Chapter 68
“You have no idea how much you inspired me to enter the world of perfumery,” Sophia whispered, her voice trembling. “All I ever wanted was to be someone you could rely on.”
Tears streamed down her cheeks as she gazed at Ethan, her fingers nervously twisting the fabric of her dress. He could have avoided the humiliation—had it not been for Dominic Sterling, the president of the Everett Group, stepping in and stripping him of his eligibility, nullifying the contest results.
Now, Ethan Blackwood had not only lost the chance to collaborate but had been publicly shamed in front of the media.
The ride back had been silent, Ethan lost in thought, his demeanor colder than ever toward her. Determined to make amends, Sophia had mustered the courage to apologize.
“For years, I searched for the secrets of the Scarlet Snake perfume. I endured countless trials to recreate it,” she confessed, her voice thick with emotion. “If only I had known that Isabella—the woman who stood by your side for three years—was Scarlet Snake herself, I wouldn’t have wasted so much time.”
Ethan’s stern expression softened as he watched her, the sight of her tear-streaked face tugging at his heart.
“Enough with the tears,” he murmured, gently wiping them away with his thumb.
But beneath her fragile exterior, frustration simmered. Something didn’t make sense.
“Isabella fooled everyone, even me. How can I blame her? She kept her identity hidden for three whole years.”
The realization of how formidable Isabella truly was unsettled him. What gnawed at him most was how distant she had become. Once, she had cooked for him, cared for him—now, she treated him like a stranger.
And the worst part? Even after their divorce, his thoughts kept circling back to her.
“No matter how famous she is, your kindness surpasses hers,” Ethan said, pulling Sophia into an embrace, though it felt more like he was comforting himself.
Just then, his gaze caught movement near the entrance.
Isabella.
Dressed in a sleek silver gown, draped with an elegant black coat to ward off the evening chill, she exuded an air of effortless grace—mysterious, untouchable, and utterly indifferent to their presence.
Ethan’s expression darkened.
“Stop!”
At his command, Isabella and Olivia paused, turning with matching expressions of disdain.
“What now?” Isabella arched a brow, her tone laced with mockery. “Do you need an audience for your little display? Or are we supposed to applaud?”
Olivia scoffed, her eyes flicking over them with open contempt.
“Isabella’s right. Must you flaunt your affection in public? Even animals have more discretion.”
Ethan’s jaw clenched at the insult.
“Miss Montgomery,” he bit out, “as a member of the Montgomery family, you should know better than to side against your business partners. The Blackwoods may not rival your family’s influence, but we’ve collaborated on multiple projects.”
Not only had he lost his chance today, but the media had captured every second of his humiliation. The cost of silencing them weighed heavily on his mind.
His voice hardened. “I don’t know how Isabella manipulated you, but as a business partner, you should at least show some respect.”
Olivia let out a sharp laugh.
“Ah, yes. Our collaboration.” She smirked, pulling out her phone. “Thank you for reminding me. I’ll inform my father immediately—the Montgomery Group has no interest in working with a sinking ship like yours. Too much risk.”
Ethan’s blood ran cold. He had only mentioned their partnership to regain some footing, but now he was losing another deal.
Sophia gasped. “Miss Montgomery, this is personal! Dragging business into it is petty.”
“Petty?” Olivia tilted her head, her smile razor-sharp. “Unlike you, we value integrity over profit. And frankly, our family doesn’t need the money.”
Isabella nodded lazily. “This restaurant really should reconsider its clientele. Standards are slipping.”
Ethan could only stare, speechless.
