Chapter 4

Sophia's POV

The day after the anniversary gala, I was at the bookstore organizing the last batch of old books to donate when the door was suddenly pushed open.

My best friend Emma rushed in breathlessly, her eyes red-rimmed, grabbing my wrist. "Sophia, something happened!"

At last night's gala, Emma had witnessed Ethan and Lena's disgusting behavior and was furious. Today, while recording a show at the TV station, she happened to run into Lena, and the two had a confrontation.

Emma slapped Lena across the face in public and called her a homewrecker.

"I just can't stand her behavior! Why should you be bullied by that bitch!" Emma trembled as she cried.

My heart tightened, but before I could speak, the harsh sound of braking came from outside.

Ethan arrived with several bodyguards, his face dark with fury as he strode into the bookstore.

His usual gentle mask was completely torn away. The look he gave Emma was as cold as if he were looking at a dead person.

"Take her away." Ethan coldly ordered. "Since Ms. Hayes can't control her hands, she doesn't need to stay in New York anymore."

"Ethan, what are you doing!" I rushed to stand in front of Emma.

Ethan looked at me, his tone severe. "Sophia, she slapped Lena in front of so many people today! Lena is a public figure, and more importantly, she's the person my mother asked me to care for before she died. She's suffered such a great injustice. This can't just end like this!"

"Not only will she be blacklisted online, I'm sending her to prison!"

All the blood in my body seemed to freeze at that moment.

In my past life, Emma had been driven to bankruptcy by Ethan for standing up for me against Lena, and eventually swallowed twenty sleeping pills and committed suicide.

That scene was a wound in my heart that would bleed forever.

I could endure Ethan's cold violence toward me, but I absolutely couldn't let Emma be harmed again!

I clenched my fists tightly, my nails nearly digging into my flesh.

Looking at this husband who was willing to push my best friend to the brink of destruction for another woman, I swallowed the bloody taste rising in my throat.

I lowered my head, my voice hoarse to the extreme. "Ethan, I'm begging you, don't hurt her."

Ethan frowned. "Sophia, don't be unreasonable."

"I'll apologize for her." I closed my eyes, my knees bending slightly. "I'll go apologize to Lena. Is that okay?"

Ethan froze. He looked at my humble posture, reluctance crossing his face, but he quickly suppressed it.

"Fine," Ethan looked at me. "Go to Lena's set this afternoon and apologize to her. Then I won't pursue this matter."

After Ethan left, Emma held me and sobbed. "Sophia, why are you apologizing! What did you do wrong!"

I didn't cry.

I calmly took out my phone and transferred all five million dollars remaining in my account to Emma.

"Emma, take this money and leave immediately. Never come back."

"Sophia..."

"Go!" I pushed her away forcefully. "I can't protect you for long. You can only honor me by living well!"

Because the protection of the dead has an expiration date.