She Used Me for a Dare… Now I Own Her Mother

Chapter 443: Steele Estate(3)

Edward looked at his son for a few seconds after hearing his confident words. Then, a slow, proud smile spread across his face. He gave a small nod, clearly pleased.

"You’ve done well," he said. "And I expect nothing less from my son."

Marcus leaned back in his chair, looking visibly proud after receiving his father’s praise. A confident smirk played on his lips as he replied,

"I would have brought her here long ago if you hadn’t said otherwise."

Edward let out a small chuckle at his son’s words, but the smile slowly faded from his face.

"Don’t get overconfident. Love can be a powerful tool, but it can also turn unpredictable."

His expression turned serious once again as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. His sharp eyes locked onto Marcus with a heavy, unwavering gaze.

"Listen carefully," he said. "Sophia is not like the other girls you’ve dealt with before. She’s smart. If you push too hard or move too fast, she’ll notice. And once she starts doubting you, everything becomes difficult."

He paused, his gaze sharpening as he continued,

"And don’t forget who she is. She is a Blackwood. A true Blackwood. You never know if they’re keeping tabs on her... or if someone is already tailing her from the shadows. So from now on, never think about... or speak about... anything that could ruin our plan. We are in no position to protect ourselves if they sense even the slightest danger to one of their own from an outsider like us."

Edward leaned forward slightly, his voice turning heavier.

"Think carefully and clearly before doing anything from this point onward. This family is depending on you, Marcus. Everything we’ve built... everything we stand to gain or lose... it all rests on how well you handle Sophia."

He held his son’s gaze for a moment before continuing in a calmer but firm tone.

"So don’t rush. Take your time. Make her feel special. Make her feel like you’re the only one who truly understands her. Slowly pull her in until she can’t imagine being without you. That’s how you make someone truly yours."

Marcus nodded slowly. The confident smirk he had been wearing earlier had completely disappeared. His expression turned grave as he sat in silence, feeling the full weight of his father’s words.

For the first time in the conversation, he truly understood how dangerous and delicate this matter was.

Edward looked at his son for a long moment. Then, a small smile appeared on his face. He let out a soft chuckle as he saw Marcus’s serious expression.

"Don’t be like that now," Edward said, shaking his head lightly. "Go. Keep her company. You shouldn’t leave her alone for too long."

Marcus stood up without saying anything else. He gave his father a short nod, walked toward the door, opened it, and quietly left the study.

The door closed behind him with a soft click.

Edward remained seated in his chair. The smile on his face slowly faded until it was completely gone. He leaned back, closed his eyes for a moment, and took a deep, heavy breath. The room felt much quieter now.

"I’m sorry for putting you in such a situation, my son..." he murmured under his breath. "But I’m doing this for you only."

He opened his eyes and stared at the empty chair across from him, his expression tired and complicated.

"I just hope you will do what you promised..." he whispered.

***

The kitchen was filled with the warm, comforting aroma of simmering soup and freshly baked bread. Natalia stood by the stove, stirring the pot with practiced ease, her sleeves rolled up and a soft apron tied around her waist. The soft golden light from the hanging lamps made the entire space feel cozy and inviting.

Sophia sat on one of the stools near the counter, her chin resting lightly on her palm as she watched Natalia cook. A small, unconscious smile lingered on her lips... the kind of smile that refused to go away no matter how hard she tried to hide it.

Natalia glanced at her from the corner of her eye and smiled to herself. She turned off the stove, wiped her hands on the apron, and leaned against the counter, looking at Sophia with a knowing expression.

"You know," Natalia said, her voice warm and teasing, "you’ve been smiling non-stop since you came in here. It’s almost suspicious."

Sophia blinked, her cheeks turning slightly pink.

"I’m not smiling that much," she mumbled, though the smile on her face betrayed her words.

Natalia chuckled softly and walked over, resting her arms on the counter as she looked at her.

"Oh, you are. And not just smiling... you’re glowing. Your eyes are sparkling, your cheeks are pink, and you look like you’re floating on air." She tilted her head playfully. "Should I be worried? Or should I start preparing for a wedding soon?"

Sophia’s face turned even redder. She quickly looked down at the counter, trying to hide her expression, but the shy smile on her lips only grew wider.

Natalia laughed gently, clearly enjoying her reaction.

"I’m just teasing you, sweetheart," she said, her voice softening. "But really... you look beautiful when you’re this happy. It suits you."

***

The night had settled heavily over Thornhaven Manor. The grand estate stood like a silent fortress under the pale moonlight, its tall iron gates gleaming coldly under the watchful eyes of the guards stationed at every corner.

The air was still, and the entire manor was wrapped in an unnatural silence... the kind that only existed in places where fear and discipline walked hand in hand.

At first glance, the security appeared normal. Guards in dark uniforms patrolled the outer grounds with steady, disciplined steps.

But if one looked closer, they would notice the hidden watchers... men positioned in the shadows of the tall trees, on the rooftops, and even within the dark corners of the garden.

They were not visible unless one knew exactly where to look. Thornhaven Manor did not simply have guards. It had eyes everywhere.

Inside the manor, the long grand corridor was dimly lit by golden wall lamps. The sound of sharp, steady heels echoed through the empty hallway as Catherine walked alone. Her long dark coat swayed gently with each step, and her face remained calm and unreadable.

She didn’t rush. She didn’t hesitate. She simply walked forward with the quiet confidence of someone who owned every inch of the ground beneath her feet.

At the end of the corridor, she turned toward a heavy wooden door tucked away behind a tall bookshelf. Without pause, she pushed it open and descended the narrow stone staircase that led underground. The air grew colder with every step.

As she reached the bottom and pushed open the reinforced metal gate, a loud, agonized scream tore through the underground chamber, echoing off the stone walls.

Catherine didn’t flinch.

She stepped inside calmly, her heels clicking against the cold floor as she walked toward the source of the scream. The heavy metal door closed behind her with a deep, final thud.

***

The underground chamber was dimly lit by a few flickering wall lamps. The air was thick with the metallic scent of blood and the suffocating smell of fear.

In the center of the room, James Blackwood stood with his upper body bare, his skin covered in old scars and fresh blood splatters.

His eyes were wild, and a twisted, unhinged smile stretched across his face.

Several men were tied to wooden chairs around him, their bodies trembling. Among them was Pierce, who sat frozen in horror, his eyes wide with terror as he watched everything unfold.

His mouth was tightly gagged with a thick cloth, preventing him from making any real sound.

James let out a loud, manic laugh that echoed through the chamber. He slowly turned around, pointing at each terrified man one by one.

"Didn’t I tell you all, my dear friends?" he said with a wide grin. "Time will not remain the same for long... and you bastards will meet me again."

He walked slowly between the chairs, his footsteps echoing on the stone floor.

"Who’s next?" he asked playfully, pointing at one man. "You?"

The man frantically shook his head, tears streaming down his face.

James laughed again and pointed at another.

"You?"

That man also shook his head violently, his entire body trembling.

James continued walking until he stopped right in front of Pierce. He tilted his head and stared at him with a sickening smile.

Pierce’s eyes widened in pure fear. He tried to scream, but the gag in his mouth only allowed a muffled, desperate sound to escape.

Just as James reached out toward him, a calm, cold voice echoed from behind.

"C’mon... You’re still here, James."

James froze mid-motion. The manic smile on his face slowly faded as he turned his head toward the source of the voice.

Catherine stood at the entrance of the chamber, her arms crossed, watching him with an unreadable expression.