The night deepened as crystal chandeliers cast a soft glow through the hotel lobby.

Sophia Laurent tightened her grip on the briefcase handle after bidding farewell to Vincent Laurent and the Fu father-son duo. The priceless Cizhou Kiln white-glazed pear-shaped vase inside demanded her utmost vigilance.

Ethan Fu suddenly reached out. "Let me carry it."

His fingertips brushed the back of her hand, making Sophia recoil as if shocked. Such delicate artifacts couldn't withstand rough handling. She gave a slight nod. "Thank you."

During the elevator descent, Vincent lingered behind to take a call. Noticing this, Howard Fu slowed his pace, granting his son a private moment.

Outside, icy winds howled.

Sophia pulled her beige coat tighter as strands of hair danced in the wind. Ethan studied her profile. "It's been an honor meeting you today, Miss Laurent."

"Thank you." Her polite reply came with an outstretched hand for the briefcase.

Ethan held firm. "Allow me to escort you home."

"That won't be necessary." Her tone cooled.

As they stood locked in silent tension, a black Maybach glided soundlessly to the curb. The window lowered, revealing Ethan Sullivan's sharply defined jawline.

"Get in." His voice carried winter's bite.

Relief washed over Sophia as she turned to Ethan Fu. "Will you still restore the vase?"

"Of course." Only then did he relinquish the case, his gaze lingering on Ethan Sullivan's frosty expression. "Contact me when it's done."

The moment the car door closed, strong arms pulled her into an embrace.

"Waiting long?" Sophia rested against his shoulder.

"Long enough to review three financial reports." His fingers twirled through her hair. "A client introduced by Uncle Vincent?"

"Yes. Howard Fu brought a Cizhou Kiln for restoration." She tilted her face upward. "His son joined unexpectedly."

Ethan exhaled sharply, his thumb tracing circles on her nape—a telltale sign Sophia recognized instantly. He was restraining jealousy.

"They admire Sophia Laurent, the heiress and restoration expert." She whispered against his ear, "Only Mr. Sullivan loves me even when I'm covered in paint."

The tension in his jaw finally eased as he pinched her earlobe in warning. "Remember that."

When the car stopped at the Laurent residence, Sophia arched an eyebrow in surprise.

"Spend more time with your father." Ethan adjusted her scarf. "Father-daughter reunions are rare."

Upstairs, her phone vibrated abruptly. The dinner invitation from Ethan Fu made Ethan Sullivan narrow his eyes.

"I have a partner." Sophia replied instantly before meeting his darkening gaze.

Ethan produced two booklets from his inner pocket, slapping them onto the nightstand. With a laugh, Sophia pounced, pressing kisses along his prominent Adam's apple.

"Uncle Vincent's room is next door," she cautioned in a whisper.

"Then you'll have to stay quiet." He captured her earlobe between his teeth while deft fingers loosened the silk robe.

Moonlight filtered through sheer curtains, casting intertwined shadows on the wall.

At dawn, Vincent stood by floor-to-ceiling windows answering an international call. A woman's voice, gentle as spring water, murmured, "Someone's asking about events from twenty years ago."

"Qiu Wan?" His fingers trembled.

"It's me." A soft laugh traveled through the line. "They asked if I'd ever borne your child."

Vincent's gaze lifted to the second-floor balcony where Sophia stood bathed in morning light, her white dress mirroring Evelyn Grandelle's breathtaking beauty from years past.

"Her name is Sophia Laurent. Twenty-three." His voice turned hoarse. "The person I'd give my life to protect."

The line stayed silent before Qiu Wan finally spoke. "I'll claim her as mine. My six-month leave from university aligns perfectly with the timeline."

As the call ended, Vincent locked eyes with Sophia above. Sunlight gilded her silhouette, her smile piercing his heart like shrapnel—the haunting resemblance to Evelyn, destroyed by Theodore Valentine's cruelty.