Chapter 390

390.Chapter 390 Matthew clenched his teeth. “Eliza! If you’ve got a problem, come at me. You’re not allowed to bully Sophie.”

Eliza smirked. “How is this bullying? I am merely acting on orders. Blame your dear Sophie for doing what she shouldn’t have. Otherwise, how would I have caught her?”

Eliza’s smile deepened as she leaned in slightly. “Okay. Time’s ticking. Matthew, it is your last chance. Make your choice, or you’ll have to go to the prison to visit Sophie.”

This time, her actions were indeed sanctioned by the Emperor.

Word had already reached the Emperor about Diana’s visit to the Duke’s estate to annul the engagement.

Since Diana might be the future Empress, the Emperor was willing to give her a hand.

Besides, their shared history from childhood meant the Emperor wouldn’t simply stand by and do nothing, just as he had once stepped in to help Eliza It all came down to the bond they had forged in the past The only problem was that the shrewd Gabriel had also seen through the game. That was why he remained so unnervingly composed. And the calmer he appeared, the more it unsettled Eliza.

It seems the upcoming negotiation won’t be easy” Eliza lowered her eyes slightly as she recalled Benedict coughing up blood and collapsing that day Then, she thought, Forget it. Dealing with Diana’s engagement is the priority.

“Oh, Matthew, help me! I’m so scared.” Terrified of being taken away, Sophie, guilt–ridden and panicked, clung desperately to Matthew, her face streaked with tears.

“You promised you’d always protect me. Doesn’t that mean anything to you anymore?” Sophie pleaded. Seeing Matthew’s hesitation, she bit her lip and turned away with fragile vulnerability. “Never mind... I shouldn’t have asked, she murmured, her voice breaking. “How shameless I am to beg for your protection when you’re engaged. I, I’m just...” Before she could finish, Sophie buried her face in her hands and burst into tears.

Her crying filled Matthew with guilt and pain.

“No, Sophie, that’s not it. Matthew quickly reassured Sophie, “It’s not that I don’t care about you, but it is all Eliza’s scheme, and I don’t want to fall into her trap.”

“No, Matthew, you don’t have to explain. I understand everything.” Sophie sobbed. “You’re going to start your own family soon.

Even though I’m your sister, I shouldn’t cling to you like this. Just let them take me away. That way, you won’t have to choose”

As she spoke, she stepped forward, heading toward the Black Flag soldiers.

Matthew’s heart leapt in panic. “No, Sophie, stop! Don’t do anything rash!”

He grabbed her arm and pulled her back. Then, he turned to glare at Eliza, his eyes blazing with fury. Though Sophie’s acting was painfully obvious, it worked like a charm on Matthew and the others.

Just kke now, Matthew had completely lost his cool.

If he had been thinking clearly, he would’ve noticed how Sophie kept glancing at him with every step she took.

was obvious she was testing him.

But Matthew, blinded by his emotions, actually thought Sophie was serious.

And not a single person around him, not even Gabriel, bothered to point it out.

“Eliza what exactly do you want? Matthew snapped “Break off your engagement with Diana, Eliza replied.

“You just can’t stand to see me with Diana, right? Matthew glared at her and asked.

“Yes, because you don’t deserve her, Eliza said coldly, and Matthew clenched his teeth, his eyes blazing with fury So, have you made up your mind yet?” Eliza pressed Seeing that Matthew stayed silent, the Black Flag captain stepped forward without hesitation before Eliza could even give the order, grabbing Sophie from behind Matthe “On, not This time, Sophie wasn’t faking it. Her Successfully unlocked!

“Stop it! Let her go. Let her go now Matthew charged forward, trying to save Sophie.

But it wasn’t going to be that simple The Black Flag captain dragged Sophie away while it –

their blades, the gleaming steel forming an immensi İ 300 Chapter 300 “No, help me, Matthew. Please save mel” Sophie cried out, “Matthew, what are you waiting for?”

As Sophie was about to be taken away, Matthew turned to his father, his voice shaking with anger and despair. ‘Father, it’s fine that you refuse to help me. But are you going to stand by and do nothing for Sophie?”

Gabriel looked at his son’s frantic state and finally sighed. “Don’t worry. She’ll be fine.”

‘After all, it’s just a trip to the prison, Gabriel thought, With me overseeing things, Sophie’s life won’t be in danger. But this time is different from last time. She’ll probably suffer a lot before she can get out‘

Hearing Gabriel’s words, Matthew took it to mean Gabriel didn’t care about Sophie anymore..

Just like when he was kidnapped, his father only saved Benedict.

Benedict is the child Father loves the most, he thought. It’s not me or Sophie. So, from the very beginning, I never had a choice. How laughable. I can’t hold on to anything. I had fought tooth and nail to keep my engagement, but in the end, I still lost because of my father.

A scalding tear slid down Matthew’s face as he shot a deep, resentful look at Gabriel. The hatred in his eyes was unmistakable Then, he turned to Eliza, his gaze equally filled with loathing. But this time, he made his decision.

“Fine! Fine!” Through gritted teeth, he said, “You win. I will break off the engagement. But don’t think for a second that this is over. Eliza, I’ll make you pay for this.”