Sophia's tongue slipped between Ethan's lips with practiced ease.

Their breaths tangled instantly in the charged air.

She teased him with alternating dominance and tenderness, pulling him into a whirlpool of ecstasy.

Ethan's restraint shattered completely. His hands found her slender waist before sliding down the curve of her hips to the hem of her nightgown.

Gazing up at Sophia, he watched her move with butterfly grace, dark hair tracing seductive arcs through the air.

Her eyes shimmered with liquid desire.

The neckline of her nightgown gaped slightly, revealing delicate collarbones and the tantalizing slope of her shoulders.

Innocence and sensuality merged perfectly in her.

Ethan's Adam's apple bobbed. "What's your dowry offer, Ms. Laurent?"

Sophia parted crimson lips. "Three hundred."

"Dollars?"

"Won."

He chuckled darkly. Three hundred Korean won barely equaled two dollars.

The mighty CEO of Sullivan Group reduced to pocket change.

"Such generosity." He flipped their positions, pinning her beneath him. "Then I'll make sure you get your money's worth."

......

The next morning found Sophia massaging her sore lower back as she accompanied Shane to the airport.

At security, Shane's phone rang abruptly.

"Now?" He frowned at Sophia after hanging up. "Detective North needs us for questioning."

Sophia immediately dialed Professor Moore.

"Professor, we'll need to postpone our arrival by a few days."

Hanging up, she firmly linked arms with Shane. "I'm coming with you."

In the police vehicle, Detective North cut to the chase: "Your father's memory is failing. We need you to identify some burial sites."

Shane nodded silently, jaw clenched tight enough to crack teeth.

The convoy headed toward Prescott Village.

Golden sunset bathed the Prescott Mountains as Shane led the team through dense woods, precisely pointing out each refilled looting tunnel.

"Here. And there." His voice held terrifying calm.

Night fell.

Shane stood motionless under the old wutong tree in the family courtyard when Victor Sullivan's voice crackled through his phone:

"Remember—don't reveal you're a Sullivan. The company stock can't handle the volatility."

Sophia snatched the device. "Learn when to shut up!"

"I was just—"

"Unnecessary!" She ended the call with a stab of her thumb.

Shane took back the phone, voice glacial. "I'm a Prescott. Always have been. My descendants will carry this name—not yours."

The night wind rustled through wutong leaves like whispered witnesses to his oath.