Chapter 441: A Dark Thought Took Root in Lucas's Mind

A dark thought took root in Lucas's mind. He turned to Sebastian with grim determination. "Keep this entire matter from Sienna. She must not know." He couldn't risk anything before making her his wife. Sebastian frowned deeply. "Brother... You're planning to conceal this from Sienna?"

"It's not concealment. I'll address it when the time is right." He would handle everything appropriately.

Lucas gave Sebastian's shoulder a firm pat before walking out. Sebastian felt uneasy but hoped his brother could manage the situation before Sienna discovered the truth. Neither man noticed the figure hiding in the bathroom. Valerie. She had come to Lucas's office that morning hoping to negotiate. Those photos of him with Sienna were her bargaining chips to force their separation. The sudden arrival of both brothers forced her into hiding. But her eavesdropping rewarded her with explosive information. Lucas was still searching for the woman from five years ago.

And that woman was likely Sophia Prescott. Jealousy burned through Valerie at the thought of that penniless girl. Born into poverty, Sophia had been all doe-eyed vulnerability and pathetic weakness. Exactly the type to ensnare men's souls. Valerie despised her. She had grown up with Lucas since childhood. Shared sandboxes and childhood dreams. Yet he never once looked at her with interest. Worse, he had grown inexplicably close to Sophia when he turned eighteen. She had conspired with Beatrice Harrington to send Sophia away years ago. Never expecting her return.

Was she truly at Crown Monarch Hotel five years ago? If the woman he slept with was Sophia... then she would be Noah's mother... Valerie's fists clenched tightly. Sophia took the five million and left Kingsport. Yet she bore Lucas's child? The more she thought, the more Noah's watery eyes resembled Sophia's! Rage simmered within her. But her assistant Cassandra quickly intervened. "Madam, please remain calm. This is actually beneficial. Consider what Sienna would do upon discovering Sophia's existence?" Valerie gradually cooled at Cassandra's reasoning. She had a point.

Knowing Sienna's temperament, she would undoubtedly target Sophia. Even if she didn't, she would never tolerate Lucas keeping another woman in his heart. Once Sienna was out of the picture... Sophia posed no threat. She was a fragile flower that could be crushed with minimal effort.

"Find Sophia," Valerie commanded coldly. "Get to her before Sebastian does."

"Yes, Madam."

Meanwhile...

Lucas drove back to Willowcrest Estate, memories from a decade ago flooding his mind. Back then, Sophia was constantly bullied by wealthy university boys. No matter how they tried to buy her, she never yielded. She fought back fiercely. Despite her powerlessness and poverty, she stood firm without wavering. He had never encountered such determination and strength in a woman. He had pitied her then. Those feelings faded over the past decade. He never thought of her until Sebastian's revelation today. Would Sienna misunderstand if she learned about this?

When he arrived at Willowcrest Estate, he found Sienna and Noah playing checkers in matching cute pajamas. The late afternoon sun cast a warm glow over them. The sight was breathtakingly beautiful and heartwarming. All his doubts instantly vanished as his gaze fixed on Sienna.