The examination room door swung open.

Ethan Sullivan's tall frame appeared in the doorway, his slender fingers fastening the last button of his dress shirt.

Sophia Laurent's gaze swept over his face.

Seeing his composed expression, the knot in her chest loosened slightly.

She hated when he bottled up his anger.

That silent treatment was more suffocating than any heated argument.

"Water?" She took the thermos from the bodyguard.

Ethan accepted the cup, his fingertips brushing against the back of her hand. "Just an EKG. Nothing to worry about."

"Was the doctor male or female?" Sophia suddenly asked.

Ethan arched an eyebrow, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Since when did you become possessive? It was a female doctor originally. I requested a change."

A faint smile touched Sophia's lips. "I don't like others touching you."

She rarely displayed jealousy.

This deliberate act was solely meant to provoke Victor Sullivan standing nearby.

"That controlling?" Ethan pinched the tip of her nose.

"Only with you." Sophia linked her arm through his.

Their intimate posture made Victor's eyes burn.

His meticulously groomed heir was now being led around by some art restorer.

To Victor, no matter how talented Sophia was, she remained merely a craftsman—unworthy of the Sullivan name.

What infuriated him more was even Richard Grant defended her.

Absurd!

By noon, all tests were completed.

After lunch, Victor prepared to leave.

Ethan sent Sophia away and intercepted him.

"Try this again, and I won't hold back." Ethan's voice was glacial.

Victor's face darkened. "You'd cut ties with me over a woman?"

"Compared to Kyle's father, you're not even one-tenth the man." Ice crystallized in Ethan's eyes. "It took me months to rebuild our relationship. You destroyed it in minutes."

"You eavesdropped?" Victor's pupils contracted.

Ethan smirked coldly. "Before the exam, I left my phone recording in Sophia's bag. Quite the enlightening conversation—forcing her to marry within ten days? How despicable."

"Bastard!" Veins bulged on Victor's forehead. "Defending an outsider against your own father?"

"She's not an outsider." Each word was deliberate. "When I was at my lowest, she stayed. She matters far more than you."

The words struck like a whip.

Victor's prized heir claimed a woman surpassed him!

"That gold-digger who abandoned you deserves this?" Victor sneered.

Ethan's gaze turned razor-sharp. "One more insult, and I won't be civil."

Though spoken calmly, the threat carried unprecedented weight.

Victor trembled with rage before storming out, slamming the door behind him.

Sophia returned with peppermints just as Victor's furious figure disappeared down the hall.

"Fight?" She pushed open the hospital room door.

Ethan ignored the question, eyeing the mints instead. "Feed me."

Sophia unwrapped a mint and placed the cool candy between his lips.

"You used to do this when I refused medicine." Ethan's voice softened unexpectedly.

Sophia froze. "Why bring that up now?"

His intense gaze held hers. "Stay. I'll give you everything I own."

Her eyes reddened instantly. "We agreed not to discuss this."

"My assets are worth billions." His voice dropped lower. "So don't marry for money. I'll give you more."

Sophia jerked her head up. "You heard us?"

"Every word. Recorded it."

"I only said those things to anger your father." Sophia rushed to explain.

Ethan clasped her hand. "I know. No matter what, I'm on your side."

With a sigh, Sophia buried her face against his neck. "I must've owed you in a past life."

Ethan's tense muscles finally relaxed.

Meanwhile, at the Sullivan estate...

Willow Grant steeped tea for Richard's return.

"How were the test results?" Her voice was gentle.

"Nothing concerning." Richard removed his coat.

Willow lifted the kettle. "Which blend?"

"Pu'erh."

The kettle crashed to the floor.

Richard had casually mentioned, "Ran into Victor Sullivan at the hospital today."

Willow's face drained of color.