Dawn's first light crept across the sky.

Ethan Sullivan personally drove Sophia Laurent to Vincent's Porcelain.

The car door swung open.

His slender fingers gently encircled her wrist as they walked side by side.

The rising sun gilded their silhouettes in gold.

For a fleeting moment, Sophia remembered her childhood walks to school.

How she'd yearned for someone to hold her hand like this.

Inside the shop, Vincent Grandelle was feeding a songbird.

Seeing Ethan enter, he raised an eyebrow. "You knew I'd take Sophia as my apprentice?"

Ethan's lips curved slightly. "She resembles Evelyn in her youth."

A few birdseeds scattered from Vincent's fingers.

After a weighted silence, he glared at Ethan. "Always hitting where it hurts."

Ethan gave Sophia a gentle nudge forward. "Her talent is extraordinary. You won't regret this."

Vincent snorted. "Since when do apprentices come with sales pitches?"

Sophia's ears pinkened. "Master, don't listen to his nonsense."

Ethan's expression turned serious. "Pass on her, and you'll regret it for life."

Sophia blinked in surprise.

A simple apprenticeship sounded like some grand favor the way he phrased it.

Vincent brushed birdseed from his palms. "Enough. No more chatter."

Ethan suddenly leaned close to Sophia's ear, his breath warm against her skin. "Stubborn old man, but soft-hearted."

Her pulse stuttered.

After watching Ethan leave, Vincent led her to the back courtyard.

The secret formula for Celestial Mender was kept here.

The glue-making room steamed with heat.

Sophia stirred the viscous liquid with single-minded focus.

"I heard you took a new apprentice?"

A shrill voice shattered the quiet.

Sophia's hand stilled.

That voice was painfully familiar.

Vincent set down his teacup. "Is that why you're here?"

Victoria Windsor sneered. "Isabella dislikes her!"

"My affairs aren't your concern." Vincent's tone turned glacial.

"She had someone break Isabella's hand!" Victoria suddenly pointed at Sophia on the stairs.

Sophia descended calmly. "Proof?"

"Who else would do it?" Victoria's face twisted with rage.

Sophia's gaze turned icy. "Then who injured my hand?"

Vincent slammed the table. "Enough!"

The teacup rattled violently.

Victoria stormed out, her face ashen.

At dusk, Ethan appeared outside the shop right on time.

"Anyone trouble you?" He brushed a stray lock from her forehead.

Sophia shook her head. "Victoria made a scene."

Ethan chuckled. "At least the old man has sense."

As they moved toward the car, a pink-clad figure blocked their path.

"Ethan~" Isabella Valentine's saccharine voice dripped honey.

Ethan frowned. "Move."

She swayed her hips. "I missed you~"

Sophia's stomach churned.

"Know what you resemble?" Ethan's cold stare raked over her.

Isabella fluttered fake lashes. "What?"

"A circus clown."

He shoved past her without a second glance.

As the car door closed, Isabella's contorted expression froze in the window.