Chapter 357

Unworthy? Absolutely Unworthy!

"You think dressing your child in designer clothes makes you high society?"

"Pathetic!"

Sophia Montgomery remained silent.

She saw right through this woman. Yesterday, she had mocked Sophia for being "plain," but today, the moment she saw something more exquisite than her own daughter’s outfit, envy consumed her.

Sophia was about to retort when an arm draped over her shoulders. She turned to see Ethan Blackwood beside her.

His multimillion-dollar luxury SUV idled smoothly beside them.

"Do you know her?" Ethan’s voice was icy, cutting through the tension like a blade.

Victoria Thompson—Emily’s mother—froze.

Sophia stammered, "You… weren’t you going to the office? Why are you still here?"

Ethan’s gaze didn’t waver from Victoria. "I said I wouldn’t tolerate anyone harassing Lilly at this kindergarten. And yet, here we are. Ill-mannered, uneducated—I’ll have the principal remove such people immediately."

Sophia exhaled sharply.

Victoria paled.

She wasn’t stupid. This man, this car—he wasn’t someone to cross.

Her legs trembled. Then, she dropped to her knees.

"Sir, please—I was blind! My child worked so hard to get into this school. We pulled strings, begged favors—please, give me another chance! I’ll never disrespect your wife again!"

Ethan scoffed.

Victoria turned to Sophia, desperation in her eyes. "Madam, I didn’t realize who you were. You’re true nobility—humble, unlike me, a pretentious fool. Please, for the sake of our daughters’ friendship, spare me this once!"

Tears streamed down her face.

Sophia tugged Ethan’s sleeve. "Let it go. The child isn’t at fault. Emily and Lilly are friends."

Victoria nodded frantically.

Ethan’s voice was steel. "This is your only warning."

"Yes! Thank you!" She scrambled away like a frightened animal.

Once she was gone, Ethan turned to Sophia. "Next time, defend yourself. I won’t have Lilly thinking her mother is weak."

Sophia met his gaze evenly. "I avoid unnecessary conflict."

"Unnecessary?" His brow arched. "How much trouble have you actually avoided?"

She clenched her jaw.

After a beat, she smirked. "So next time Isabella Thornton provokes me, I should slap her on the spot?"

"Would you prefer to let her walk all over you?"

Women. So naive.

She was the wife of Harborview City’s most feared tycoon, the so-called "Living Hades," yet she let herself be bullied in public?

"Understood." Sophia’s smile was razor-thin.

Ethan was right. Avoiding conflict only invited more.

The encounter with Victoria was just the beginning.

That same day, as Sophia entered Chase Office, she found Olivia Kensington waiting for her.

"Stop right there!" Olivia commanded.

Sophia ignored her, striding toward the elevators.

Ethan’s words echoed in her mind—don’t tolerate everything—but she wasn’t petty enough to engage with a spoiled heiress who coasted on family connections.

She pressed the call button for two elevators simultaneously.

One dinged open. Olivia lunged after her.

"Sophia! Who do you think you are? Just because Julian Montgomery glanced your way yesterday? You’re nothing but a kept woman!"

Sophia stepped inside.

Olivia followed—only for Sophia to swiftly exit and slip into the adjacent elevator just as the doors closed.

Olivia shrieked, scrambling to catch up, but her stiletto caught in the gap.

Rip.

Her skirt tore, exposing far more than intended.

A few early employees stifled laughter. Olivia, humiliated, stormed off to change.

By the time she returned, Sophia was already at her desk in the design department, reviewing proofreading assignments from Elizabeth Dawson—her so-called "mentor."

Elizabeth had no intention of mentoring her.

Instead, she dumped tedious proofreading work on Sophia, assuming she’d hate it.

But Sophia didn’t mind.

Proofreading let her study past designs, absorbing techniques to refine her own skills.

She had just settled in when Olivia limped over, slamming her hands on Sophia’s desk.

"You bitch! You ruined my shoes!"

Sophia didn’t look up. "You’re loud. And your breath stinks."

Olivia recoiled. "What did you just say?"

"Was I unclear?" Sophia finally met her eyes. "You’re obnoxious, and you reek of insecurity."

The office fell silent.

Olivia’s face twisted. "You think Julian will protect you forever?"

Sophia smirked. "Didn’t you see? He already did."

Olivia gaped.

Around them, whispers erupted.

This quiet newcomer had claws—and she wasn’t afraid to use them.

Some sneered behind her back. One glance from Julian, and she’s already arrogant?

Does she even know who she’s dealing with?

But Sophia didn’t care.

She had survived worse.

And she wasn’t backing down anymore.