress of the Thornton family. Am I still unworthy of you?"

Ethan’s expression didn’t flicker. "Yes."

"Why?"

A cold smirk curved his lips. "Sophia Montgomery ruined our wedding. No one in Harborview dares disrupt my affairs—yet she did. Until I drag her back alive, there will be no marriage."

Isabella fell silent.

She relayed Ethan’s words to Benjamin and Elizabeth Thornton. The three of them speculated in private—perhaps Ethan didn’t truly intend to kill Sophia.

Maybe he suspected the child she carried was his.

He would wait until she gave birth. If the baby was his, the Thorntons’ fate would still be sealed.

But this was only a theory.

From that day forward, Ethan’s men scoured the city with one order: capture Sophia alive. If she resisted, they were to kill her on sight.

The Thorntons took this as proof of his resolve.

Benjamin and Elizabeth began hiring assassins, spending millions over the next six years in their relentless hunt.

Yet every lead ended in failure. Sophia always slipped away before they could reach her.

Then, after six years, Ethan brought her back himself.

The Thorntons convinced themselves that Ethan wanted to personally exact revenge.

But when they finally saw Sophia—and the child she had with her—their confidence wavered.

Lily Blackwood was the spitting image of her father.

Still, the Thorntons weren’t worried. With William’s protection, they believed themselves untouchable.

Sophia, on the other hand, was surely doomed.

Isabella, however, seethed with jealousy. Six years, and she still hadn’t secured her place as Ethan’s wife.

Yet Sophia had returned first.

The sight of Sophia’s dazed expression filled Isabella with vicious satisfaction.

"Sophia," she sneered, "still dreaming about Sydney? Six years ago, my cousin Alexander was one of your admirers. Remember?"

She laughed mockingly.

"Do you know how close my grandfather came to killing Alexander because of you? If he sees you now, what do you think he’ll do?"

Sophia met her gaze evenly. "Isabella, your grandfather’s power means nothing to me. I never sought out Alexander. What can your grandfather do? Even the mighty must abide by the law."