Sophia gently pushed Ethan's embrace away. "I need to change."

Ethan gazed down at her, his eyes soft with tenderness. "I'll wait."

"No need." She pressed the bouquet and milk tea into his hands, then draped her blazer over his arm. "I drove here myself."

The July sun blazed mercilessly. Wearing a blazer in this heat was unbearable.

It was just a sleeveless dress—bare arms weren't scandalous. Why the fuss?

Inside the dressing room, the makeup artist tidied her tools and hurried over.

"Ms. Laurent, your face is wasted outside the entertainment industry," the artist marveled, studying Sophia's delicate features in the mirror.

Sophia removed her earrings and set them on the counter. "Acting requires talent. I'm better suited to antiques."

"True. Your field values experience," the artist said, accepting the other earring. "But the entry barrier is steep."

"A minute on stage takes ten years of practice."

When Sophia emerged, she was surprised to find Ethan still waiting.

The impeccably suited man stood holding flowers in one hand and milk tea in the other—an oddly endearing contrast.

"Why are you still here?"

Ethan's lips curved. "Picking up my girlfriend is only natural."

The word "girlfriend" sent a tremor through Sophia.

Married at twenty, she'd never known courtship.

"Oliver was right—persistence wins hearts," Ethan said intently. "This is my first time pursuing someone. Give me a chance?"

Sophia shook her head helplessly.

This had to be history's most bizarre divorce.

Outside, Ethan suggested, "Let's have dinner."

"But we—"

"What's there to fear?" he interrupted. "The Chu family matter is Adrian's problem now. As for my father—he wouldn't dare touch you."

Sophia recalled the nitroglycerin.

Victor Sullivan was clearly terrified.

While she hesitated, Ethan guided her into his car.

In the enclosed space, her subtle fragrance teased his senses.

He took her right hand, his thumb tracing her slender fingers—fingers that had once given him ecstasy.

His throat moved as he kissed her knuckles, teeth grazing the delicate skin.

Sophia glimpsed the desire darkening his eyes and missed a heartbeat.

"We're divorced," she reminded him softly.

Ethan chuckled. "We'll remarry."

He said it with absolute certainty, as though reciting an inevitable prophecy.

Kyoto Grand Hotel, Autumn Moon Room.

Sophia froze in the doorway.

The round table was crowded: Victor Sullivan, Zachary Riveron and his daughter, plus unfamiliar faces.

"Sophia the Prodigy!" Zane Riveron stood eagerly. "Dad, this is the authentication genius I told you about!"

Victor clenched a familiar glass vial, his expression stormy.

Zachary's eyes lit up. "Young lady, I hear you replicate ancient paintings?"

"I dabble."

"Fan Kuan's Travelers Among Mountains—ten million. Can you copy it?" Zachary raised a finger.

Sophia's pulse jumped. The offer far exceeded market rates.

"I'd need to examine the original at the Taipei Palace Museum."

"Another five million!" Zachary declared. "As long as it's indistinguishable."

Noticing Victor's ashen face, Sophia suddenly smiled.

"Deal."

She'd prove her worth to them all.

Her gaze landed on the vial in Victor's grip. This time, she couldn't suppress her laughter.