"Of course," Sophia answered with a deceptively warm smile, offering him a glass. "This will help you relax."

Caleb took the water without suspicion and drank it all in one go.

He never noticed the untraceable, lethal poison she had slipped into his drink.

It acted almost instantly. He clutched his chest, his features twisting in sudden, violent pain before he collapsed onto the floor. Sophia observed his convulsing form with icy detachment.

"Clean this up," she ordered her team, her voice completely flat.

Her subordinates swiftly removed all evidence of Caleb's body. Sophia smoothed her clothes, composing herself as if nothing had occurred, then went to find Ethan.

"Are you still looking for her?" she asked, entering his study with feigned concern masking her true intentions.

Ethan looked up, his face haggard and etched with deep worry. "Sophia. Hello," he said, his voice weak with exhaustion.

"Just let her go, Ethan," Sophia said, placing a seemingly comforting hand on his shoulder. "Weren't you two headed for divorce anyway? Perhaps her disappearance is a blessing."

"Enough!" Ethan roared, shoving her back as he stood abruptly. Rage burned in his eyes. "You understand nothing!"

Sophia stumbled from the force, fury flashing in her gaze before she quickly replaced it with a wounded expression.

"Why are you so cruel to me?" she asked, pretending to be hurt. "I'm only concerned about you..."

"Get out!" Ethan thundered, pointing toward the door.

But Sophia was not so easily dismissed. She left the study and immediately went to find Victoria.

Tears streamed down Sophia's face as she pleaded, "Mrs. Blackwood, you must talk to Ethan! He's losing his mind over Isabella!"

Victoria, already predisposed to dislike Isabella, felt her irritation deepen at Sophia's words.

"That woman brings nothing but trouble!" Victoria erupted, slamming her hand on a table in anger before storming off to confront her son.

"Sign this, Ethan!" She threw the divorce papers at him, her voice firm and commanding. "You are done with her after this."

Ethan glanced at the documents, a storm of emotions crossing his face, but he remained silent.

"What are you thinking?" Victoria's voice grew sharper seeing his reluctance. "Will you truly disregard my advice for her sake?"

Ethan stayed silent, visibly torn.

"Look what she has done to you!" Victoria's words dripped with disappointment as she watched his internal conflict. "You're letting her destroy you."

"Mother, I don't wish to discuss this now," Ethan murmured, massaging his temples, his voice weary.

"We will discuss it now. Your negligence at work, the past scandals—have you forgotten everything?" Victoria pressed, her tone sharp and filled with disdain for Isabella.

"Those matters are in the past, Mother," Ethan replied dismissively.

"In the past? Do you realize the embarrassment she has brought upon the Blackwood family?" Victoria was furious. "I always said she was wrong for you. Sophia is everything Isabella is not—kind, moral, well-bred. How can Isabella possibly compare?"

"Mother, regarding Sophia and me..." Ethan began, clearly conflicted.

"You and Sophia belong together. It is a blessing Isabella is gone. She was nothing but a hindrance!" Victoria insisted firmly. "Now, sign these papers and marry Sophia. Do it quickly!"