Natalie Sullivan rose on her tiptoes, cradling Alexander Valentine's face in her hands.

Without hesitation, she pressed her lips to his.

Her soft mouth melded against his as her tongue slipped inside.

Alexander's breath hitched.

He instinctively tried to push her away, but she only clung tighter.

"Natalie..." His voice came out rough.

She ignored him, deepening the kiss.

Only when they were both gasping did she finally pull back.

"Alex," she murmured, eyes sparkling. "Your heart is racing."

He pinched her cheek in exasperation. "Stop teasing."

"I'm serious." Natalie pouted, pressing her body flush against his. She could feel his obvious arousal.

"You're like this and still holding back?"

Alexander inhaled sharply. "I don't want to hurt you."

"I don't consider this hurt." Her lips trembled. "Do you not like me?"

"That's not it."

"Then why do you keep rejecting me?"

His gaze darkened.

"My father...left scars." His voice dropped. "I refuse to become him."

Natalie's heart softened.

She wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her face against his chest.

"Alex, I'll protect you from now on."

He chuckled, ruffling her hair. "I should be the one protecting you."

"Then we'll protect each other." She tilted her face up.

"Deal." Alexander's promise held gravity. "After we're married, I'll never fail you."

Natalie's eyes curved into crescents.

She nuzzled his cheek. "You're already better than both our fathers combined."

——

In the study, Theodore Valentine suddenly sneezed.

"Catching a cold?" Theodore Sr. handed him a tissue.

Theodore shook his head, refocusing on the DNA report.

"Alexander takes after me. Sophia is definitely my daughter."

The elder Valentine snorted. "Her restoration talent comes from me."

"It's Benjamin Laurent's teaching."

"Innate genius!" Theodore Sr. glared.

——

At breakfast, Theodore Sr. beamed at the two couples while Theodore kept stealing glances at Sophia.

After the meal, he stopped her.

"Sophia, transfer your household registration back."

Her refusal was ice.

"Why?" Theodore frowned. "You'll inherit my assets."

"Vincent Laurent is my father."

His face darkened. "You married Ethan Sullivan for money before—"

"That was different." Sophia cut him off. "My mother went insane for twenty-four years because of you. I'll never acknowledge you."

Theodore stood speechless.

——

In the car, Ethan listened before laughing softly. "All he has left is money."

"I won't change my surname." Sophia was firm. "I'll carry on my grandfather's legacy."

"Ultimately, Natalie will get everything anyway." Ethan teased.

She arched a brow. "So you're selling out your sister?"

"I'm helping them."

Remembering Natalie's antics, Sophia burst into laughter.

——

The next evening, an assistant rushed in.

"Chairman Valentine, there's something—"

"Speak."

The assistant handed over a dossier. "Sophia's DNA report."

Theodore opened it carelessly.

When he saw the words "Not biologically related," his face drained of color.

The paper fluttered to the floor.

Darkness swallowed Theodore's vision as he collapsed.