Sophia left Blackwood Manor with her head held high, but the moment the heavy front doors closed behind her, a shiver ran through her. Seeing Ethan, and hearing his voice, had stirred memories she had long buried—memories of a time when she had been young, naive, and unprepared for the cruelty of the world.
Sophia's heels clicked against the cobblestones as she made her way to her car, parked at the edge of the circular driveway. She could feel Ethan's eyes on her, watching from one of the manor's tall windows, but she didn't look back. There was no point in giving him the satisfaction of seeing any sign of doubt or hesitation.
She had done what she needed to do, and now it was time to regroup, to prepare for the next phase of her plan.
The engine roared to life with a turn of the key, and Sophia steered the car down the long driveway, the towering trees on either side casting long shadows in the fading light.
The merger was just the beginning—an entry point into Ethan's world. She had carefully positioned herself within the corporate landscape, ensuring that her involvement in the deal would grant her access to the Blackwood empire's inner workings. It was a strategic move, one that would allow her to dismantle everything Ethan held dear, piece by piece.
But as much as she tried to focus on her plan, the memory of Ethan's words lingered in her mind.
"Be careful," he had said. "This path you're on—it's dangerous."
His voice, filled with a mix of warning and something else she couldn't quite place, echoed in her thoughts. Sophia frowned, tightening her grip on the steering wheel. She didn't need his concern, didn't need his advice. She had been on this path for a long time, and she knew exactly where it led.
Sophia drove in silence, the city lights gradually coming into view as she approached the outskirts of town. She had rebuilt her life from the ashes of her family's downfall, climbing the corporate ladder with ruthless determination. She had forged herself into a weapon, sharp and unyielding, and she wouldn't let anyone—especially not Ethan Blackwood—derail her.
By the time she reached her apartment, the sky had darkened, the city illuminated by the glow of streetlights and neon signs.
Sophia dropped her bag on the kitchen counter and poured herself a glass of wine, needing something to steady her nerves. As she sipped the deep red liquid, she wandered to the windows, gazing out at the sprawling cityscape.
She wondered if he had truly recognized her if he had seen through the mask she wore. They had been different people back then, two young adults whose lives had been irrevocably altered by the actions of others.
Ethan had been a pawn in his stepmother's schemes, but that didn't absolve him of his complicity. He had stood by as her family was destroyed, as her sister's life was shattered. And for that, he would pay.
But as much as she hated him, as much as she blamed him for what had happened, there was something about Ethan that made her hesitate. The guilt in his eyes, the regret in his voice—it wasn't what she had expected.
She had prepared herself to face a cold, unfeeling man, someone who had moved on without a second thought. But the Ethan she had met tonight was different. He was burdened by something, haunted by the same past that had driven her to seek revenge.
Sophia took another sip of wine, her thoughts drifting back to her sister, Lily. She hadn't seen Lily in weeks, their lives too busy, too complicated for regular visits. But the thought of her sweet, fragile sister filled Sophia with a renewed sense of purpose.
Lily had been the true victim, the one who had suffered the most. Sophia had promised herself she would protect her, that she would make things right, no matter what it took.
Setting her glass down, Sophia pulled out her phone and dialed a familiar number. The line rang a few times before a soft, sleepy voice answered.
"Sophia?" Lily's voice was warm, comforting, even though it was tinged with the grogginess of someone who had been woken up from a deep sleep.
"Hey, Lily. I'm sorry, did I wake you?" Sophia asked, a pang of guilt stabbing through her. She hadn't meant to disturb her sister so late at night.
"It's okay," Lily replied, her voice perking up slightly. "I was just dozing off. Is everything alright?"
Sophia hesitated, unsure of how much she wanted to share. She had always tried to shield Lily from the darker aspects of her life, from the plans she had been putting into motion. But she also knew that Lily had a right to know, that she couldn't keep everything hidden forever.
"I went to see Ethan Blackwood today," Sophia said finally, her voice steady despite the tumult of emotions swirling inside her.
There was a brief silence on the other end of the line, and Sophia could almost hear Lily's breath hitch in surprise. "Ethan Blackwood?" Lily echoed, her tone cautious. "Why would you—"
"It's about the merger," Sophia interjected, trying to keep her voice calm and reassuring. "It's just business, Lily. Nothing more."
"But Sophia… are you sure this is a good idea?" Lily's voice was laced with concern, the worry she had always carried for her older sister evident in every word. "I don't want you to get hurt."
