Sophia suppressed the panic rising in her chest.

She hurried over to him, slipping her arm around his.

“Your phone fell on the floor earlier. I just picked it up for you.”

Today, Victoria had invited them over for dinner.

It had taken all of Sophia’s effort to convince Ethan to agree.

Earlier, Victoria had pulled Ethan upstairs to talk, leaving his phone downstairs.

That was how Sophia received Isabella’s call.

Ethan said nothing.

He merely gave her a brief, unreadable glance.

Then he picked up his phone and walked out.

Sophia felt a wave of relief.

Yet a lingering sense of unease remained.

“Ethan, dinner is ready. Why don’t you stay and have dinner with your mother before you go?” She took a few steps after him.

But Ethan didn’t stop.

He didn’t even look back.

He left without a word.

Sophia stood frozen in place.

The smile on her face slowly faded.

Her hands balled into fists.

Her nails dug into her palms.

It was fine, she reassured herself.

Once Isabella was completely out of the picture, Ethan would eventually be hers.

Isabella must be frantic now, like a cat on a hot tin roof.

The thought brought a cold smile to Sophia’s lips once more.

She would make sure Isabella understood—Isabella could never win against her.

A sharp sound of porcelain shattering came from upstairs.

It pierced through the air.

Sophia’s heart skipped a beat.

A sense of foreboding washed over her.

She hurried upstairs.

She gently pushed open the slightly ajar door.

Inside, Victoria sat by the bed, her face ashen.

Sophia approached cautiously.

Her voice filled with concern. “Victoria, are you alright? What happened?”

Victoria suddenly looked up.

Her eyes were red with anger. “Ethan’s defying me again, all for that wretched woman!”

Victoria’s well-maintained face was now twisted with pain and fury.

Sophia’s heart leapt with joy.

But she put on a worried face.

She gently held Victoria’s shoulders and softly comforted her. “Please don’t be upset. It’s not worth it to harm your health over this. Ethan must have been momentarily blinded—”

“Blinded? He’s completely bewitched by that woman!” Victoria shook Sophia’s hands away, her tone sharp.

Sophia lowered her gaze.

She gently patted Victoria’s back.

“Please calm down. Maybe Ethan is just acting on impulse. Once he cools down, he’ll understand your good intentions.”

She paused for a moment.

Then she added, “You’re the closest person to him after all.”

Victoria’s anger gradually subsided.

She reached out and took Sophia’s hands. “Sophia, you’re so understanding, unlike that cursed woman, Isabella, who’s always trying to drive a wedge between me and my son!”

Ethan strode out of the villa with a determined pace.

Benjamin, who had been lingering by the door, quickly followed.

He opened his mouth to speak several times.

Each attempt faltered before words could form.

Finally, gathering his courage, he managed to break the silence. “Mr. Blackwood…”

Ethan paused.

He turned slightly, his intense gaze sharp with impatience. “Yes, what is it?”

Gathering himself, Benjamin continued.

“There’s been a report from the person watching Miss Scott. He reported… he reported that Liam is facing some complications.”

“What kind of complications?” Ethan’s voice was stern, demanding clarity.

Benjamin shifted uneasily.

His eyes darted away as he stuttered, “It’s… the donor, sir… They’ve decided to back out.”