Sylvia Savigny counted the digits on her bank statement, a faint smile curling her lips.

"This savings should be enough to start a small business. I can support myself."

"Every woman should be independent like this," Jenna Roland agreed with a nod.

The sudden ringtone shattered the quiet.

Sylvia's fingers froze when she saw the caller ID. "It's Lucien Valois." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "It must be about you."

"Answer it," Jenna said calmly.

Taking a deep breath, Sylvia pressed accept. "Lucien, what is it?"

"Is your sister still in the hospital?" His voice carried through the receiver.

"Yes." Sylvia glanced at Stella Laurent lying on the hospital bed and chose honesty. She knew too well how futile lies were against Lucien.

Two seconds of silence. Then the line went dead.

Sylvia turned urgently to Jenna. "He's personally involved now. You need to leave."

Jenna nodded, quickly bidding Stella goodbye before exiting.

Once the door closed, Stella couldn't hold back. "Lucien has money and power. Why obsess over a married woman? He already has a wife. Why didn't he just marry who he wanted?"

"It was a business marriage." Sylvia leaned back in her chair. "He admitted marrying that woman was out of necessity."

Before she could finish, the door swung open.

Lucien stood there in a black shirt, flanked by two bodyguards. He'd arrived impossibly fast—as if he'd been waiting nearby.

Sylvia was relieved Jenna had left in time.

"Lucien." She stood to greet him.

He strode past her directly to the bed. "I heard you've been close with Jenna Roland?" No pleasantries.

Stella met his gaze. "We're good friends."

"Then you know where she lives?" His smile didn't reach his chilling eyes.

"She moved to her husband's place after marriage. I don't know the exact address." Stella's expression didn't flicker.

Lucien's eyes narrowed. The air turned glacial.

"Really don't know?"