Chapter 376

Alexander's grip tightened on the steering wheel.

His furrowed brow reflected in the rearview mirror.

The image of Sophia standing under flashing cameras haunted him.

Her slender fingers clutched the microphone, knuckles turning white.

"I am indeed pregnant." The words sliced through him like a dull blade.

He'd seen Sophia commanding boardrooms with effortless grace.

Watched her shine like a supermodel during Milan Fashion Week.

But never had he seen her so pale and cornered.

Alexander slammed the accelerator.

The black Maybach cut through the night like a blade.

Gabrielle's stiletto crushed the Versini Couture advertisement beneath her heel.

Sophia's flawless face smiled up from the torn flyer.

"Bitch!" Gabrielle shredded the paper between manicured nails.

Isabella handed her an iced americano.

"Relax. The entire internet's tearing her apart."

Gabrielle tapped her acrylic nails against the glass.

"Not enough." Her eyes narrowed. "I want her destroyed."

Her phone screen illuminated as she typed commands for the internet trolls.

"The Valdemars value reputation above all. Let's see how long the Patriarch tolerates this."

Isabella sipped her coffee.

A faint smirk played on her lips.

Sophia dominated the top three trending topics.

#SophiaLaurentPregnancyConfirmed

#ValdemarScandal

#EthanWinstonRejectionTruth

The comment section buzzed like a stirred hornet's nest.

"Who knew the ice queen was such a slut?"

"Poor Alexander, getting played like this."

"Rumor says she's sleeping with multiple sugar daddies..."

The few defenders drowned in the onslaught.

"What if it's Alexander's child?"

The reply came instantly.

"Delusional. Since when would a Valdemar stoop so low?"

Ethan's fountain pen bled ink across the contract.

His assistant's video showed no visible baby bump yet.

But the laughter usually sparkling in Sophia's eyes had been replaced by exhaustion.

He stood abruptly.

His suit jacket knocked over the coffee cup.

Dark liquid spread across the mahogany floor.

Just like that drunken night.

Fragmented memories surfaced.

Sophia's flushed cheeks.

Tangled sheets.

And... her choked sobs muffled against the pillow.

Ethan grabbed his keys and stormed out.

The elevator mirrors reflected his ashen face.