Poof! Wife Status, ERASED

Chapter 20: Are You Even Worthy?

Dowry?

Ethan Vanderbilt shoved the jewelry box with such force that it crashed to the floor, scattering precious gems everywhere.

Among them were Sophia Roberts' favorites—Tahitian black pearls and a cat's eye brooch.

The sight reminded Ethan of his first PR crisis after taking over the company. Back then, exhausted from overwork, he'd gotten into a car accident. Sophia had stayed by his bedside while simultaneously holding a press conference as Mrs. Vanderbilt to salvage the situation.

At the time, his childhood friends had envied him, saying he'd married a remarkable woman and should cherish her.

He'd immediately gathered countless rare treasures and laid them at her feet, but she'd only chosen two.

She said Tahitian black pearls were rare, and the cat's eye brooch was a masterpiece—just like their hard-won love.

Back then, he'd vowed never to let her suffer again. He'd even gotten a vasectomy for her sake.

But now… what had he done?

Isabella Thompson's repeated seductions had stirred his desires. In bed with her, he'd rediscovered a long-lost passion, using her as an outlet for all his business frustrations.

This indulgence was like poison, slowly addicting him.

He'd even foolishly convinced himself that he'd only made the same mistake every man makes. Compared to those who cycled through women, he'd only slept with one.

Besides, Isabella was timid and obedient. She owed Sophia for her education—she'd never dare expose their affair to her.

But he'd been deceived. The meek and submissive Isabella had turned out to be insatiable.

Sophia thought he was filthy. She didn't want him anymore.

Isabella, desperate to secure her status through pregnancy, had slept with other men behind his back.

He'd lost the treasure he once held dear and ended up covered in filth.

And the cruelest joke of all? His own mother and sister had taken the wrong side, even hurling insults at Sophia.

"I'm not crazy! I won't let you hurt her anymore."

"Sophia's just angry. She loves me—if I just apologize, she'll forgive me."

Yet as he said those words, his voice lacked conviction.

Margaret Vanderbilt's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Ethan Vanderbilt! When will you wake up? Sophia is dead! What you need to do now is win back your father's favor and return to the company!"

"I always said that woman was trouble—useless for heirs, untouchable, like some sacred relic! I never should've let her into this family!"

She ranted on and on, only to look up and find her son already gone.

Today marked Sophia Holt's first public appearance in the country. As Grace Williams' leading lady, she stood alongside the notoriously press-shy Hollywood investor Christopher Holt, showering the media with sweet moments.

While the focus was on their upcoming film, questions about her late twin sister, Sophia Roberts, were inevitable.

Sophia Holt handled every inquiry flawlessly, her charm skyrocketing her fan count past ten million.

Then Olivia Smith's PR team struck with a sharp question: "How do you feel about Sophia Roberts' death?"

Nearly two years had passed, and Sophia Holt's perspective had changed entirely.

"I didn't understand her back then—why would she take her own life over a man? But after stepping into her world, I've realized something. Beautiful love stories aren't rare. She just loved the wrong person."

The crowd murmured in agreement. No one noticed the man in the shadows, his eyes bloodshot as he stared at the stage.

Hearing those words—"loved the wrong person"—Ethan nearly charged forward, desperate to explain that he had loved her, that Isabella had manipulated him…

But bodyguards blocked his path. He couldn't get close.

He finally caught her in the underground parking lot—only to watch her throw herself into Christopher's arms. They kissed, embraced, then drove off together.

Ethan's face drained of color. He knew—that was Sophia!

Seeing her with another man felt like a thousand needles piercing his heart, the pain stealing his breath.

It made him wonder: Had Sophia suffered like this when he'd been with Isabella?

By the time the car started moving, it was too late. He lunged forward—

Only to be met with a fist to his face.

"Ah—!" He staggered and fell.

Christopher Holt looked down at him like he was garbage.

"You! What kind of trick did you play on her? She loves me—tell her to come home!"

Christopher scoffed, delivering punch after punch until Ethan lay battered on the ground.

Only when blood spilled from Ethan's lips did Christopher pull out a handkerchief, wiping his hands before standing.

"Love you? Love your betrayal? Or your cheating?"

Ethan's face was deathly pale. For the first time in his life, shame drowned him.

He was filthy. What right did he have to beg for forgiveness?

"Go home?" Christopher sneered. "Are you even worthy?"