CHAPTER 80: CHAPTER 80 LIVING IN THE BLACKWOOD MANSION

Sophie’s POV

As soon as I closed the door behind me, I dropped the terrified act. No need for that performance anymore. I couldn’t help the smug smile spreading across my face. Everything was going according to plan.

I glanced at my phone, seeing a message from an unknown number.

"You need to pay extra for this job."

I typed back immediately, "No problem. Just don’t screw up the performance!"

The whole "abusive ex-husband" story? Completely fabricated, of course. I’d carefully crafted that little tale and hired an actor to play the part.

While I did marry a wealthy older man abroad who genuinely died, that pathetic backstory was pure fiction.

But how else could I make Ryan feel sorry for me? Men like him are so predictably heroic when faced with a damsel in distress.

After deleting all traces of our conversation, I tossed my phone aside and treated myself to a luxurious hot bath.

I’d already decided to take a few days off from the subsidiary company. Might as well enjoy myself while Ryan was feeling too guilty to kick me out of his mansion.

"Not bad,Sophie," I whispered to myself as I slipped into the brand new silk nightgown the housekeeper had brought me. "Not bad at all."

The nightgown must have been intended for Serena—the former lady of this house. Too bad for her, I’d be the one wearing these clothes now.

I slept until late morning, stretching luxuriously when I finally decided to grace the world with my presence.

The Blackwood estate’s head chef wasn’t in today, but that hardly mattered. As Ryan’s "former flame," I still commanded respect. The staff treated me with kid gloves, afraid of displeasing me.

After breakfast, I carried my coffee upstairs, smiling at how quickly I’d made myself at home.

"Miss Hart," a nervous maid called out, "Mr. Blackwood doesn’t allow anyone into his private rooms."

I turned to her with my sweetest smile. "I just need some clothes to wear. I came here in such a hurry yesterday and brought nothing with me. Surely I can’t spend all day wandering around in nightwear?"

The nightgown wasn’t revealing, but it wasn’t appropriate for daytime either. The maid wisely shut her mouth and backed down.

I pushed open the door to the master bedroom, taking in the familiar sight. Still the same austere gray color scheme, just as minimalist and uptight as Ryan himself.

When I walked into the walk-in closet, however, my smile vanished. I’d expected to find a few of Serena’s things, but instead, the entire closet was packed with women’s clothing. Designer shoes and limited-edition handbags lined the shelves—some I’d never been able to afford myself.

I clenched my fists, examining each item carefully until I noticed something odd. All these clothes appeared brand new, unworn. The tags were still attached to most pieces.

My mood darkened. Ryan had obviously bought all this for Serena. The collection represented everything he wanted to give her, everything he never gave me.

"Well," I muttered, pulling out a striking red dress, "finders keepers."

I slipped it on, admiring how the color made my skin glow and my red lips pop. Ryan always loved me in red—said it matched my fiery personality. I spent some time in front of the mirror, adding golden stilettos and a limited-edition handbag to complete the look. Perfect.

I shoved the nightgown into the back of a drawer and strutted out of the closet feeling like the queen I was born to be.

Bored with having no one to admire my new outfit, I video called my sister.

I arranged myself artfully on the balcony chaise lounge, letting the sunlight catch in my hair as she answered.

"Sis? Where are you?" Ivy asked, probably thinking I was abroad again.

I laughed. "Can’t you tell?"

I flipped the camera, deliberately capturing the luxurious room behind me. Her gasp was exactly what I’d hoped for.

"Oh my god! You’re at the Blackwood mansion!"

"Is that so surprising?" I asked, not bothering to hide my smugness.

"Are you and Ryan back together? When can I come visit?" Ivy had been desperate to get into the Blackwood estate for ages, but Serena had always blocked her attempts.

"Patience, little sister. You’re my flesh and blood—I’ll buy you a mansion just like this one someday."

I couldn’t help the flash of contempt in my eyes. My sister was so transparent, so pathetically obvious with her ambitions. She’d had years while I was abroad to sink her claws into Ryan and had accomplished nothing. Now that I was back, I wouldn’t let anyone stand in my way—not even my own sister.

"You’re amazing, sis!"

The way Ivy eagerly swallowed my empty promises sometimes made me wonder if we were truly related. How could someone be so gullible?

"Enough chitchat," I said. "I need you to do something for me."

Her excitement instantly faded into a pout. "You only remember I exist when you need something."

"Don’t be ridiculous. Everything I do is for our future," I said firmly.

She gave in immediately. "Fine, but I’m nearly broke. The hotel I’m staying in is awful—people make noise all night. It’s miserable."

"I’ll transfer you some money right away. Find yourself a decent place. Hotels aren’t safe anyway." I waved dismissively.

Her face lit up again. "You’re the best sister ever! I knew you’d take care of me."

Now that she was happy, I explained her task: "It’s simple. Find Serena and tell her I’m living at the Blackwood estate now. Tell her Ryan and I have reconciled. Make her as angry as possible."

What better way to drive these two further apart? And if things went wrong, I could always blame my impulsive little sister.

Ivy, predictably, was thrilled at the chance to torment Serena. "Leave it to me! I’ll handle it right away."

"Do it today. Don’t wait," I insisted. "I’ll text you Serena’s address."

"On my way!"

After ending the call, I closed my eyes, imagining all the possible outcomes. If we were really lucky, maybe the pregnant princess would get so upset she’d lose that baby.

Two birds, one stone.

Poor Serena wouldn’t know what hit her. And Ryan? He’d be mine again before he even realized what game we were playing.