The auction ended, and Sophia Laurent walked out of the venue with the painting in her arms.

Zane Riveron caught up to her, his smile dazzling. "Miss Laurent, six million for the deal?"

Sophia paused, the corners of her lips lifting slightly. "You're decisive, Mr. Riveron."

"Shall we find a place to sign the contract?" He glanced at his watch. "I have a business meeting scheduled. Mind joining me?"

"No problem."

They drove to the Kyoto Grand Hotel.

Inside the private room, a server brought them tea.

Zane propped his chin on one hand, his gaze burning as he studied Sophia. "You're so young, yet your expertise is remarkable."

Sophia took a sip of tea. "My mentors are Benjamin Laurent and Vincent Grandelle."

Zane's eyes widened. "So you're the legendary restoration prodigy from the antique world!"

He eagerly extended his hand. "I've heard so much about you!"

Sophia frowned slightly, subtly avoiding his touch.

Iris Evans, noticing this, quickly shook Zane's hand instead. "I'm Iris Evans."

Zane withdrew his hand, unimpressed. "Iris the Hawk? Interesting name."

An assistant arrived with the contract.

Just as Sophia opened the document, Zane's phone rang.

"My VIP client has arrived." He straightened his suit. "This one has quite the temper—I need to greet him personally."

Sophia nodded. "Go ahead."

Before leaving, Zane turned back. "Miss Laurent, you're not just beautiful, but so understanding too."

The flirtatious compliment reminded Sophia of Ethan Sullivan.

He would always look into her eyes and say, "You're beautiful"—three simple words that made her heart race.

A sharp pang suddenly twisted in her chest.

She quickly lowered her head to review the contract, her fingers trembling faintly.

In the hotel lobby, Zane spotted a tall, imposing figure and jogged over.

"Ethan!" He grinned, slinging an arm over the man's shoulder. "If I were a woman, I'd marry you."

Ethan coldly shrugged him off.

"I just acquired an authentic Fan Kuan masterpiece," Zane boasted as they walked. "The seller had an incredible eye—snagged it for five hundred grand and flipped it to me for six million."

Ethan's steps faltered.

"She's Benjamin Laurent's protégé, stunning like a fairy." Zane grew more animated. "I’m thinking of pursuing her, making her my lucky charm—"

Before he could finish, a glacial glare cut through him.

Zane stiffened.

Ethan's voice was razor-sharp. "Say that again."

"J-just a pretty girl..." Zane stammered.

Inside the elevator, Ethan stared fixedly at the ascending floor numbers.

His assistant moved to ring the doorbell, but Ethan stopped him.

The moment the door opened, his breath hitched.

Sophia looked up. Their eyes locked.

The air seemed to freeze.

"What are you doing here?" Her voice was tight.

Zane squeezed in. "This is Mr. Sullivan, CEO of Sullivan Group." He turned to Ethan. "This is the one I mentioned—"

Leaning closer, he whispered, "The more I look at her, the more I’m smitten. I’ve decided to chase her."

Ethan’s expression turned deadly.

He seized Zane’s wrist with crushing force.

"She’s mine." His voice was ice. "Try it, and you’re dead."