Victoria Windsor's nose burned with searing pain.

Blood seeped through her fingers as she clutched her injured face.

How dare Sophia Laurent, always so docile, lay hands on her?

"You bitch!" she shrieked, lunging forward.

Maggie Clementson sprang into action, wrapping her arms tightly around Victoria's waist.

Bodyguards burst through the door, pinning Victoria against the wall.

Ethan Sullivan entered the hospital room with his assistant, his gaze sharp as a blade. Only after confirming Sophia's safety did the tension in his jaw ease slightly.

"Look what your precious wife did!" Victoria pointed at her bloody nose. "She nearly killed me!"

Ethan remained impassive. "Sophia never strikes first."

Turning to Sophia, his voice softened. "What happened?"

Sophia pressed her lips together, exchanging a glance with Maggie.

The housekeeper spoke up immediately. "Mrs. Valentine barged in hurling insults and tried to hit Madam. The things she said were vile. Madam endured it for ages before defending herself."

"Apologize," Ethan commanded coldly.

Victoria's eyes widened. "I'm the injured one here!"

"Verbal abuse is still abuse." Ethan pulled out his phone. "Shall I call Alexander Valentine to handle this?"

Victoria's face paled.

After a brief call, Ethan hung up. "He's on his way."

"Have you lost your mind?" Victoria's voice trembled. "You'd offend the Valentines over some woman?"

Ignoring her, Ethan moved to Sophia's bedside, taking her hand. "Does it hurt?"

Sophia shook her head.

"Still angry?"

"Yes."

"Good." He gently stroked her hair. "This is how you should respond to anyone who wrongs you from now on."

Victoria shook with rage.

Alexander Valentine arrived swiftly. After assessing his mother's disheveled state, he bowed to Sophia. "My apologies for my mother's outburst."

Sophia gave a slight nod.

"This isn't over!" Victoria screeched. "I'll get a medical report! I'll call the police!"

Alexander frowned, signaling the bodyguards to remove her.

"We'll host a formal apology dinner," he told Sophia before addressing Ethan: "The real perpetrator remains at large."

Ethan accepted the photograph—a blurry surveillance image of a tall man in a black jacket wielding a hammer, his silhouette menacing.

Ethan's eyes darkened. "Leave the photo with me."

When Alexander departed, silence reclaimed the hospital room.

"Remember that bald man who kidnapped you?" Ethan asked abruptly.

Sophia's fingers twitched.

"I crippled his sister's left hand for targeting you," Ethan said, watching her closely. "But Isabella Valentine was innocent."

Sophia's head snapped up. "You think I—"

"No." He handed her the photo. "Someone's avenging you—but they've got the wrong target."

Sophia's pulse quickened as she studied the blurred figure.

"Is it Kyle?" Ethan asked quietly.

"No!" Sophia's eyes reddened as she crushed the photo in her fist. "It can't be him!"