Chapter 81: Family Protection

With her arms folded firmly over her chest, Sophia paced the living room. The threats that followed were far worse than the news of Thornton's lawsuit. Her charity received an anonymous threat telling her to keep out of Alexander's affairs or face consequences.

Alexander clinched his jaw as he stood at the window. "He's going too far."

Nathan and Lucas were also there, both of them wearing somber expressions.

Nathan said, "It's not just a lawsuit anymore." "This is a personal matter."

Sophia clenched her fingers into fists. "He wants to frighten us."

Alexander looked across at Lucas. "Safety?"

Lucas gave a nod. "I've doubled it." Nobody enters the workplace or the penthouse without permission.

Alexander approached Sophia and grasped her hands. "I will not allow you or our son to suffer any harm."

She searched his eyes as she stared up at him. "I understand."

However, the terror in her heart persisted.

When Sophia got to her foundation's office the next morning, something didn't seem quite right. A few staff members murmured in low voices, and the receptionist seemed anxious.

"What's happening?" Sophia inquired.

Her helper paused. "Last night, someone attempted to break into the office."

Sophia felt sick to her stomach. "What?"

"They left a message on the door, but the security team scared them away."

She went out after her helper. The phrases were spray-painted in large red letters:

"Walk away, Mrs. Blackwood."

Sophia gasped.

Alexander will lose it if he sees this.

Alexander was hardly able to control his anger when he got to the workplace.

"They believe they can intimidate my wife." His physique was stiff, his voice fierce.

A file was set down on the desk by Lucas. We may have an advantage over Thornton's men. Suspicious activity has been seen close to the warehouse district.

Alexander reached for his phone. "This is going to be shut down tonight."

Sophia touched him on the arm. "Take care."

For a minute, his gaze softened. "I always am."

But she was aware that the storm was just getting started.

As Alexander, Lucas, and Nathan made their way through the dark warehouse sector, the night was cooler than normal and the wind was blowing across the city. They had followed Thornton's men to a storage facility outside of town, where competing businesses had previously made amends.

Lucas said quietly. An hour earlier, several of Thornton's men were seen on security cameras. They have a plan.

Alexander's mouth clenched. "So we're done with this now."

Nathan gestured to the doorway. "We need to enter in silence. They could flee if they are aware of our presence.

However, Alexander was impatient with games. He was determined not to overlook the danger to his family. They nodded and moved on, their footsteps soft on the pavement.

The warehouse was mainly dark inside, and the air was heavy with the scent of oil and moist wood. As Alexander and his men made their way farther inside, shadows extended over the walls. Then there were voices.

An angry voice said, "Thornton says we hit her next."

Sophia.

Alexander's heart froze.

"She's too public," said another guy. "Blackwood will strike back."

"We attack her while she's weak. When she doesn't anticipate it.

Alexander felt a flash of rage. Without thinking, he moved forward. "You did something wrong."

Startled, the guys turned, but not quickly enough. Lucas tackled one to the ground, while Nathan punched one in the stomach to take him out. Alexander slammed the leader into a container after grabbing him by the collar.

"You're finished," snarled Alexander.

Alexander's hold was tight despite the man's struggles. "You believe that we are the end of this? There are more people in Thornton.

Alexander's face became serious. "After that, I'll eliminate them all."

Sophia paced nervously back to the penthouse. She rushed to Alexander as soon as he entered the room.

"Are you alright?"

He cupped her face in his hand. "It has been resolved."

Sophia drew a trembling breath. "Handled... for the time being."

This wasn't over, she realized. Until he had nothing left to lose, Thornton would not give up.

He became much more dangerous as a result.

With her heart still pounding, Sophia took a little step back. In a worried tone, she repeated, "Handled for now?" "This man won't stop," Alexander said. What if—

He silenced her by pressing a finger to her lips. He firmly said, "Sofia, we don't live in fear." "I will not allow you or our child to suffer any harm."

She let out a trembling breath, looking into his eyes for confirmation. "Alexander, we must be ready. Thornton acts recklessly because he is desperate.

Alexander gave a nod. "I understand. I've already made the next step because of this.

When Sophia awoke the next morning, more guards were posted all around the property. The security cameras had been improved, there were guards at every entry, and an armored automobile now parked in the driveway, ready to serve as her main means of mobility.

Olivia's eyes widened at the sight; she had come earlier to talk with Sophia regarding the charity. She mumbled, "This looks more like a military base than a home."

Sophia let out a sigh. "It is essential."

Olivia looked at her pityingly. "Are you comfortable living this way, even though you know I support you?"

After a moment of hesitation, Sophia straightened her back. "I refuse to be a victim. I'll stand up for my family.

Across the city, Thornton was pacing his dark office with a look of irritation on his face. At his second-in-command, he growled, "They got to my men?"

The guy gave a nod. “Blackwood did more than just halt them. He passed across a message.

Thornton struck the desk with his fist. "Then we ought to strike him where the pain is greatest."

As he took out a file,a file bearing Sophia's name,a slow, ominous grin appeared on his lips.

Even though she had work to do, Sophia's thoughts were racing as she sat in her foundation office. Even when Alexander strengthened security, she still felt uneasy. She was well aware that Thornton would not give up easily.

Her cell rang. Olivia was back.

"Just to check in. Is everything alright?"

Sophia swiftly typed back. "For the time being. However, I feel uneasy."

With a sigh, she leaned back and gazed at the ceiling. She couldn't afford to live in constant terror, but she also couldn't disregard her gut.

Alexander had already taken a step forward. He and his security crew were sitting in his private office going over a new strategy.

His chief of security said, "We have determined Thornton's next potential course of action." "He is aiming for Sophia."

Alexander tightened his jaw. "I anticipated that."

We were able to intercept his men's conversations. This time, he's planning something more significant,public and embarrassing. He wants for her to be seen as a weak point.

Alexander clenched his hand around his pen. "Not while I'm watching."

Reaching for his phone, he called Sophia.

On the first ring, she responded. "Alexander?"

With an unarguable tone, he said, "I need you home."

Sophia's heart was racing. "What's the matter?"

"I'll clarify when you arrive. Just have faith in me.

She nodded and started gathering her belongings.

Sophia muttered, "Will we ever have peace?" as she sank into Alexander's arms that evening.

Her forehead was kissed by Alexander. "We'll. once I've completed this.

Thornton's men, meanwhile, had already taken their positions. And they weren't only observing this time.