His Substitute Ex-Wife

Chapter 3: The Fall of the Sinclair & Co.

Sofia hurried home, her heart pounding as she saw police cars parked by the door. Several officers were leading her father away. A sob tore from her throat as the reality set in—she knew what was happening. She rushed forward, crying out, but the police held her back.

Her father turned to her, managing only a brief warning, "Sofia, honey, be alert of Ethan."

She shouted, cried, as the police car took her father away. The neighbors gathered outside their house, pointing, whispering. Sofia felt all the strength drain from her body, leaving her empty. Her father had left her with that cryptic warning about Ethan. What did that mean? What was happening...

Suddenly, she remembered her mother and younger sister. Sofia brushed away her tears and ran inside.

The house was in chaos. Uncles, cousins, her mother's siblings, and other relatives filled the living room. Her mother sat on the sofa, crying, while her sister Amelia was sitting next to her trying to comfort her, also crying.

"Mom, Amelia…" Sofia called, her voice trembling.

Her mother looked up, her eyes turned red with grief and rage. Suddenly, she sprang from the sofa and slapped Sofia on the face. The sting and shock made Sofia dizzy.

"What are you doing, Mom? It's not her fault!" Fifteen-year-old Amelia rushed up, holding their mother back as she tried to strike again. Sofia's mind was blank, reeling from the accusation and pain.

Her uncles, cousins, aunts, and other family members glared at her with contempt, as though she were the enemy. They blamed her; they hated her.

"What did I do?"Sofia shouted out loud.

"Sofia, you're so shameless," her elder cousin Victoria sneered. "You got your own father into jail with Ethan's help. What are you really up to?"

"Why were you not home the whole night last night? Where were you ,huh? Probably goofing around with Ethan. How could you do this to your father?" said her other cousin, Tracy.

"You should throw her out! If she hadn't been obsessed with Ethan and given out business information about our Sinclair & Co., we would never be like this today!" her second uncle shouted angrily.

Sofia laughed in disbelief, knowing she must have been set up; she just couldn't see the whole picture yet .

Amelia held her tightly. "Sofia, it's not your fault. Don't listen to them."

Amelia turned to the others and pointed to the door. "Get out! Get out of our house!"

The Sinclair & Co. was well-known in Blue Lake City, not exactly upper class but wealthy and established. John Sinclair, Sofia's father, had built his construction company, rising from a contractor to the chairman of Sinclair & Co.

Ethan exposed the company and reported John's bribery, accusing him of involving commercial crimes. John has now been arrested by the police for investigation. For several months, the family-run smuggling cases in Blue Lake City have implicated many people in both the government and business sectors, and unfortunately, John has also become embroiled in this large economic case.

Once John was arrested, Ethan quickly dismantled Sinclair & Co., leaving it in ruin and debt—a debt of over ten million dollars. Their house and all family assets would be seized and auctioned off in a few days.

And Sofia had unknowingly become an accomplice. For years, she'd been infatuated with Ethan, never wondering why he was always curious about her father's business affairs and whereabouts…

Now, Ethan stood in the doorway, a cruelly handsome figure in a white suit that accentuated his tall, muscular frame. He exuded a cold, authoritative air that froze Sofia to the core; his charm and kindness over all these years had all been an act. Sofia's mother, Vivian, got so furious, lunged at him but was then easily pushed aside by his bodyguard. Sofia and Amelia rushed to help their mother.

Vivian pointed at Ethan, cursing, calling him ungrateful, accusing him of betrayal. Ethan sneered, his gaze was cold and hard. Sofia looked up, meeting his gaze, and finally asked, "Ethan· Westwood, why?"

He paused for a second, then his mouth curved into a cold smile. "Why? To let you Sinclairs taste the misery of complete ruin."

Ten years ago, the Westwoods owned a small construction company. John Sinclair bought it out, driving Ethan's parents to commit suicide, leaving young Ethan becoming an orphan. Out of pity, John adopted him, raising him like his own, letting him grow up alongside Sofia and eventually work for the company. But all along, Ethan never forgot to destroy Sinclair & Co.

"Sofia, darling, thank you,"he said, with a voice sounded venomous, laced with a sense of vindictive pleasure.

Straightening her back, Sofia smiled sweetly, while her voice sounded icy as she spoke, "Ethan, what goes around comes around. One day you'll get your comeuppance, and I'll be waiting."

For a brief moment, he saw a fierce glow in her, a rare, threatening light in this girl who had always chased after him. The image of this innocent little girl standing on the rooftop of the tallest building in Blue Lake City, shouting that one day she would marry him, is vivid as if it just happened yesterday.

Earlier this morning, the only thought in Sofia’s mind was to find out who the jackass from last night was and make him pay. But at this moment, she felt a glimmer of gratitude for last night's stranger, grateful it had been anyone but Ethan. Otherwise, she would feel even more gross.

Sinclair & Co. had fallen completely. The most heartbreaking thing is these so-called relatives had turned their anger on Sofia, her mother and the 15-year-old sister, leaving them helpless on the streets.

With no choice left, Vivian pawned her jewelry, pouring the last of her funds into hiring a lawyer for her husband, hoping to reunite the family one day.

Every penny went toward the lawyer, leaving no money for even a rented room. Their meals consisted of dry bread, and they huddled by the river at night, gazing at the city lights while the tourists around stared at them in confusion.

Sofia never imagined she'd one day end up like this. Yet, a greater tragedy still loomed ahead.

One day, while discussing Sofia's father's case with the lawyer, Ethan sauntered over. Vivian got so furious, however, the lawyer quietly advised them not to provoke him.

Ethan was now the CEO of Westwood Ventures, a conglomerate that had grown swiftly in construction, entertainment, and aviation. He was one of the city's top young elites, second only to Damien· Steele, the CEO of Vertex Holdings.

"I heard you are homeless now, right?" Ethan asked, his dark gaze fixed on Sofia.

"It's none of your business."

"We could make a deal," he proposed, calm and cruel. "Be my mistress, and I'll guarantee you three a comfortable life. Your mother and sister will be well cared for."

Sofia’s mom almost fainted in anger, clutching her chest, gasping.

Sofia's nails dug into her palms as she trembled with rage. But she put on the coldest smile saying "Ethan, I'd rather be f**ked by a f**king stranger than let you touch me a bit."

A dark shadow crossed his eyes. Her words pierced some part of him. With a cruel laugh, he leaned closer. "Sofia, I’ll let you beg me to touch you—I swear."