Victor Sullivan's lips curved slightly, his eyes softening with paternal affection. "My dear boy, I've kept you by my side since childhood—teaching you business negotiations, taking you to every important function. Do you truly not understand why?"

Ethan Sullivan's mind flashed to childhood memories.

A small boy perched on his father's knee, watching him command the negotiating table.

Sent abroad to elite institutions at fifteen.

Every holiday spent attending corporate events.

Directly appointed to the family conglomerate after graduation, climbing step by step to his current position.

Even during his years in a wheelchair, his father had kept him engaged.

The grooming had been meticulous.

Yet Ethan remained skeptical. "Adrian holds equal rank and authority in the company. You constantly praise his diplomacy and flexibility while calling me sentimental."

A glint of cunning flashed in Victor's eyes. "Precisely because my expectations for you are highest, my standards must be strictest."

Ethan fell silent.

"Keep this insight to yourself—no complacency," Victor cautioned.

Twenty minutes later.

The black sedan halted at the cemetery gates.

Victor stepped out.

Ethan remained seated. "She means nothing to me. If I pay respects, Mother will be upset."

Victor's expression remained neutral. "This is a gesture for the Laurent family. Shane and Adrian's feud requires your presence to ease tensions. Those who achieve greatness don't sweat the small stuff."

Ethan's jaw tightened. "Accompanying you here is already crossing my line."

Victor shook his head, accepting white chrysanthemums from a bodyguard.

Surrounded by attendants, he approached Nicole Laurent's grave.

The woman in the tombstone photo was radiant, her features faintly echoing Adrian's.

Memory painted her as vibrant and bold—a stark contrast to Audrey's cool elegance.

Time had blurred most details.

Only her agonized deathbed expression remained etched in his mind.

"Rest well," Victor bowed deeply.

Back in the car, Victor relaxed visibly. "The Laurents will hear of this soon."

Ethan scoffed. "Master of appeasement."

"You'll understand when you sit in my chair." Victor's tone turned meaningful. "Superficially, I'm teaching family matters—but really, it's about navigating the world."

Ethan said nothing.

He couldn't deny his father's mastery of human relations was worth studying.

During the return trip, Victor's expression darkened after a phone call.

Silence stretched after he hung up.

"What happened?" Ethan frowned.

"An old friend handed his company to his son—then the entire family died in a crash." Victor's voice turned grave. "His illegitimate son orchestrated it."

Ethan's blood ran cold.

"This is why I can't retire." Victor patted his hand. "Keeping Shane out of the business, refusing to acknowledge Kyle—it's all to protect you."

Ethan smirked bitterly. "Kyle and my brother have integrity."

"Trust no one." Victor's gaze turned penetrating. "Adrian's the real threat. Though you appear equals, the core assets are all in your hands."

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Truth comes out with liquor?"

"I simply don't voice it normally." Victor turned away.

Entering the city, the driver asked for directions.

Victor pondered. "Home."

"Not visiting Mother?" Ethan sounded surprised. "Today was a prime opportunity."

"Overdoing it backfires." Victor leaned back, closing his eyes.

Moon Bay.

Sophia Laurent moved to loosen Ethan's tie.

"Your hands are freezing." She clasped his chilled fingers.

"Father dragged me to a cemetery." Ethan shrugged off his coat.

Sophia laughed incredulously. "A midnight graveyard visit?"

"We stopped by my grandparents' and Nicole Laurent's plots." After washing his hands, Ethan sank lazily into the sofa.

Sophia handed him tea. "Missing your father's first love?"

"Only profits matter to him." Ethan sipped the tea. "Thankfully I take after Mother."

Sophia nestled against him with a smile.

Ethan toyed with her hair. "Is today your ovulation window?"

At her nod, he captured her lips.

Post-intimacy, Sophia nudged him. "Shower first."

Under the spray's patter, Ethan applied techniques from The Plum in the Golden Vase with precision.

Afterward, Sophia rested her head on his chest. "I hope we conceive twins."

"One's enough." Ethan twirled a lock of her hair. "Look how Father struggles balancing his children."

"What if it's a daughter?"

"She'll inherit the empire same as a son." Ethan rolled atop her. "Since you advocate for multiples, shall we try again?"

Sophia's smile bloomed.

The phone's sudden ring shattered the moment.

Natalie Sullivan's panicked voice crackled through: "Sophia! Emergency!"