I Ctrl+Alt+Deleted My Ex and Ctrl+C'd His Uncle novel Chapter 174

“Tine, fine, I’ll tell you everything.”

Sophie knew Sherry Shaw always meant what she said. She immediately raised her hands in surrender and spilled the truth

“I’ve known from the start the baby was Marcus’s. But at first, I only wanted to keep the child. I didn’t plan on having much to do with Marcus hirnnelf, so I told no one.”

“Grandfather must’ve noticed something and guessed the truth–that’s why he locked me up.”

“And now?” Ethan Chandler cut in, his voice calm but firm. “What do you plan to do about you and Marcus?”

Sophie’s eyes flickered, instinctively looking away.

Sherry caught her hand, her tone layered with meaning.

“The Morgans are too dangerous, Sophie. You saw how the old man treated you. I don’t want to watch you jump into the fire.”

That was exactly what Ethan had been wanting to say. He remained silent, just watching, waiting for her answer.

“I know you’re worried, but this is my choice to make.”

The way Sophie said it left no room for argument. Before either of them could press further, she switched the subject.

“Ethan, Dad’s birthday is coming up. Bring them back. Marcus will deal with his grandfather, so Mom and Dad don’t need to hide anymore.”

“I’ll send for them tomorrow,” Ethan replied.

“Good. I’m going to rest now.”

Sophie waved and headed upstairs.

Once she was gone, Sherry spoke again.

“What’s Marcus’s stance right now? He seemed desperate to save Sophie, but with all the scandal online, why hasn’t he spoken up for her?”

Ethan’s expression darkened. “Wait and see.”

Sherry shot him a look of disdain. “You really can hold your tongue, can’t you?”

With that, she stormed out of the Chandler estate.

As soon as she got into her car, she opened her phone, sent a game invite to a friend, and typed a message:

‘Bad mood. Get online–I need to kill something.‘

The reply came fast:

‘Perfect. I’m pissed too. But don’t steal my kills, or I might actually lose it.‘

‘Stop whining. Just log in!”

Meanwhile, Ethan glanced at her screen, then joined the game himself. After a few rounds of intense combat, some of the anger in his chest finally

eased.

Chapter 174

In the chat window, the pink bubble avatar messaged him

That felt good. If only we could beat people up this easily in real life.”

Ethan replied:

‘Rough day?‘

‘My best friend’s surrounded by two useless guys. One just plays dead. The other just “waits and watches.” What’s so profound about saying “walt and see“? Do they think that makes them mysterious?”

Ethan exhaled softly, typing back:

‘Sometimes when you’re powerless, all you can do is wait.

His eyes darkened, fingers tightening around the phone. If this had been Liam, he could’ve gone and beaten him to a pulp. But against Marcus…that man was unfathomable. One wrong move could bring the whole Chandler family crashing down. He couldn’t act rashly.

‘You sound like you know men too well. You’re not secretly some guy pretending to be a girl, are you?

Ethan stared at the bubble avatar, conflicted.

This account had originally been Sophie’s. She’d been insulted in–game once, and Ethan had stepped in for her, meeting this pink bubble by chance. They’d become frequent teammates. Later, Sophie had given up gaming to devote herself to Liam. Ethan took over the account, letting the bubble believe he was still a girl. He’d never bothered to correct it.

He typed one last line:

‘It’s late. I’m logging off.‘

Sherry, just arriving home, saw his avatar go dark. She didn’t think much of it and went straight to bed.

The next morning, Ethan arranged for their parents‘ return to Riverland.

The Chandler household busied itself preparing for the birthday banquet.

Sophie kept to the house, resting, helping with arrangements, and rarely checking her phone. Online, the scandal over her pregnancy still burned hot, but no one in the family brought it up again.

Three days later, the banquet took place at the Grand Central Hotel. Every major figure in Riverland attended. Laughter and chatter filled the air, wine glasses clinking, the atmosphere bright.

Sophie teased her father, her voice playful.

“See, Dad? I told you–no one’s going to waste their time making trouble. Canceling the party would’ve been silly. Look at this, everyone’s enjoying themselves.”

Relief softened Mr. Chandler’s face. “As long as no one mentions the gossip online, I’m fine.”

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