Sophia turned to scan the surroundings. "Where's Nicole's brother?"

Ethan checked his wristwatch. "Ten more minutes."

She nodded slightly and dialed Vincent's number. "Master, has Madam shown any unusual behavior lately?"

A hoarse voice replied, "I've had her watched. Her phone's confiscated."

"We found Nicole, but she jumped into the river and escaped."

A long silence followed before Vincent responded, "This is more complicated than we thought."

"Exactly." Sophia cut straight to the point. "Please keep Madam and the second young lady under close watch. Nicole is our key witness."

"I'll summon Victoria to the house as well."

"Thank you, Master."

Vincent's voice turned grave. "If they're truly responsible, I'll personally deliver them to prison."

Sophia didn't comment, only murmuring, "Your eldest daughter suffered unjustly."

The line went silent for an extended moment.

After hanging up, she turned to Ethan. "Can we arrest them directly?"

"Without evidence, we can only bring them in for questioning."

Ten minutes later.

A black van pulled up by the roadside.

Bodyguards escorted out a gray-haired old man.

The elderly man's gaze was unfocused, his lips moving incessantly.

Sophia frowned.

This was Nicole's brother?

Ethan read her doubt. "She's cared for him over twenty years. She'll return."

The group headed back to Kyoto.

Dinner was at the Kyoto Grand Hotel.

Throughout the meal, Iris hovered around Kyle.

"Kyle, try this."

"Kyle, some tea?"

Kyle's brows remained tightly knit, his entire posture radiating resistance.

Amused, Sophia whispered to Ethan, "What do you think?"

He placed a piece of fish on her plate. "Focus on your meal."

As they exited the hotel, they nearly collided with Zane.

"Ethan! Sophia!" He greeted them enthusiastically.

Iris clung to Kyle. "Kyle, want to catch a movie tomorrow?"

"Busy."

"The day after?"

"Not in this lifetime."

Kyle strode off but paused when passing Sophia. "Contact me if needed."

Ethan tightened his arm around her. "I'll handle it."

When Iris tried to follow, Zane yanked her back.

"Iris, have some dignity."

"None of your business!"

Zane scoffed. "Love after a few meetings? How cheap."

"Love at first sight exists!"

"What does he have that I don't?"

Sudden silence fell.

Iris gaped. "Zane, you like me?"

He averted his gaze. "Worth a try."

"How many girlfriends have you had?"

"Already checking up on me?"

As Zane steered her away, Iris still craned her neck to call, "Kyle! Wait for me!"

The pair disappeared, bickering all the way.

Sophia couldn't suppress a laugh.

These two certainly lightened the recent gloom.