“Look at Sophia Reed, she’s completely falling apart.”

“I know, right? She had everything going for her once.”

“They say she and Mr. Blackwood grew up together. Childhood sweethearts and all that. Who would’ve guessed—”

“Hush! Not so loud! You never know who might be listening.” Their whispers sliced through the air, deepening Sophia’s shame.

Chloe Ramirez stood among the onlookers, having witnessed the entire scene unfold. She was utterly stunned by what had just happened.

Her coworkers had always insisted Sophia was Ethan’s fiancée, that a wedding was imminent. But the raw, public breakdown suggested otherwise.

Benjamin Clark turned to the secretary, signaling for her to assist Sophia.

“Please, Miss Reed,” the secretary said gently.

Sophia remained silent but allowed herself to be guided away from the executive floor.

The moment the elevator doors closed, the crowd slowly dispersed, returning to their workstations.

Chloe immediately grabbed her phone and dialed Isabella.

“Isabella! You won’t believe what just happened!” Her voice buzzed with excitement.

“What is it?” Isabella replied, sounding tired.

“Sophia was just sobbing outside Mr. Blackwood’s office. He never even came out! A secretary had to escort her away.” Chloe could hardly keep the thrill out of her voice. Silence lingered on the other end.

“What?” Isabella asked, disbelief clear in her tone.

“She was crying so hard her makeup was ruined. Mascara streaks everywhere. And everyone saw! Apparently, Mr. Blackwood refused to see her. He sent Benjamin to tell her to know her place.”

“Know her place?” Isabella repeated, unease creeping into her voice.

“Yes! Then everyone started talking about how they always thought Sophia was his fiancée. But now…” Chloe lowered her voice. “It seems Mr. Blackwood never actually considered her that way.”

Isabella’s grip on her phone tightened. She was at a loss for words.

“Isabella? Are you still there?” Chloe pressed. “Did you hear me?”

“I’m here,” Isabella said, forcing herself back to the moment.

Chloe chattered a bit longer before they ended the call.

Isabella set her phone down and stared out the window, feeling disoriented and confused.

Had Ethan truly treated Sophia that way?

This was the woman he once cherished and protected above all else.

How could he be so cold to her now?

Isabella couldn’t make sense of it.

What was going on in Ethan’s mind?

Questions swirled in her head, thick and persistent like a dense fog. She felt overwhelmed, struggling to catch her breath.

She closed her eyes and tried to calm herself.

Her office door opened suddenly, and Victoria Lee walked in.