Chapter Twenty-Six: The Savior

Ethan's POV

Ethan stared at Sophia the moment he stepped out of the boardroom.

She stood a few feet away, clutching his laptop with both hands. Her hair was tied into a simple ponytail, and she wore the same oversized sweater and slippers she had been wearing that morning. His brows drew together.

"You shouldn't have dressed like this."

Sophia blinked. "What?"

Ethan walked toward her, his gaze moving over her outfit once more.

"Your slippers... your sweater." He frowned. "What about the clothes I bought for you? Why didn't you wear them?"

She looked down at herself before lifting her eyes to his.

"So..." Her voice became quieter. "Are you looking down on me?"

The question caught him off guard.

"No." He answered almost immediately, his tone losing its usual coldness. "No, Sophia." He rubbed the back of his neck before speaking again. "I didn't mean it that way."

She remained silent.

"I only meant..." he paused, searching for the right words. "People know who you are now. Reporters are everywhere around this building. If they take pictures of you dressed like this, they'll have something new to write."

Sophia looked at him for a long moment. "So... you weren't embarrassed by me?"

Ethan shook his head. "No." His voice softened. "I was worried about you."

Sophia's tense shoulders relaxed slightly.

"I came in a hurry," she admitted. "When I saw your laptop on the kitchen counter, I thought you might need it."

For a brief moment, neither of them spoke. Then another voice interrupted them.

"I knew I'd find the two of you here."

Both of them turned.

"Dante," Sophia greeted with a smile. "Good afternoon."

Dante grinned. "Good afternoon, Mrs. Blackwell."

Sophia immediately shook her head. "I'm not Mrs. Blackwell."

"Not yet," Dante teased.

Her cheeks warmed. Dante laughed before taking the laptop from her hands.

"You know..." He looked at Ethan. "You owe this woman a thank-you."

Ethan folded his arms. "I know."

"No."

Dante pointed the laptop toward him dramatically.

"You don't."

He turned back to Sophia. "You have no idea what you've done today."

She frowned. "I only brought him his laptop."

"Only?" Dante laughed. "You practically saved today's board meeting."

Sophia smiled awkwardly. "I don't think it was that serious."

"It was."

He nodded dramatically.

"Without this laptop, Ethan would've had a much harder time convincing the board."

He placed a hand over his chest. "From today onward..." He pointed at Sophia with a grin. "I officially declare you the Savior of Blackwell Corporation."

Sophia laughed despite herself. "I don't deserve such a title."

"You absolutely do."

Even Ethan found the corner of his mouth lifting slightly. Just then Dante's phone vibrated. He glanced at the screen.

"My lawyer." He sighed. "I have to take this."

He looked between them with a mischievous smile.

"Try not to argue while I'm gone."

Without waiting for a reply, he answered the call and walked away, disappearing around the corridor. Silence settled between Ethan and Sophia once again.

Only a few seconds passed before two familiar figures approached from the opposite end of the hallway.

His father. And Penelope. His father's expression was calm as always.

"Ethan."

He stopped before them.

"You handled today's meeting well."

Ethan said nothing. His father continued.

"I've watched you build this company for years." Another pause. "Today reminded everyone why you're the CEO." Still…

Ethan remained silent. Penelope stepped forward gracefully, her smile flawless. Her eyes settled on Sophia. "So..." She looked Sophia up and down. "Is this your fiancée?"

Ethan didn't answer. Instead, his hand moved around Sophia's waist, pulling her gently closer to him.

Sophia stiffened slightly but remained where she was. Penelope waited.

"So?" She smiled. "Answer your mother."

For the first time since they arrived, Ethan smiled.bIt wasn't a warm smile. It was cold. Almost empty.

"My mother..." His voice was steady. "...is long dead."

The smile on Penelope's face disappeared. Without another glance in her direction, Ethan looked down at Sophia.

"Babe." His hand remained firmly around her waist. "Let's go."

Together, they walked away, leaving Penelope and his father standing silently in the corridor.