Chapter 6

Sophia's POV

Just before dawn, the master bedroom door was gently pushed open.

Ethan returned to the bedside silently like a ghost.

He softly called my name once. After confirming I was still asleep, he lifted the covers and lay down.

I had my back to him. In the faint light of dawn seeping through the curtains, I opened my eyes.

In the days that followed, a bizarre calm settled over the villa.

Lydia, under the pretense of caring for the injured, had practically become half the lady of the house.

In the mornings, she'd wear silk robes while making coffee for Ethan, her fingertips "accidentally" brushing his hand.

In the afternoon garden, she'd stand on tiptoe to straighten Ethan's collar, her lips nearly touching his chin.

Every time, I carefully took note but continued pretending not to know, as if I'd seen nothing.

"Next week is Grandfather's seventy-fifth birthday."

That evening at dinner, Ethan cut his steak and said casually,

"We're celebrating at the estate this year. We'll need to stay overnight."

Lydia's knife and fork paused in mid-air.

"Got it."

I scooped up a spoonful of soup and agreed.

On the birthday, the Quinn estate was filled with guests. Nearly every prominent figure in the city attended.

Ethan held my hand, playing the loving couple in front of others.

Lydia wore an elegant moonlight-white dress, sitting quietly in a corner. Occasionally when her gaze met Ethan's, tender affection that only they understood flowed between them.

When the banquet ended and guests dispersed, it was already evening.

I'd been standing in high heels all day. My calves ached terribly.

I was about to go upstairs to rest when a young maid hurried over carrying a fruit plate.

The maid's face was pale as she pleaded,

"I suddenly have terrible stomach pain... This fruit plate is supposed to go to your grandfather. Could you... help me deliver it?"

Thinking it was just a small favor, I nodded and took it.

"Give it to me."

"Thank you!"

The maid looked relieved, clutching her stomach as she hurried away.

Grandfather's bedroom was at the end of the hallway. The door was ajar, light spilling from inside.

I approached, about to raise my hand to knock.

A dull thud of something heavy hitting the floor suddenly came from inside.

My heart jumped. Without thinking further, I pushed the door open with my elbow.

The scene before me made my blood freeze instantly.

Grandfather lay face-up on the carpet beside the bed, while Lydia gripped a down pillow with both hands, pressing it firmly over his nose and mouth.

Her profile in the lamplight appeared twisted and vicious, her eyes full of malice. Completely different from her usual weak and pitiful appearance.

"Grandpa!"

The fruit plate slipped from my hands. I gasped in disbelief and lunged forward, shoving Lydia away.

"Lydia! What are you doing?!"

Caught off guard, Lydia was pushed to the floor. She screamed, hurriedly dropping the pillow, her face drained of all color, trembling violently.

I was about to reach out to check Grandfather's breathing when Ethan and other Quinn family members burst in after hearing the commotion.

Ethan saw Grandfather collapsed on the floor. His pupils constricted sharply.

"What happened?!"

"Grandfather! Grandfather, what's wrong?"

Other Quinn family members crowded in, crying out in shock at the scene.

"Quick! Call an ambulance! Now!"

After Ethan shouted, he rushed over like a gust of wind, crouched down, carefully lifted Grandfather, and urgently pressed his fingers to the carotid artery.

Chaos erupted.

The ambulance arrived quickly. Grandfather was lifted onto a stretcher and sent to the hospital, straight into the emergency room.

The situation was critical, life and death uncertain.

In the Quinn estate's main hall, the atmosphere was unbearably heavy.

The main Quinn family members gathered there, everyone's faces somber.

Ethan returned from the hospital to the estate. When he entered the hall, his expression was even darker than when he'd left.

"What exactly happened?"

His voice was low, carrying the feeling of an approaching storm, each word like ice.

"Grandpa was perfectly fine. How did he suddenly suffocate and fall unconscious? Who did this?"

Everyone's eyes focused on Lydia and me: some suspicious, some scrutinizing, some furious.

When they all heard the commotion and rushed to the room, there were only two people inside besides Grandfather: Lydia and me.

Only we knew what had happened.

I opened my mouth, about to speak.

"It was... it was Sophia!"