Audrey Sullivan sat on the living room sofa, holding Sophia Laurent's hand as she spoke at length.

Upstairs, the bedroom remained silent—Ethan Sullivan still deep in sleep.

"I should head back." Audrey adjusted her collar as she stood. "I'll visit again soon."

Sophia walked her to the front gate.

Audrey suddenly turned, gripping Sophia's wrist tightly. "About Ethan's condition—"

"Mom." Sophia interrupted gently. "I understand."

Sunlight illuminated Sophia's face, revealing the resolve in her eyes.

Audrey hesitated, then sighed.

"My brother will come tonight," Sophia murmured. "Don't worry."

"Shane, that boy..." Audrey's expression softened. "Growing up in such an environment, yet he turned out remarkably well."

Sophia smiled. "He takes after you."

Watching Audrey's car disappear down the drive, Sophia lingered at the entrance, lost in thought.

A vague suspicion flickered through her mind.

If this was revenge targeting the Sullivans, why spare Adrian?

Natalie being unharmed as the daughter made sense—but Adrian was the eldest son...

Sophia narrowed her eyes.

Three days later, at dawn.

Sophia stood in the walk-in closet selecting an outfit.

"I'll go with you." Ethan's voice came from behind her.

"No need." She turned to straighten his collar. "Just a routine checkup."

Ethan studied her face, his dark eyes unreadable.

Sophia rose on her toes to brush her lips against his. "I won't be long."

As the car pulled away, Ethan's tall figure remained visible in the rearview mirror.

Sophia tightened her grip on her purse.

"Take me to Phoenix Cove," she said abruptly.

In the lab, the safe emitted a faint electronic beep.

Sophia retrieved a transparent case.

Inside, two emerald-green crystals glowed eerily under the light.

Her lips curved.

Time to collect some interest.

Outside the hospital's orthopedic wing, Sophia pretended to make a call.

Twenty minutes later, Adrian arrived with bodyguards.

"Sister-in-law?" He arched a brow as he approached.

Hanging up, Sophia nodded politely.

Adrian's gaze dropped to her abdomen. "Still for the...?"

"Yes." She offered no elaboration.

"Why isn't Ethan with you?" Curiosity flashed in his eyes.

Sophia pulled a tissue from her bag, deliberately dislodging an embroidered box.

It hit the ground with a soft thud.

Feigning ignorance, she walked briskly away.

Adrian bent to retrieve the box, calling after her twice.

Sophia vanished around the corner without looking back.

Inside the box, two green "crystals" lay undisturbed.

That evening, at the Laurent estate.

Leonard Laurent examined the green crystal through his magnifying glass, spectacles perched on his nose.

"Strange..." he muttered.

The next afternoon, in the dermatology department.

The senior specialist frowned at the test results.

"Amputation is necessary," he stated gravely. "Or the infection will spread systemically."

Leonard's face drained of color.