I Ctrl+Alt+Deleted My Ex and Ctrl+C'd His Uncle novel Chapter 171

Chapter 171

A faint white mist seeped into the cabin. Sophie immediately covered her nose.

“Don’t worry. The smoke won’t harm the child. You’ll just sleep for a while–by the time you wake, the results will be ready.”

The old patriarch rose to his feet and left. Sophie’s head grew heavy, her eyelids fluttered a few times, then darkness claimed her.

Ethan Chandler had just wrapped up company business when he returned home. The moment he reached the gates, he sensed something was off

The black–clad guards hid their presence well, but Ethan had spent too many years abroad to be fooled so easily. He slipped inside the house without a sound.

“You must be Sophie’s big brother!”

A girl’s voice startled him. He looked down to see a petite figure at the door–Sherry Shaw. Her little face was knotted in worry, anxiety written all over her eyes.

“I haven’t been able to reach Sophie all day. Do you know where she is?”

Ethan frowned. “Why are you here?”

“Is that really the point right now?” Sherry was practically frantic. “Sophie’s been missing the whole day and you’re this calm? Aren’t you her brother?”

Her shrill voice grated on him, but Ethan still pulled out his phone and dialed Sophie’s number as he headed upstairs.

The ringtone echoed from the second floor. He pushed open the door–empty.

Sherry darted in, snatching up the phone vibrating on the desk.

“See? Her phone’s still here, but she’s gone. She’s in trouble, I’m telling you!”

Ethan’s eyes hardened. “Who exactly are you?”

“I’m Sherry Shaw. Sophie’s best friend.” Her voice turned deadly serious.

“The moment I couldn’t reach her, I tried tracing her location–but nothing. I broke into the Chandler house because I’m worried about her safety. I’m not the enemy. We need to work together to find her.”

Ethan studied her closely, but there was no deception in her expression. He remembered Sophie mentioning her name before. For now, he chose to

believe her.

“Why are you so calm?” Sherry snapped. “She’s your sister!”

Ethan ignored the jab, sliding Sophie’s phone toward her.

“She said you’re a top hacker. Finding Marcus shouldn’t be too hard for you.”

Sherry glanced at the lock screen. A single line of text flashed there:

If you can’t find me, go to Marcus immediately. Don’t trust the people outside. Don’t alert them.

Her face darkened. “Take me to your study.”

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Ethan didn’t answer–he simply led her there.

Sherry dropped into the chair and began typing furiously, her delicate face tightened in fierce concentration, an odd contrast to her doll–like looks.

Ethan stood watch at the door, his hand in his pocket tightening unconsciously. His calm expression was nothing but a mask–inside, he was anything

but calm.

He had seen this coming the moment the Chandler family got dragged into the Morgans‘ mess. Last night, he’d secretly sent their parents out of Riverland. He had planned to hide Sophie today, but he was too late.

Now, trusting Sherry was his only choice.

Sophie woke to find herself inside a grand hall, its gilded dome glittering like something from a medieval court.

“The test is back. You should be grateful–the child is Marcus’s.”

The patriarch sat casually on a sofa, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

Sophie pushed herself up, relieved to feel the baby unharmed.

“You have the result. What now?”

A thin smile tugged at his lips. “He’s my grandson, the rightful blood of the Morgans. Of course I’ll protect him–until the day he’s safely born.”

Her brows drew together. “You mean to imprison me?”

“No need to make it sound so ugly.” His smile was pure pretense. “I told you–this is protection.”

“This child is mine. He has nothing to do with your family,” she shot back, her voice ice.

“You’re too young to see clearly.” His tone was almost lazy.

“Whether the child belongs to the Morgans isn’t for you to decide. Marcus is ambitious but weak–he’s already failed me. That child you carry will be our family’s only hope.”

“Until you give birth, you’ll remain here. After that, you’ll have your freedom.”

He rose and walked away. Sophie staggered to her feet and followed, only to stop short at the sight beyond the hall.

Water. Endless, rolling sea stretching to the horizon.

She was on an island.

There was no escape.

Mr. Lewis, the butler, appeared at her side.

“The sea air is chilly, Miss Chandler. Best return inside for dinner. You’re carrying/precious life now. Don’t risk your health out of spite.”

Her hands clenched at her sides, but she turned back toward the hall.

As long as the child lived, the old man wouldn’t harm her.

For now, all she could do was wait.

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