Sophia released Isabella's hair, her fingertips still tingling with the greasy residue.

She walked to the sink and forcefully turned on the faucet.

Cold water rushed over her hands as she pumped soap three times.

Foam gathered between her fingers, but the disgust lingered no matter how hard she scrubbed.

Maggie handed her a tissue, concern etched on her face. "Madam, you're pregnant. Let the bodyguards handle such matters next time."

Sophia dried her hands and crumpled the tissue.

"Grandfather's tai chi lessons were more than enough for her."

She turned toward the bathroom stall.

Isabella was hunched over the toilet, retching, her carefully styled curls now a tangled mess stained with filth.

Just months ago, this woman had been Ethan's cherished first love.

Now she looked like a drowned rat.

A flicker of scorn crossed Sophia's eyes as she pushed past Maggie and stepped out.

Outside, two bodyguards immediately closed in.

"Are you alright, Madam?"

A Valentine family bodyguard clutching luxury shopping bags peeked inside, paling at the sight of his mistress's state.

"Miss Isabella!"

Isabella lifted her head, her makeup smeared. "Useless! Why didn't you kick the door down?"

The guard glanced warily at the Sullivan bodyguards and mumbled, "They blocked us—"

"Get out! All of you, get out!"

Sophia didn't look back as she headed for the elevator.

In the sixth-floor menswear section, she carefully selected a tie.

The navy blue stripe pattern would suit Ethan perfectly.

At the checkout counter, she bumped into a familiar figure.

Kyle Grant held a receipt, his gaze settling on her.

"What a coincidence," Sophia nodded politely.

"Returning a favor to Mr. Sullivan." He lifted a suit bag. "For the last set of clothes."

As Sophia began to decline, Kyle already extended his credit card.

"Sales staff live on commissions."

The reason left her no room for refusal.

The elevator was crowded.

Kyle subtly shielded her with his body, his peripheral vision catching the baby supplies in the bodyguard's hands.

The smile on his lips froze.

A needle seemed to pierce his heart.

At the mall entrance, Kyle suddenly called out to her.

"Can you wait ten minutes?"

Sophia turned, meeting those strangely familiar eyes.

Ten minutes later, he returned breathless, carrying two exquisite gift boxes.

"For the baby."

Just as Sophia was about to thank him, a shutter sound came from afar.

Isabella hid behind a pillar, her phone camera aimed at them.

She swiftly swapped SIM cards and registered a new WeChat account.

Under "Friend Request," she typed three words: The Informant.

——

In the Sullivan Group CEO's office, Ethan was signing contracts when his phone vibrated.

As the photo loaded, his pen dragged a long ink stain across the document.

The image showed Sophia and Kyle standing in sunlight, exchanging baby gifts.

He deleted the photo and dialed a number.

"Having fun?"

Isabella nearly dropped her phone.

"Ethan, I don't understand—"

"No one else would stoop to such filth."

The sound of chattering teeth came through the line.

Ethan hung up, his eyes dark as ink.