Chapter 323

Lily tilted her head curiously. "Uncle Nathan, what does 'killing two birds with one stone' mean?" The little girl's innocent eyes blinked, clearly puzzled by the complex idiom.

Nathan opened his mouth to explain, but a glance in the rearview mirror froze the words on his tongue. Ethan Blackwood's icy expression was enough to silence him instantly.

Unlike Nathan, Lily had no such reservations. When he didn’t answer, she turned her big, defiant eyes toward her intimidating father. "You tell me," she demanded, crossing her arms. "What does it mean?"

Gone was the cuddly affection she’d shown at Blackwood Manor. Now, she refused to even call him "Daddy," still fuming over the swarm of women around him.

Ugh. Just thinking about it made her scowl.

Ethan looked down at his rebellious little daughter, torn between amusement and exasperation. Instead of answering, he countered, "Why did you frame Victoria?"

"Because she wants to marry you!" Lily shot back without hesitation.

"And why did you set up Isabella?" Ethan pressed, already knowing the answer.

"Same reason!" she huffed, her tiny fists clenching. "She wants you too!"

"So," Ethan mused, a smirk tugging at his lips, "you tricked Victoria, pinned the blame on her, and then sat back to watch them tear each other apart?"

Lily lifted her chin proudly. "Hmph! No one gets to take you from Mommy! You belong to her!"

Ethan’s smirk faded. "Is that what you really want? For your mother to marry me?"

Lily faltered.

Did she? Had she ever truly considered it?

No. Never.

"Of course not!" she lied, cheeks flushing. "Mommy would never marry you!"

Ethan exhaled sharply. Arguing with a five-year-old was futile—her logic was absolute, her stubbornness unmatched.

Still, today’s events had proven one thing: his daughter was a force to be reckoned with.

Lily might not know if her mother would ever accept Ethan, but in her heart, no woman would ever steal him away. If they tried, she’d make sure they regretted it.

Today’s victory was just the beginning.

This little troublemaker—so cunning, so fearless—was undeniably his.

Pride swelled in his chest. He ruffled her hair before pulling out his phone and dialing a familiar number.

Sophia had just finished her job interview. The process had gone smoothly, thanks to Ethan’s influence, and she’d be starting in a few days. As she stepped out of the office, her phone buzzed.

Ethan’s voice was cool. "Where is the bracelet?"

Sophia froze. "What bracelet?"

"The one from six years ago."

Her breath hitched. That bracelet—the last thing she’d left beside Aunt Victoria’s urn.

"I gave it back to you," she said carefully. "You refused. You said it was your mother’s gift to me."

Ethan’s silence was heavy. He hadn’t called to reclaim it. He needed to know if it was still safe—if she’d sold it.

"It’s not about taking it back," he finally said, voice tight. "But it’s my mother’s legacy. I need to know it’s still with you."

Sophia’s voice turned brittle. "You think I’d sell it? Aunt Victoria was the only family I had. That bracelet stays with her."

Ethan exhaled. "Good."

Before she could hang up, Lily’s excited squeal pierced through. "Mommy! I scared off two ladies today! They wanted to be my stepmom, but I made them fight! It was so funny!"

Sophia’s blood ran cold. "Lily Blackwood, what did you do?!"