Chapter 125

Sophia Laurent had once been abused by her adoptive parents and misunderstood by her biological family.

In her naivety, she believed Ethan Winston was the only person in the world who truly cared for her.

Back then, she was so desperate for love that she romanticized every little thing Ethan did as kindness.

On the other end of the call, Ethan's expression darkened instantly.

When Sophia received no response after a long pause, her voice turned icy. "If you have nothing else to say, Mr. Winston, I'm hanging up."

Ethan finally snapped out of his thoughts.

"Have you seen the posts online?"

Hearing his deliberately stern tone, Sophia frowned. "I have."

She forced her voice to sound indifferent. "And?"

"If you apologize to Gabrielle, I'll help clear your name."

Sophia couldn't believe her ears. "You want me to apologize to Gabrielle Winston?"

"For hitting her," Ethan said, his tone laced with authority. "Sophia, you weren't like this before."

In the past, she had always endured Gabrielle's bullying without complaint.

Because Gabrielle was his sister.

The Winstons had spoiled their daughter rotten since childhood—even Ethan couldn't control her.

Sophia let out a bitter laugh. "That's because I was stupid back then."

Her voice was firm. "I won't apologize. She doesn't deserve it."

That slap wasn't just for Gabrielle insulting her unborn child.

It was for all the years of humiliation Gabrielle had put her through.

Gabrielle had branded her a seductress who lured her brother away, targeting her at every turn and publicly shaming her.

Sophia had swallowed her pride for Ethan's sake.

And in return, Gabrielle only grew bolder.

She was nothing but a spoiled heiress with a fragile ego.

Ethan's voice sharpened with urgency. "Sophia, do you really want to cut ties with the Winstons?"

This time, Gabrielle hadn't just cried to him—she'd dragged their parents into it.

They'd vowed to teach Sophia a lesson themselves.

The thought alone gave Ethan a headache.

"Sophia, be reasonable. I'm doing this for your own good."

Sophia almost laughed at the absurdity.

After a long silence, she spoke slowly. "Ethan, are you out of your mind?"

Her words were deliberate. "Or do you just not understand human language?"

Ethan was rendered speechless.

His frustration boiled over. "Sophia, you've changed! Do you really think I'd harm you?"

Sophia gave a soft, humorless chuckle. "Who knows?"

She paused, her voice glacial. "After all, we're nothing to each other now."

Even clearing her name came with the condition of her bowing her head in apology.

She must have been blind to ever love a man like him.