Chapter 162

Sophie’s POV
In the New York.
I’ve spent days without seeing Ryan.
Sure, his schedule was always some big mystery, but I’ve been to the executive floor twice now without even catching a whisper about where he might be. Something’s definitely off.
Standing in the break room, sipping coffee with a scowl on my face, I overheard two colleagues gossiping nearby. My fingers tightened around the mug as I tried to look casual while eavesdropping.
“Have you seen that news story? The face is blurred but that’s definitely Mr. Blackwood standing there.”
“Yeah, I saw it before they took it down. Good thing I saved the photo or I wouldn’t have proof now.”
My eyebrow arched instinctively. Blurred face? Mr. Blackwood? My pulse quickened immediately.
“What are you ladies talking about?” I asked, slipping into their conversation with my sweetest smile.
Break rooms have always been gossip goldmines, and while I normally wouldn’t lower myself to chatting up these entry-level nobodies, I needed allies now that Ryan wasn’t watching my back anymore.
“Oh, Sophie! We’re just talking about Mr. Blackwood. Aren’t you two pretty close? Look at this—is this him in the photo?”
She handed me her phone. The image showed Serena Quinn, perfectly recognizable, standing next to a tall man in a suit.
Even with his face blurred, I instantly recognized Ryan’s posture, his build, the way he stood slightly forward as if ready to protect her. My stomach twisted into knots.
My face froze but I maintained my smile, though it felt brittle enough to crack. “Where did you find this?”
“Haven’t you seen it? Mr. Blackwood’s been in San Francisco with Miss Quinn for her design competition. They’re practically inseparable—it’s been all over social media. Most of the juicier gossip got taken down already.”
I forced a laugh that sounded hollow even to my own ears. “Really? I hadn’t noticed.”
“Isn’t Mr. Blackwood at the office these days?” I asked casually, while my nails dug crescents into my palm.
They shook their heads. “How would we know what the boss does?”
“Right, silly me. I should get back to work,” I said, excusing myself quickly before my mask slipped completely.
The moment I turned away, my fake smile vanished. So Ryan wasn’t being mysterious—he wasn’t even in New York!
He was hiding from me like I was some kind of criminal. Unbelievable! After everything we’d been through, after all I’d sacrificed for him!
Back at my desk, I immediately pulled out my phone and searched online, hands trembling with rage. Most articles had been deleted, but I found enough scraps:
[Mr. Blackwood and Lazuli make such a power couple! Perfect match!]
[He put aside all his Blackwood responsibilities just to accompany her to a design competition. That’s true love!]
[I’m shipping this couple so hard!]
“Serena Quinn, you again!” I hissed, squeezing my phone until my knuckles turned white. God, I wanted to smash something. Preferably her face.
I couldn’t wait any longer. I needed those files on the suburban project from ten years ago. With Lucian West’s support, I could turn everything around.
Then I’d make that bitch Serena pay! She’d regret the day she ever crossed paths with Ryan Blackwood.
Within the hour, I arrived at Kane’s private mansion, the security guards eyeing me suspiciously before letting me through.
The housekeeper made me wait in the living room, leaving me alone with my thoughts. The place reeked of old money and fading power.
After sitting on that cold sofa for what felt like forever, I was losing patience. What game was Kane playing? Inviting me in only to make me wait?
I checked my watch three times, my foot tapping against the marble floor.
Just as I was considering leaving, I heard movement upstairs. Finally.
Kane appeared in his wheelchair, looking tired like he’d just woken from a nap. His hair was disheveled, but there was still something dangerous in his eyes.
I immediately plastered on a smile. “Mr. Blackwood, it’s been a while. I hope I’m not disturbing you?”
He gave me a disinterested glance and signaled to his assistant, who promptly brought out a bottle of wine with two glasses. The liquid glowed amber in the afternoon light.
After taking a sip, Kane seemed to come alive a bit more. “You’re here for the suburban project files, aren’t you?”
My eyes brightened instantly. “Yes! Have you found them?”
“I have,” he said flatly. “But why should I give them to you?”
My smile faltered. I repeated my previous reasoning: “I want to help you, of course. Taking down Ryan is our shared goal, isn’t it?”
“Is it?” Kane raised an eyebrow, sneering. “You want to take him down? Isn’t he the man you love? What good would destroying him do for you?”
I snorted, my expression darkening. My mask of pleasantness slipped away. “I love him, but he loves that Serena. If he loses everything, maybe he’ll finally see who’s truly meant to stand by his side.”
“If he can’t see me when he’s on top, then I’ll make sure he falls,” I added, my voice venomous. “Sometimes you need to burn everything down to build something better.”
Kane actually laughed. “That’s quite the interesting logic. Sophie, you’re just as vicious as you’ve always been.”
I smiled coldly. I didn’t take it as an insult. “Mr. Blackwood, we’re cut from the same cloth, you and I. That’s why working together makes the most sense.”
Kane ran his finger around the rim of his glass, the silence stretching between us. Just when I thought he was about to agree, he suddenly hurled the glass against the wall.
The shattering sound made me jump, my heart slamming against my ribs. Tiny fragments of crystal scattered across the polished floor.
Kane grinned at me, his eyes suddenly ice-cold. “Sophie, you’ve got some nerve, using me to do someone else’s dirty work!”
“Do you think I’m so weakened that you can manipulate me without consequences?” His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper.
My eyes widened in shock. My connection with Lucian had been incredibly discreet. How could Kane know?
I’d underestimated Kane Blackwood, and that might have been my biggest mistake yet.