Chapter 142: The Victim Act

Amanda's POV

I stepped out of the restroom and spotted Sophia coming from across the hall. Her expression turned cold when she saw me.

"What are you doing here?" she finally asked, voice full of suspicion.

I smiled and pointed at the restroom. "Miss Sterling, I'm just using the bathroom. Do I need your permission for that too?"

When she relaxed slightly, I continued. "By the way, I helped a man with a dislocated shoulder earlier. Afterward, he made a phone call saying the 'hero-rescue' job was worth the money because 'that woman is easy to fool.' Strange, right?"

Her pupils contracted instantly. "I know nothing about that." Then she hurried away.

I watched her retreat, my smile fading. Clearly, Sophia was planning to make a move on Ethan, even hiring someone to stage a rescue.

In the conference room, Ethan focused on business discussions while Sophia sat nearby looking pitiful with slightly red eyes. Ethan didn't spare her a single glance.

A small satisfaction bubbled inside me. Her desperate attempts couldn't gain even a moment of his attention.

When Sophia's act began to falter, Ethan finally turned—but looked at me instead. "It's getting late. We've settled everything, Miss Sterling. If there's nothing else, I'll be going." His voice was ice cold.

Sophia bit her lip. "Mr. Blackwood, I can't thank you enough. If it weren't for you, I might have—"

Ethan cut her off with a casual glance. "No need. I just happened to be there. Anyone would have helped." Then he prepared to leave.

His coldness once nearly broke me. Now, ironically, it had become my ally.

On the drive home, Ethan escorted me back. Diana was already there, concern crossing her face when she saw him dropping me off.

"Any unusual symptoms lately?" she asked after he left.

I shook my head. "Nothing. Everything's fine."

"Make sure you rest properly." Diana pulled me to sit on the couch. "Amanda, this collaboration between Blackwood and Sterling, plus the connection to Weill Cornell Medicine—maybe you should step back."

The worry in her eyes warmed something inside me. For once, someone genuinely cared about my safety.

"Mrs. Wright, I believe there's something suspicious about this partnership," I explained. "Staying openly by Ethan's side gives me protection. Following this through might reveal what they're planning."

"But you'll be right in the middle of it," Diana's face creased with concern.

"I'll be careful. I'm prepared now, and you've assigned people to protect me. Even Gregory wouldn't dare act boldly at Johns Hopkins."

Seeing my determination, Diana sighed. "Fine. But tell me immediately if anything happens."

Meanwhile, at Johns Hopkins Medical Research Center, Gregory Freeman faced Benjamin Blackwood and Katherine Blackwood, desperately explaining: "It's all a misunderstanding."

Katherine Blackwood grabbed Gregory's collar furiously. "Misunderstanding? Should I put a bullet in your head and call it a misunderstanding too?"

"There absolutely won't be a next time," Gregory quickly promised.

Benjamin added his own warning: "Director Freeman, Amanda Davis is off limits."

"What connection does this woman have to the Blackwood family?" Gregory probed.

"A significant one. Test it if you don't believe me, and see what happens if Amanda gets hurt." Benjamin's threat was unmistakable.

The irony stung. Those who once sought to destroy me had become my shield.

The next day at Blackwood's Johns Hopkins branch, footsteps from the elevator drew everyone's attention. Sophia appeared carrying a bag, dressed in a soft pastel dress—the perfect image of a delicate flower.

Nicole rushed forward eagerly. "Miss Sterling, you're here!"

"Yes, I forgot something during yesterday's discussion with Mr. Blackwood," Sophia explained softly.

After learning Ethan was in a meeting, Sophia's eyes landed on me. "Who is she?"

"Mr. Blackwood's assistant," Nicole replied.

A strange smile lifted Sophia's lips. "I've seen her before. I heard she makes excellent tea. Would you ask her to bring me some?"

Nicole turned to me: "Amanda, make tea for Miss Sterling. She's an important client!"

Anger flared in my chest, but I pushed it down. This petty game offered an opportunity to understand her intentions.

In the office, Sophia asked Nicole, "How is that Amanda doing here?"

"She's been hanging around secretarial area. Seems interested in Mr. Blackwood," Nicole replied knowingly.

"Don't worry," Nicole added quickly. "A woman like Amanda with no power could never match Mr. Blackwood. Only someone like you would be suitable."

Sophia smiled. "You're perceptive." She handed Nicole a jewelry box. "I bought this recently but don't like it. It's yours."

Nicole's face lit up seeing the expensive bracelet. "Thank you so much!"

"Keep an eye on Amanda for me," Sophia instructed. "Report anything unusual. I'll make it worth your while."

When I entered with the tea, Nicole haughtily reminded me: "Amanda, this is Miss Sterling, a major Blackwood client. Don't offend her!"

"Is that so? From your attitude, I thought Miss Young was the client here," I replied with a smile.

Inside, I poured tea for Sophia. She immediately found fault: "This tea is too hot."

I added cool water. "The tea is too weak," she complained next. I added more tea leaves.

"Amanda, what exactly are you doing?" Sophia finally locked eyes with me.

"Miss Sterling, you started this. I'm not a secretary, and serving clients isn't my job. You can make whatever you prefer yourself."

As I prepared to leave, Sophia called after me. Her question about our friendship. When exactly had we changed? The audacity of it burned through me.

The memory of her cruel words from days ago crashed through my mind. How quickly she'd discarded years of supposed friendship once she had the Sterling name. The bitterness of betrayal coated my tongue as I stared back at her.

Her expression shifted as she watched my reaction. The mask of friendliness fell away, revealing the cold calculation beneath. Her silent warning was clear - stay in my lane, know my place, stop reaching for what she believed was hers.

I laughed softly. "Unrealistic? Like being with Ethan? Remember, I was at least his wife once. That's better than someone who's never been anything to him."

"Past tense. He doesn't remember you now. The divorce papers are signed." Her words came out clipped, triumphant.

My smile widened despite the stabbing pain her words caused. Months of hardship had taught me this strange art—smiling through agony. "At least I had him. What about you? All that chasing, and what do you have to show for it?"

"You—"

The office door swung open, cutting her off mid-sentence. With astonishing speed, Sophia's entire demeanor transformed. Hatred vanished, replaced by wounded innocence. Her shoulders hunched slightly, lips quivering.

She turned dewy eyes toward Ethan. "Mr. Blackwood, your employee is being terribly rude. I only asked for tea, and she refused, then insulted me."

My heart stumbled against my ribs as Ethan's gaze swept over me. Those blue eyes once held such warmth. Now they held nothing—emptiness where memories should be.

"Ms. Davis isn't my employee," he stated flatly. "She's here to assist with the project. What brings you by, Ms. Sterling?"

Satisfaction bloomed in my chest. Even without memories, some things remained unchanged—his inherent sense of fairness, his resistance to manipulation.

Sophia stiffened. "I... brought the documents we discussed last night. There was a detail I forgot to mention." She extracted a folder from her bag, extending it with practiced grace.

Ethan glanced at it briefly. "Thank you. If there's nothing else, please excuse me."

Her teeth worried at her lower lip. "About last night... I wanted to thank you again for helping me. My father always taught me to show gratitude properly. Perhaps dinner?"