Sophia closed her eyes, leaning her forehead against the cool glass of the window. "I won't, Lily," she promised softly. "I know what I'm doing."
There was another pause, and when Lily spoke again, her voice was quieter, more tentative. "I trust you, Sophia. I always have. But please… just be careful."
"I will," Sophia said, a lump forming in her throat. "I promise."
They exchanged a few more words, the conversation shifting to lighter topics—Lily's new job at the art gallery, the latest book she was reading—before they said their goodbyes.
As Sophia hung up, she felt a renewed sense of determination. This wasn't just about her anymore. It was about Lily, about their family, and the justice they both deserved.
When she woke the next morning, the sun streaming through the windows. Today would be the start of the next phase of her plan. She would attend the merger meetings, play the role of the sharp, ambitious corporate strategist, and slowly, methodically, begin to unravel Ethan's empire from within.
As she dressed for the day, choosing a sleek black suit that exuded power and confidence, Sophia's mind was already working, calculating her next move. She would be careful, just as Ethan had warned. But she wouldn't hesitate to strike when the time was right.
Sophia moved through her morning routine with the efficiency of someone who had spent years perfecting every detail.
As she stood in front of the mirror, she took a moment to assess her reflection. The woman staring back at her was polished, composed, and completely in control. Her hair was pulled back into a sleek chignon, her makeup flawless and understated.
The black suit she had chosen was tailored to perfection, emphasizing her slender figure while exuding authority. She looked every bit the part of a powerful corporate strategist, someone who was not to be underestimated.
Satisfied, she turned away from the mirror and grabbed her leather briefcase from the chair by the door. Inside, her laptop and documents were neatly organized, ready for the day's meetings.
As she made her way to the elevator, her thoughts turned to the day ahead. The merger talks were scheduled to take place at Blackwood Enterprises' headquarters, a towering glass-and-steel structure that dominated the skyline.
It was a building she had avoided for years, a symbol of everything she despised about the Blackwoods and their empire. But today, she would walk through its doors with her head held high, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, and Sophia stepped inside, pressing the button for the underground garage.
The elevator came to a stop, and Sophia stepped out into the dimly lit garage.
The drive to Blackwood Enterprises was a short one, but it felt longer than usual as her thoughts swirled around the upcoming meeting. She knew Ethan would be there, along with Oliver Hale and the other key executives. It would be her first time facing them all since she had set her plan in motion, and she needed to be prepared for anything.
As she stepped out of the car, she took a deep breath, steeling herself for what was to come. The scent of oil and concrete filled her nostrils, grounding her as she made her way to the elevator.
"Good morning, Ms. Grey. The boardroom is ready for your meeting," the receptionist said, gesturing toward a set of double doors at the end of the hallway.
"Thank you," Sophia replied, her voice calm and professional as she made her way down the hall. Each step echoed in the quiet corridor, a reminder of the power and influence that permeated every inch of this building.
The doors to the boardroom were already open when she arrived, revealing a large, elegant space dominated by a long conference table. At one end of the room, floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view of the city below, but Sophia's attention was focused on the people seated around the table.
Ethan Blackwood was at the head of the table, his presence commanding even in the midst of a room full of powerful men and women. His gaze met hers as she entered, and for a brief moment, the rest of the world seemed to fade away. There was something in his eyes—something unreadable, yet intense—that sent a shiver down her spine.
"Sophia, welcome," Ethan said, his voice smooth and controlled. He gestured to an empty chair near him. "Please, have a seat. We were just about to begin."
Sophia nodded, keeping her expression neutral as she moved to take her seat. As she sat down, she could feel the weight of the eyes on her—the executives, the lawyers, even Oliver Hale, who was watching her with his trademark charming smile.
"Thank you," she said, her tone as professional as his. She placed her briefcase on the table and began to remove her materials, all the while aware of the scrutiny she was under. Every move she made, every word she spoke, would be analyzed, judged. But that was exactly how she liked it. Control, after all, was something she had mastered.
The meeting began with the usual pleasantries—introductions, updates on the merger's progress, and a review of the day's agenda. Sophia participated in the discussion, her voice steady and confident as she outlined her team's findings and proposals. She could feel Ethan's gaze on her throughout, but she refused to let it distract her.
As the conversation turned to more detailed negotiations, Sophia leaned forward slightly, her attention focused on the documents spread out before her. She knew the numbers, the projections, the legal implications inside and out. But as she spoke, her mind kept returning to Ethan's words from the night before: "This path you're on—it's dangerous."