“Isabella, you conniving witch!” Sophia snarled, hurling her phone across the sofa.

She paced the room, her agitation growing with every step. “I refuse to just stand by and let this happen!” She halted abruptly.

“Ethan belongs to me—only me! No one will ever steal him away!”

Grabbing her purse, she stormed out the door, fueled by pure fury.

Inside KFC, Ethan and Liam were still enjoying their meal when a figure approached their table.

“Ethan, what a surprise to see you here,” Sophia said, her smile strained and her eyes locked intently on Liam.

Ethan’s brow furrowed slightly as he replied coolly, “Hmm.”

Ignoring his reserved tone, Sophia walked straight toward Liam, crouched down, and spoke in an overly sweet voice. “Hello there, little one. What’s your name?”

Liam eyed her warily and scooted closer to Ethan without responding.

“Don’t be afraid. I’m a friend of Ethan’s,” Sophia continued, still smiling as she reached out to pat Liam’s head.

Liam ducked away from her touch, clutching Ethan’s arm tightly, and stated firmly, “I don’t like this lady.”

For a moment, Sophia’s smile froze, but she quickly recovered, masking her irritation. “Oh, you’re just a shy little thing, aren’t you?”

She then pulled a neatly wrapped toy from her purse. “I brought you a gift. Do you like it?”

Liam glanced at the toy but shook his head and hid behind Ethan, his voice soft yet resolute. “My mom said not to take things from strangers.” Sophia’s expression darkened briefly. She hadn’t expected such a direct rejection from the child.

Struggling to maintain her composure, she insisted, “I’m not a stranger.”

“I don’t know you, anyway!” Liam retorted loudly, his face flushing with emotion.

Ethan, observing Liam’s defensive reaction, felt a surge of protectiveness. He tousled Liam’s hair affectionately and addressed Sophia firmly. “We have to go.”

With that, he took Liam’s hand and swiftly exited KFC.

Sophia stood frozen for a moment, watching their retreating figures, her forced smile dissolving into a look of pure venom. “Isabella, just you wait!” she hissed through clenched teeth, her fist so tightly balled that her fingernails dug into her palm.

Ethan, with Liam’s hand securely in his, walked out of KFC with long, deliberate strides.

Behind them, Sophia’s resentful gaze followed, igniting a flicker of annoyance within him.

“That lady is really scary,” Liam murmured in a small, frightened voice, gripping Ethan’s hand more tightly.

As Ethan looked down at the child, his expression softened.

He offered a reassuring smile and said gently, “Don’t worry, I’m here.” Just as he spoke, a sharp cry cut through the air.

Ethan quickly turned around to see Sophia collapsing to the floor. Her high heels lay askew beside her, and blood flowed from a gash on her forehead down her cheek—a startling sight.