Isabella Valentine pushed open the private room door with a sway of her hips, her stiletto heels clicking sharply against the floor.

Victoria Windsor was laughing over a glass of red wine with several society ladies.

"Mom!" Isabella whispered urgently in her ear. "Sophia is actually Vincent Laurent's biological daughter!"

The wineglass slipped from Victoria's fingers, spilling crimson across the tablecloth.

She dabbed at the stain with forced composure. "Say that again."

"Vincent Laurent! The heir to the Laurent Group—the famous painter!" Isabella's voice dripped with resentment. "Ethan told me himself."

Victoria's face darkened as she pulled her daughter into the hallway.

Around the corner, she hissed through clenched teeth, "How did that country girl get connected to the Laurent family?"

"Who knows? Probably some love child." Isabella smirked. "Ethan's completely obsessed with her now."

Victoria narrowed her eyes. "Vincent did have quite the reputation in his youth. Rumor has it he was involved with Evelyn Grandelle. Later he took up with some cheap replacement and got disowned."

"Replacement?" Isabella's eyes lit up.

"Some woman from the gutter." Victoria's lips curled. "Sophia must be her spawn."

Isabella brightened immediately. "I knew she wasn't good enough for Ethan."

"Enough. Be patient with Adrian." Victoria patted her daughter's hand. "Men just need proper training."

Isabella pouted. "But I still want Ethan—"

"Quiet!" Victoria snapped. "Don't let Adrian hear that!"

Meanwhile, in the VIP suite atop the hotel...

Vincent Laurent carefully poured tea for Sophia.

"I can do it—" She started to rise, but he gently pressed her back down.

"Let me fulfill my duties as a father." His smile was warm, though his eyes gleamed suspiciously.

Sophia noticed the pale band on his ring finger. "My mother...?"

His hand trembled almost imperceptibly.

"Her health isn't good." He avoided her searching gaze. "When the time is right, I'll take you to see her."

Sophia pressed her lips together. "What's her name?"

The air turned leaden.

"Not yet." Vincent's voice roughened. "There are things I need to confirm first."

As tension thickened, the door swung open.

Ethan Sullivan strode in, his gaze flickering between them.

"You ordered all my favorites?" He arched a brow at the lavish spread.

Sophia's ears pinkened. "It was convenient."

Vincent spoke abruptly. "Why did you divorce?"

The temperature seemed to plummet.

"Social differences." Sophia kept her tone light.

Vincent gave a cold laugh. "My daughter wasn't good enough for you?"

"She was." Ethan met his stare unflinchingly. "I wasn't good enough for Sophia."

The answer softened Vincent's expression slightly.

After dinner, Ethan unexpectedly demanded a paternity test.

Vincent produced a sealed envelope from his bag. "Already prepared."

"I want fresh hair samples." Ethan stood his ground.

Their glares locked in silent combat until Sophia intervened.

The next day, the test results reached Ethan.

His frown deepened as he read the final page.

[To Be Continued...]