Chapter 4

Ethan's POV

I was furious.

I locked myself in the study and smashed a set of antiques.

"Outrageous! Absolutely outrageous!"

I never imagined that Sophia, who used to be too timid to even raise her voice, would dare pour coffee on my face!

"Mr. Ford..."

My assistant knocked timidly and entered.

"About tomorrow night's charity gala... who should you bring as your plus-one?"

According to convention, for such formal occasions, I had to bring my wife to show marital harmony and stabilize stock prices.

I wiped the coffee stains from my hair with a dark expression.

"Bring what? Bring Isla!"

The assistant froze.

"But... the hosts specifically invited Mrs. Ford. I heard someone from the Lancaster Corporation will be there too. If we bring Miss James, won't that..."

Lancaster Corporation.

Hearing that name, I calmed down a bit.

Lancaster was investing a hundred-billion-dollar project in New York recently, and every major family wanted a piece. The Fords were no exception. I'd heard the mysterious Lancaster heiress would make an appearance.

At such a critical moment, I really couldn't afford any slip-ups.

"Tell Sophia," I said through gritted teeth.

"Tomorrow night, she'd better clean herself up and come with me to the gala. If she dares embarrass me, I won't let her off!"

"Also, tell her to apologize to Isla! Otherwise, she can forget about this month's allowance!"

The assistant wiped his cold sweat and retreated.

When I called, Sophia was applying medicine to her burned hand.

After listening, she gave a derisive laugh.

"I'll go to the gala."

Sophia said into the phone,

"As for apologizing, dream on."

Before I could lose my temper, she hung up.

I was so angry my chest hurt.

The next evening, New York's largest banquet hall.

Luxury cars everywhere, stars gleaming.

I wore a black custom suit, with Isla on my arm.

Isla wore a white strapless gown with a diamond necklace I'd just won at auction around her neck. She looked delicate and charming, her face full of smugness.

"Ethan, is she really not coming?"

Isla asked worriedly.

I snorted coldly.

"She doesn't know what's good for her. If she doesn't come, fine. Saves me the annoyance."

I'd brought Isla anyway.

If Sophia didn't show, I'd just say she wasn't feeling well.

If she did show... well, that would be her own inability to keep me.

Just then, the banquet hall doors slowly opened.

A spotlight swept over, and the entire hall fell silent.

"Who is that?"

"So beautiful! Is she some celebrity?"

"Oh my God, that's... Sophia?!"

At the end of the red carpet, a woman walked slowly forward.

She wore a deep blue haute couture gown like a starlit night sky, the hem encrusted with thousands of tiny diamonds that sparkled with each step. The fitted cut perfectly outlined her graceful waist, and her exposed shoulders and neck formed a swan-like curve.

Most shocking was her presence.

Gone was the timid, conservatively dressed Mrs. Ford.

Now, she held her chin high, lips a fiery red, gaze sweeping imperiously across the room, radiating a powerful aura.

I was stunned.

I nearly dropped my champagne.

This... this was Sophia?

That Sophia who used to hover around the kitchen reeking of cooking oil?

"Well, well, Mr. Ford."

Sophia walked straight up to me in ten-centimeter heels.

She glanced at Isla on my arm, a playful smile curving her lips.

"Parading around with your mistress-Mr. Ford's taste is as... unique as ever."

Low laughter rippled through the crowd.

My face turned ashen.

"Sophia, what do you think you're wearing?! Where'd you get the money for these clothes? Did you steal my card?"

After all, in my mind, Sophia was dirt poor.

Sophia raised an eyebrow, about to respond, when a commotion erupted behind her.

"Mr. Lancaster has arrived!"

The crowd automatically parted.

New York's wealthiest man, Lancaster Corporation CEO Mr. Lancaster, strode forward surrounded by bodyguards.

I immediately straightened my tie and approached with a smile.

"Mr. Lancaster, hello. I'm from Ford Corporation-"

But Mr. Lancaster didn't even glance at me.

He walked right past me.

My hand froze mid-air, embarrassment making my toes curl.

Mr. Lancaster stopped in front of Sophia. That stern face instantly softened into a warm, affectionate smile.

He reached out, carefully adjusting her gown, his tone so indulgent it was almost embarrassing.

"Sophia, my dear, does this dress fit? I picked it out for ages."

Total silence.

My brain exploded.

Her father?