Chapter 71

Sophia clenched her fists, her nails digging deep into her palms.

"What if I told you this money was mine? Would you believe me?" Her voice trembled.

Ethan Roscente's lips curled into a mocking smirk. "I know exactly what you're worth."

The words stabbed through her heart like a blade.

She swallowed the lump in her throat, straightening her spine. She wouldn't cry—tears would only make her humiliation worse.

A dull ache pulsed in her abdomen. She took a deep breath, forcing down the storm of emotions.

"If you've already decided I'm guilty, then there's nothing left to say."

"Or nothing left to lie about," he countered coldly.

Sophia turned to leave. His icy voice followed her: "Sophia, you were fired for leaking company secrets. This wasn't a resignation."

She paused mid-step, then pushed through the door without looking back.

Outside, colleagues watched with scornful smirks. She kept her expression blank as she returned to her desk and began packing.

Jessica hesitated nearby, but Sophia shook her head subtly.

When the last item was boxed, she lifted the container and walked toward the elevator, her back rigid with resolve.

As the elevator doors closed, Zachary Evans spoke up: "Sir, why didn't you tell Miss Lowell that the family discipline was meant for her? You took the punishment to protect—"

Ethan suddenly doubled over, sweat beading on his forehead.

"Mr. Roscente!"

Zachary caught him, only then noticing the dark stain spreading across the back of his suit jacket. Underneath, his white dress shirt was soaked with blood.

"She'll never know you shielded her from the family discipline," Zachary sighed, tending to the wound.

Ethan pressed his bloodless lips together. "What difference would it make?"

"At least—"

"That heartless woman," Ethan cut him off with a bitter laugh, "would only see it as another excuse to accuse me of harassing her."

The bandage bloomed crimson, mirroring the ruin of his heart.