CHAPTER 73: CHAPTER 73 YOU AND MR. BLACKWOOD ARE CLOSE?

Sophie’s POV

I stare at the disappearing luxury car until it completely vanishes into the night.

Only then do I let my carefully maintained fragile expression completely collapse. Rage burns from my chest all the way to my throat, and I almost want to scream.

"Damn it!"

I furiously pull out my phone and dial Ivy’s number. The moment the call connects, I can’t help but explode.

"Didn’t you say Ryan cared about me? That’s not what’s happening at all! Who the hell is this Serena, and she’s pregnant with his child?"

I grit my teeth, my nails digging deep into my palm.

This isn’t the reunion scenario I imagined. I should be the princess welcomed back by Ryan, not some unwanted extra dumped at a hotel entrance.

Ivy sounds obviously guilty on the other end, her voice suspiciously soft.

"Sophie, don’t be angry. Ryan really has missed you—he even visits your grave every year. You just need to try a little harder, and you’ll definitely make him fall in love with you again."

She’s always like this—making empty promises and telling lies, as long as she can manipulate me into doing what she wants.

"Listen, this hotel is absolutely terrible," Ivy complains, her voice suddenly urgent. "It’s so noisy, I don’t want to stay here anymore. What kind of place did Ryan arrange for you? Come get me quickly, I’ve had enough of this environment."

I let out a cold laugh. Of course, she always wants a piece of the pie. Even when I’ve just experienced this kind of setback, all she cares about is whether she can hitch a ride.

"Fine, I’ll contact you after I get settled."

I hang up directly, not wanting to hear her prattle on. I stare at this irritatingly ordinary business hotel, feeling deeply insulted. Me, Sophie Hart, once his most beloved woman, only deserves this kind of treatment?

I force myself to call Ryan. His voice is cold as he simply says Simon will arrange an apartment for me tomorrow. After hanging up, I feel tears welling up but stubbornly force them back. I can’t break down here, can’t let anyone see my vulnerability.

The next day, Simon comes to pick me up. When he drives me to my destination, I can hardly believe my eyes.

"What kind of place is this?" I stand in front of an apartment building so plain it’s depressing, with fury nearly bursting from my chest.

The building is incredibly basic, located in some ordinary neighborhood on the edge of the city, far from downtown, far from anywhere with any taste.

This is what Ryan prepared for me?

"This is the accommodation Mr. Blackwood arranged for you," Simon says calmly, not even bothering to look up.

"It’s very close to the Blackwood subsidiary where you’ll be working, about ten minutes walking distance."

"Walking?" I can’t believe my ears, my voice uncontrollably rising. "What did you say?"

I, Sophie Hart, never walk to work! That’s what common people do. I should be sitting in the back of a luxury car, being driven to the main company entrance, walking on gleaming marble floors.

"I think you’ve made a mistake," I force myself to calm down, raising my chin. "Ryan and I have a special relationship. How could he possibly make me live in a place like this? Blackwood headquarters is downtown, and that’s where I should be working."

Simon finally looks up at me, but his eyes are cold as ice.

"Ms. Hart, these are indeed Mr. Blackwood’s instructions. He specifically emphasized that this is best for both him and you—after all, friends should maintain an appropriate distance."

Friends? The word stabs into my heart like a knife. Ryan and I are just friends? After our shared past, after all our promises?

"He used the word ’friends’?" I ask through clenched teeth, my voice almost hoarse.

Simon nods, his expression infuriatingly calm. "Yes. Tomorrow you can report directly to the subsidiary. The HR department has been notified. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going now."

He doesn’t even wait for my response before turning to leave. I stand on the unfamiliar street, dragging my suitcase, feeling humiliated like never before.

My phone rings—it’s Ivy. I really don’t want to answer, but finally press the accept button.

"Sophie!" she calls excitedly. "Where are you now? What place did Ryan arrange for you? It must be a mansion, right?"

Looking at the suffocatingly ordinary apartment building in front of me, I suddenly don’t want her to know the truth. She would definitely gloat, as is her style.

"Don’t come over yet," I say coldly. "Ryan has other arrangements."

"What?" She almost screams. "Don’t tell me you’ve already moved into the Blackwood family mansion?"

I grip my phone tightly, almost hearing the jealousy in her voice.

"It’s not what you think. Don’t ask now, I’ll contact you later."

After hanging up, I take a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down. This is only temporary, I tell myself. Ryan couldn’t possibly just give up our past like this. It must be that pregnant woman’s doing. She’s trapped him with the baby in her belly, but how long can such a trick last?

As long as I’m still in this city, there’s a chance to win Ryan’s heart back.

The next morning, I spend two hours meticulously grooming myself. Even though I’m just going to work at some insignificant subsidiary, I know how important first impressions are. I put on a classic Chanel suit paired with a limited edition LV handbag. The woman in the mirror is flawless, exuding class—exactly the image I need to project.

The HR department sends a minor clerk to receive me and show me around. This place is downright pitiful—old office furniture, dated decor, and air saturated with the stale smell of cheap coffee.

What’s even more infuriating is the position they’ve assigned me—neither high nor low, with no real power and no challenges. Clearly a cushy job created for someone with connections.

"This is your workstation," the clerk points to an incredibly ordinary desk. "Someone will come by shortly to hand over your duties."

As he prepares to leave, I immediately grab his arm. I need to quickly establish my influence here, need everyone to know about my special relationship with Ryan.

"Wait," I flash the sweet smile I’ve practiced countless times. "Since it’s my first day, I’d like to treat everyone to a meal to build relationships. Are there any good restaurants nearby?"

The man widens his eyes in surprise: "Treat everyone? There are over a hundred people in this company."

I don’t care about this small expense. Any investment is worth it if it helps me get closer to Ryan.

"That’s fine," I wave dismissively, as if discussing an insignificant sum. "I haven’t worked for a while, and Ryan said I should handle interpersonal relationships well. It’s a good chance to make friends."

I deliberately use Ryan’s name without any title, implying our intimate relationship. Sure enough, the man’s expression immediately changes.

"You and Mr. Blackwood are close?" he asks cautiously, his eyes sparkling with gossip.

This is exactly the reaction I want.

"That’s our little secret," I playfully wink and lower my voice. "Ryan wants me to come to the subsidiary to see how things are going, and to train myself a bit. You understand."

His eyes instantly light up, barely concealing his excitement.

I know my words will spread through the company like wildfire,possibly even reaching headquarters.

But that’s exactly what I want—to let Ryan know that Sophie Hart isn’t so easily dismissed. I will find a way back to his side, whatever it takes.

That pregnant woman thinks she’s won? How naive. The game has just begun.