Ethan sighed, rubbing his temples with his fingertips. “She’s been released on bail. Mrs. Blackwood arranged a position for her at the regional branch.”

He gave a brief nod of acknowledgment. “Contact Sophia. Tell her to meet me at Hawthorne Residence immediately.”

Benjamin paused for a moment before responding. “Understood, Mr. Blackwood.” He glanced discreetly at Ethan in the rearview mirror, noting the darkening expression on his face. Choosing to remain silent, he quickly dialed Sophia’s number.

Elsewhere, Sophia’s carefully constructed composure shattered at the sudden ring of her phone. It was Benjamin.

Her chest tightened as a wave of anxiety washed over her. She steadied herself and answered the call.

“Miss Reed, Mr. Blackwood requires your presence at Hawthorne Residence now,” Benjamin stated, his tone formal and detached.

Sophia’s grip on her phone tightened. The moment she had been dreading had arrived. She had known this wouldn’t be easily resolved. Facing her mirror, she adjusted her flawless makeup, deliberately reddening her eyes to appear more distraught and pitiable.

Hawthorne Residence was ablaze with light as Sophia hurried inside.

Ethan sat comfortably on a leather sofa, legs crossed, holding a glass of red wine. His cold, penetrating gaze created a palpable tension that Sophia felt immediately.

Tears welled in her eyes as she bit her lower lip.

“Ethan…” Her voice trembled. “I know… you think it was me.”

Before he could respond, she buried her face in her hands, her quiet sobs breaking the silence. “But I swear, I didn’t do it. I didn’t take the Rosalia Pink Diamond. I have no idea how it ended up in my possession…” Tears streamed down her face as she trembled slightly, projecting an image of utter vulnerability and despair.

Ethan watched her silently, his expression unreadable, his eyes giving nothing away. He gently set the wine glass on the table, the soft clink echoing in the still room.

“Sophia,” he said, his voice calm and measured. “There is nothing I value less than deceit.”

She looked up, her face wet with tears, her eyes filled with pain. “Ethan, how could you believe I would lie to you? My feelings for you run so deep.”

Her hand shook as she reached out to him, halting uncertainly mid-air. Ethan’s eyes dropped to her outstretched fingers, his face remaining stoic.

The room grew increasingly oppressive, the air thick with a mix of perfumes, including Sophia’s distinct scent. Ethan felt his thoughts swirling into chaos.

Recent events, particularly those involving the pink diamond, had forced him to question her. He despised the idea of being deceived, yet his reluctance to distrust her gnawed at him even more. He wanted to trust Sophia.

However, the image of Isabella’s delicate, pale face kept intruding on his thoughts, causing a persistent throb in his head.

Eventually, Sophia’s crying began to subside. Ethan stood and approached her, looking down at her. “I hope you are being truthful.”

Trying to steady herself, Sophia insisted, “I swear, I truly did not take that diamond!”