CHAPTER 164: THE WEAK SPOT

Sophia hadn’t even gone to them yet when Ethan showed up on his own. A smile hung on his face.

"Sophia, long time no see."

She raised a brow. The man who had followed Olivia abroad was now standing here again, supposedly glued to her side this whole time.

"What? It’s only been a little while. Don’t tell me you don’t recognize people anymore." Ethan asked when he saw Sophia looking at him with that strange little smile.

"How could I? You’re someone I’d never dare forget. So tell me—how exactly did you convince Olivia? I’m genuinely curious. She isn’t a complete idiot, so... what trick did you use?"

Olivia wasn’t stupid. Ethan had betrayed her before. Coming back now was obviously about Morgan Family’s assets.

Ethan smirked, pulled out a cigarette, lit it, inhaled deeply, then blew a smoke ring straight at her.

Lucas, who had been sitting quietly, shot him a cold look and was about to rise, but Sophia pressed him back down.

Before Ethan could fully enjoy his little performance—a full glass of water splashed across his face.

"Sophia, you—!"

She pointed at the nearby sign, smiling sweetly. "Public area. No smoking. Since you can’t read, I figured I’d help you out. No need to thank me."

Ethan’s jaw tightened.

"I don’t know what trick you used to fool Olivia, but she’s brainless. Andrew and Susan, however, aren’t."

Ethan scoffed. "You’re jealous, that’s all. I told you—everything belonging to the Morgan Family will be mine."

"You say you love Olivia. Do you love her, or her family fortune?"

"I’ve never loved her. Not once. Even if she goes wild in bed. Everything I want—everything I’ve ever wanted—is the Morgan Family estate. Women are all the same—pathetic and cheap."

"Oh? Really?"

Sophia’s smile brightened—too bright.

Suddenly, her eyes sharpened. She grabbed another glass of water.

She lifted her hand.

Boiling water poured down Ethan’s head.

"Ahhh!"

He stumbled back instantly. It was scalding.

"I could accuse you of insulting every woman on earth. Ethan, your arrogance is ridiculous. Don’t forget—there are countless people far more powerful than you. Do you seriously think that getting your hands on the Morgan Family, stacked with the Trump Family, means you can take on the world? You’re either delusional or you just enjoy underestimating me."

"Sophia, you’ve gone too far!"

"Didn’t you say you understood me? I enjoy going too far. And I have my man with me—he doesn’t mind helping me crush you."

Even if Ethan inherited Morgan Family, it wouldn’t mean much. The company was already a patched-up mess—what the public saw was only a thin layer of ice over a deep crack. And if Andrew really agreed to hand anything over, it would only be because he didn’t want it falling into Sophia’s hands.

Ethan had come to flaunt himself, but left with nothing—defeated and embarrassed.

"Sophia, I told you, Morgan Group won’t be so easy to take over," Lucas said.

"With patience comes certainty," she replied. "Ethan doesn’t have enough brains to be the mastermind. Someone is pulling his strings. Right now? Most likely his grandfather, Thomas."

She tapped her fingers lightly on her arm.

"But... he probably never expected that while the mantis stalks the cicada, the oriole is right behind~"

Sophia pulled out her phone, a smile spreading across her face.

Why fight to seize Morgan Family...when she could simply watch them destroy each other?

If Morgan Family collapsed, Andrew and the others would go insane.

And she wouldn’t even have to dirty her own hands.

"Come on," she said, rising. "Let’s go see Susan."

Susan had been locked up for a few days, yet her face was still arrogant, almost smug. Even when she saw them, there wasn’t a hint of fear.

"Spare me your crocodile tears. I’m already in jail—what more do you want?"

"I just have a question," Sophia said coolly. "You sent someone to take me out. Did it never occur to you that your little scheme might blow up in your face?"

Sophia stepped closer. Susan looked surprisingly well, perfectly put together, posture intact—still putting on airs.

"Heh. So you’re here to bait me into talking? Let me tell you something—you’re not getting a single word out of me. Not one syllable."

Susan scoffed, refusing to even look at her.

"Oh? Really? Because I heard Ethan and Olivia are getting married."

"That’s right. You really think you can get your hands on Morgan Group? You’re dreaming—delusional! Once they get married, nothing will ever belong to you!"

Susan clearly already knew. Ethan must have visited her.

"Sure. You’re right. I won’t get everything from the Morgan Family. But maybe think about Olivia for a second, hmm?"

"What do you mean?"

"Even if she didn’t directly lay a hand on me, she’s still a suspect. She’s not getting out anytime soon. Are you sure you want to let them get married like this? Or should I spell it out for you? Do you really think Ethan is some saint here to save your family—and not destroy it?"

"No matter what, he’s better than an ungrateful brat like you! I’m not stupid. I know what you’re doing. You’re just trying to make me object to the marriage."

Sophia smirked. "I never said that. I’m merely asking questions. If you don’t want to talk, I can’t force you. But you think everything you did was flawless—even though I know exactly who you begged for help. Jacob."

She finished, watching Susan’s reaction closely.

And just as expected, Susan froze for a split second.

"What is your relationship with him?"

"Heh."

A cold laugh. No answer.

"You don’t want to tell me? That’s fine. I have my own ways. Olivia doesn’t have enough evidence against her, so she’ll be released soon. And with you all stuck in here, I’m actually curious... what your little lamb will become without anyone left to protect her."

Susan only had one daughter—of course she was terrified.

"What are you planning?! I’m warning you—don’t you dare touch her!"

"Oh? Panicking already? Don’t rush—I wasn’t finished. Let’s make a deal. You tell me Jacob’s real background and what he is to you. As long as it’s the truth, I can guarantee you one thing: I won’t touch her."

Susan frowned.

This little brat was looking more and more like Aurora back in the day.

"How am I supposed to believe you?"

"Believe me or don’t—that’s entirely up to you. The decision is in your hands, not mine. But given your current situation, I’d say you don’t really have a choice."

Susan took a deep breath.

"Don’t think Ethan can protect her. Don’t forget—he’s nothing compared to me. If I wanted, I could crush him with one hand. Right now, I’m giving you a chance. You’d better treasure it."

Susan really had been fantasizing about Ethan protecting Olivia.

But Sophia shattered that delusion easily—Ethan couldn’t protect anyone.

"Jacob... is my godfather. I once saved his life."