Chapter 317

Lily immediately hid in Ethan's arms, trembling with fear.

She buried her face against her father's chest but didn't forget to point the finger. "Y-yes… it was Aunt Victoria! She told me to put this hat on you! She said you love green turtle caps the most! And the paintbrushes… she bought them for me! Waaaaah!"

After her dramatic accusation, Lily burst into fake sobs against Ethan's shoulder.

In truth, she was barely holding back laughter.

She couldn’t help it—she had to giggle or she’d suffocate.

Deep down, Lily didn’t hate her cold, ruthless father as much as before. But no woman would ever steal him from her mother.

Even if her parents acted like sworn enemies now, even if they stayed that way forever, Lily refused to let any third party come between them.

She would drive away every woman clinging to her father.

No exceptions.

This time, she had killed two birds with one stone.

Though the five-year-old didn’t know that exact phrase, the intent was clear.

Her father belonged to her mother alone!

Hmph!

Lily smirked into Ethan’s chest, her shoulders shaking. To an outsider, it might look like she was crying.

Ethan didn’t call her out. He simply watched his little schemer with silent amusement.

Let the show go on.

Victoria Sullivan, caught in the trap, paled. She pointed a trembling finger at Lily. "You little brat! How dare you lie like that?"

"Isabella!" Ethan’s voice cut through the room. "Did you give this child the paintbrushes?"

Victoria froze.

Lily peeked out from Ethan’s arms, rubbing her eyes dramatically. "Aunt Victoria, you said… if you became my mother, you’d treat me so well. You promised to love me after marrying Daddy…"

Victoria snarled, "You little devil! I never told you to paint a green turtle on Isabella’s head! You said you were making a gift for your grandfather! How did it end up on her?"

A ripple of laughter spread through the crowd.

Someone muttered, "If Ethan is Isabella’s fiancé, and you’re trying to steal him… isn’t that just giving her a green hat?"

Another chuckled. "This child is sharp."

Victoria’s face twisted in fury.

Isabella, however, had heard enough.

"Victoria!" she shrieked, lunging forward and grabbing a fistful of Victoria’s hair. "I’ll make you bald today!"

Chaos erupted.

Guests gasped as the two women tumbled to the floor, clawing and screaming.

Even William Blackwood, seated at the head of the room, looked stunned.

Isabella, backed by her powerful grandfather, feared no one but Ethan. And with her grandfather present, she wasn’t about to let some scheming woman humiliate her.

A sharp yank—Victoria’s hair came loose in Isabella’s grip.

Victoria howled in pain, then retaliated by stomping on Isabella’s foot.

A sickening crack.

Isabella collapsed, wailing, but her grip on Victoria’s hair only tightened. They rolled across the floor, scratching and biting like wild animals.

"You shameless witch!" Isabella screeched. "Dare to steal my man? I’ll kill you!"

Victoria snarled back, "Let go of my hair, you hag! My aunt is the mistress of this house! If you touch me, you’ll regret it!"

"You’ve waited six years, and he still won’t marry you!" Victoria spat. "Keep dreaming, you pathetic—"

Their insults dissolved into incoherent screams as they tore at each other.

The guests stood frozen, too shocked to intervene.

Ethan, however, remained unmoved.

Blackwood Manor held no sentimental value for him. The memories here were bitter.

If these women wanted to humiliate themselves, so be it.

But Lily, still in his arms, had gone stiff.

Her prank had spiraled out of control. Blood streaked both women’s faces. Isabella’s toe was bleeding.

Lily whimpered, pressing closer to Ethan. "Daddy… I’m scared…"

"Nathan!" Ethan barked.

His assistant rushed in, eyes widening at the scene. "Sir?"

"Throw them both into the river," Ethan said coldly. "Let the fish deal with them."

Silence.

The two women froze mid-scratch, their faces draining of color.

Everyone in Harborview City knew—Ethan Blackwood didn’t make empty threats.

Isabella, her face streaked with blood, whimpered, "Ethan…"

Victoria turned desperately to Eleanor Blackwood. "Aunt…!"

But no one moved to save them.