The Doormat Wife’s Ultimate Glow-Up novel Chapter 416

He rapped his knuckles on the security door. The peephole darkened, and after a pause, the door cracked open just enough for someone to peek out.

Sofia’s face appeared in the gap. When she saw Nathaniel standing there, her expression changed in an instant. “Mr. Phillips?”

Nathaniel didn’t wait for an invitation. He shoved his way inside, closed the door behind him, and leaned against it, breathing hard. His eyes were sharp and intense. “Matthew set me up. I need somewhere to hide. I need to stay here until all this blows over.”

Sofia automatically stepped back, her eyes full of panic and resistance. “No. Mr. Phillips, it’s too dangerous here. The police could show up any minute. I can’t let you stay.”

She hadn’t expected this at all. Nathaniel, showing up at her door, desperate for a place to hide. This apartment had been arranged by Grace for emergencies. After coming back, Sofia knew Bailey was keeping his distance, and she didn’t go back to the Meyer family’s villa. She’d planned to keep a low profile. If anyone found out she was tied to Nathaniel, she could forget about helping Grace. She’d go down with him.

Nathaniel’s gaze darkened. This was his own daughter, the only family he had left. He’d sent her and Grace to the Meyer family for a better life. He had watched her from afar, quietly smoothing her path, never daring to reveal himself for her safety. But now, when he was truly in need, she couldn’t get away fast enough. She didn’t even hesitate.

He swallowed back a mix of bitterness and anger, the corner of his mouth twisting into a cold smile. “You really think you’ve got a choice? If you refuse me, and I get caught, do you want to guess what I’ll tell the police? Do you think Bailey will still want you as his daughter? What do you think the cops will do to you?”

All the color drained from Sofia’s face. She started to shake.

Seeing her break, Nathaniel changed tactics. “Let me stay until this is over, and I’ll keep my promises. I’ll ruin Reese for you. Everything you wanted will still be yours.”

On one side, disgrace and ruin. On the other, everything she’d ever dreamed about.

Sofia’s eyes flickered with indecision, then slowly hardened. She bit her lip, as if she could taste her own fear, and finally nodded. “Fine. You can stay. But only in the guest room. Don’t come out. Don’t cause any trouble.”

Nathaniel shot up from the bed and strode over to the door, yanking it open.

Sofia was in the living room pacing, lost in her own worries. She jumped when she heard the door.

“You… why are you out here?” she stammered.

Nathaniel crossed the room in a few long strides and grabbed her by the collar, his voice tight with barely controlled anger. “You’re going to tell me what’s going on. Now.”

Sofia’s face went pale with fear. “Mr… Mr. Phillips, what are you talking about?”