Adrian Sullivan's breath hitched.

His eyes locked onto the surveillance app interface on his phone screen.

Cold sweat trickled down his spine.

Victor Sullivan's confused voice crackled through the listening device: "Ethan, what nonsense are you saying? Adrian would never do such a thing!"

Ethan let out a cold laugh.

He dialed his assistant. "Bring a signal detector immediately."

Ten minutes later.

The assistant entered the office holding a black device.

The detector emitted a shrill beep.

It finally pinpointed the Pixiu ornament by the entrance.

The assistant pried a tiny listening device from the figurine's crevice.

"Found it, Mr. Sullivan."

Ethan took the device and tossed it to Victor.

"Evidence doesn't lie. Any excuses now?"

Victor stared at the black gadget in his palm, fingers trembling slightly.

He couldn't believe his eldest son—his protégé—would do this.

Rage and disappointment twisted inside him.

He grabbed the landline and dialed Adrian's number.

"Was this your doing?"

Adrian's voice came out hoarse. "What are you talking about?"

"The bug in my office! Who else could it be? Get your ass here now!"

Dead silence filled the line.

Adrian wouldn't dare show his face.

Victor slammed the receiver down.

Minutes ticked by with no sign of his son.

His fury gradually cooled.

Turning to Ethan, he said, "Leave the documents. I'll handle this."

Ethan's gaze turned icy. "More cover-ups?"

"He's my son! Should I call the police on him?"

"This is about principles."

"Maybe he was just curious—"

Ethan's lips curled sarcastically. "If he holds a knife to your throat someday, will you praise his filial piety?"

"You pissed all over me as a toddler and I never held it against you!"

"Keep enabling him then."

Victor waved impatiently. "Get out!"

Ethan turned on his heel and left.

Thirty minutes later.

Victor pushed open Adrian's office door.

Adrian looked up, feigning composure.

"Why?" Victor demanded. "Was Shane's attack your doing too?"

Adrian shook his head violently.

"Better not be." Victor's eyes flicked to a photo frame on the desk. "I failed your mother, but that doesn't give you license for recklessness."

When the door closed, Adrian grabbed the frame and hurled it against the floor.

Amid the shattered glass, his mother's gentle smile fractured into pieces.

He dropped to his knees, fingers bleeding from glass cuts.

"Why did you leave me..." he whispered to the photo. "Now everyone's stealing what's mine..."

Meanwhile, Ethan was calling Shane.

"Adrian's mouth—your handiwork?"

"Yeah."

"Good job." Ethan paused. "But next time, think first."

Shane chuckled. "Depends on my mood."

"He'll run to the old man."

"Do I care?"

Ethan hung up with a sigh.

Night fell.

Ethan returned home to find Sophia missing from the living room.

"Sophia?" His heart skipped a beat.

Her voice came through the phone from the third floor. "On the terrace."

He took the stairs two at a time.

Sophia leaned against the railing, gazing toward Building 1.

He wrapped his arms around her from behind.

"What are you looking at?"

"Shane seems to have moved back." She turned. "I steamed some crabs. Thought I'd bring him some."

Ethan arched a brow. "Since when do you dote on him?"

"Kindred spirits, that's all."

Ethan pulled out his phone. "I'll summon him."

The call connected.

"Come eat crabs," Ethan said bluntly.

"No thanks."

"Sophia made them just for you."

Sophia pinched his arm. "Be polite!"

Ethan cleared his throat. "We'd love to have you."

After a beat, Shane agreed. "Fine."

Sophia leaned toward the phone. "Bring Luna."

Thirty minutes later, the doorbell rang.

Luna presented Sophia with an elegant pot of Cymbidium orchids.

"For you," she said, handing over the blooms.

During dinner, Ethan placed a crab on Shane's plate.

"Sophia's cooking beats five-star hotels."

Sophia's ears turned pink.

Shane and Luna exchanged amused glances.

Luna played along. "Absolutely delicious."

Ethan pushed the entire platter toward Shane. "Have more."

Shane meticulously extracted crab roe for Luna.

She reciprocated by feeding him shelled meat.

Watching them, Sophia's lips curved unconsciously.

Even the formidable Shane had this tender side.

After seeing their guests out, Sophia lay in bed stroking her abdomen.

"I really want a baby..."

Ethan rolled atop her.

"Prayers won't help." He nibbled her earlobe. "I can make it happen tonight."

Sophia looped her arms around his neck.

"What are we waiting for?"