The assistant finally snapped out of his shock.

He bolted upright, knocking his chair to the floor.

Without bothering to pick it up, he rushed toward the wedding altar.

The remote was nowhere in sight, so he yanked out the power cord instead.

The screen went dark instantly, and Dominic Durand's lecherous face finally disappeared.

The room fell dead silent.

Ethan Sullivan strode confidently to the center of the stage.

He picked up the microphone, his gaze sharp as it swept across the crowd. "The video just shown is pure slander. My legal team will pursue every legal recourse against those responsible. Sophia is my wife. We've been married for over three years. She stood by me during my darkest days, caring for me when I was ill. A woman of such loyalty and integrity is nothing like what was portrayed in that video."

Thunderous applause erupted from the audience.

Sophia clapped fervently, her palms burning.

Her eyes grew warm as she stared at his tall, commanding figure on stage.

The pain from his car accident was a wound he never spoke of—yet today, he bared it publicly for her sake.

Not only had he salvaged her reputation, but he'd also shown everyone her true kindness.

The engagement party soon resumed as normal.

After the event, Ethan sent Isabella a text: Garden. Now.

Isabella received the message with equal parts dread and anticipation.

She ultimately made her way to the garden.

Pushing open the door, she found Ethan standing with his back to her, bathed in sunlight, his posture as straight as a pine tree.

"Ethan?" She forced a sweet smile.

He turned, his eyes icy.

Slap!

A sharp crack echoed as his palm struck her cheek.

Isabella clutched her face, tears welling. "Why did you hit me?"

"You orchestrated Dominic's stunt."

"It wasn't me! I didn't even know Sophia would be here!"

"Pray it wasn't." His voice was frigid. "Or you'll face the consequences."

He walked away without another glance.

Furious, Isabella kicked a nearby flowerpot.

The glass door creaked open.

Adrian Sullivan leaned against the frame, eyeing her reddened cheek. "My fiancée, slapped by her ex? How pitiful."

"Get lost!"

His expression darkened as he suddenly pinned her against the wall. "Watch your tone. Or I'll make your life a living hell."

Though his tone was light, his eyes were as cold as a serpent's.

A shiver ran down Isabella's spine—she suddenly regretted the engagement.

After leaving, Ethan immediately got into Victor Sullivan's car.

"What is it?" Victor frowned.

"Was the screen incident your doing?"

"Do you really think so little of me?"

"Haven't you made things difficult for her enough?"

"It wasn't me!" Victor's face darkened with anger.

Ethan pushed the door open and stepped out, waiting for Sophia by the roadside.

The way he smoked was mesmerizing, drawing more than a few admiring glances.

When Sophia approached, he stubbed out his cigarette. "You okay?"

"I'm fine." She smiled. "Gossip can't hurt me."

"I've handled it. Stay off social media for a while."

Sophia wrapped her arms around his waist. "Thank you."

"I'd love for you to rely on me every day."

"You'd get sick of me."

Ethan chuckled. "I wouldn't dare. I'd be too afraid you'd run off to find Kyle."

"That joke isn't funny," she chided.

His eyes darkened. It wasn't a joke.

Back home, Sophia immediately called her mother.

"Mom, did you see the broadcast?"

"I did! I was just about to hunt that bastard down!" Grace Langley seethed. "He never raised you for a single day, yet he has the nerve to accuse you of neglecting him!"

"Give me the address. I'll bring people over."

"No need! I can handle this!" Grace's tone was unusually firm.

Sophia sensed her mother was hiding something.

"Then take bodyguards with you."

"They're all with me. Don't worry!"

After hanging up, Grace stormed into Dominic's shabby rented house with her security team.

"Dominic, you rat! Open up!" She pounded on the door.

The moment Dominic cracked it open and saw the bodyguards, he tried to slam it shut.

Grace shoved her way inside, instructing the guards to wait outside.

"What do you want?" Dominic snarled.

Grace grabbed his collar. "How dare you go on TV? What right do you have to claim Sophia?"

"Because I'm your ex-husband!" He sneered. "You're living the high life—you owe me a cut."

Slap! Grace struck him hard across the face. "You don't deserve a damn thing!"

They scuffled violently.

"Help!" Grace shouted.

The bodyguards began kicking the door.

Suddenly, a sharp pain exploded at the back of her head.

Grace turned to see Darren Durand raising a wooden bat.

Another blow—darkness swallowed her vision as she collapsed.

"Quick! Drag her to the hidden room!" Dominic said excitedly.

They stashed the unconscious Grace inside the secret chamber.

The bodyguards finally broke down the door.

"She ran out the back!" Dominic lied.

After a fruitless search, the guards had no choice but to leave.

Once the coast was clear, Dominic dialed Sophia's number:

"Your mother is with me. If you want her alive, bring me a billion. And besides the ransom... I'll throw in a little secret."