Chapter 471

Ethan Roscente's gaze was as sharp as a blade, piercing straight through Sophia Evans.

Sophia's fingers unconsciously twisted the hem of her dress.

"Ethan..." Her voice trembled. "Don't look at me like that."

She took a deep breath, forcing composure. "I know you're angry, but I'm only thinking of Theo. That online bullying will destroy our child."

Ethan let out a cold laugh. "You orchestrated this?"

"How could you think that?" Sophia's expression turned wounded. "I'm just a mother protecting her child."

She delicately wiped nonexistent tears from her eyes. "If you insist on being with Vivian Laurent, I'll take Theo away. Forever."

Ethan's knuckles cracked as his fists clenched.

"Get out!" He growled.

Sophia rose gracefully. "Theo can't live without me. If he sneaks out to find me again..."

She paused meaningfully. "Think carefully. A child's mental health can't be neglected."

With that, she turned and descended the stairs with elegant poise.

Ethan slammed his fist into the wall. Blood oozed from his split knuckles.

That venomous woman.

Now he understood why the princess had dealt with her so harshly.

Sophia didn't deserve to be a mother.

Theo's muffled sobs drifted upstairs.

"Uncle..." The child held up his phone with tear-filled eyes. "They all say I'm a bastard..."

Sophia gently stroked Theo's hair, her lips curling in victory.

"Uncle, can you be my daddy?" Theo looked up with hopeful eyes.

Ethan's chest constricted.

"Theo, remember this—I'll always be your uncle."

"Then am I really a fatherless child?" Theo cried harder. "They curse Mommy...say she's a bad woman..."

Sophia suddenly pulled the boy into her arms.

"It's alright, darling." Her voice quivered with false emotion. "Mommy will take you away from here. Even if we have to beg, I'll provide for you."

She lifted her chin, challenging Ethan. "If we can't survive, we'll die together."

A vein throbbed at Ethan's temple.

"Sophia Evans!" He spat her name through clenched teeth.

That woman deserved to burn in hell.