Sophia finished reciting her phone number.

The car door slammed shut.

It was a rented local business vehicle.

Shane Prescott walked toward a black Jeep Grand Cherokee parked nearby, its battered body exuding years of wear.

Forty minutes later, neon lights flickered outside the hotel.

The bodyguard parked the car.

As Sophia stepped out, she saw Shane's SUV pulling into the adjacent parking spot right behind them.

She hurried into the lobby.

Footsteps followed at a steady pace behind her.

Inside the elevator, Sophia pressed the button for her floor.

At the same moment, Shane's finger landed on the button next to hers.

When her door unlocked, an identical electronic chime sounded from the neighboring suite.

The coincidence sent a chill down her spine.

She lowered her voice and instructed the bodyguard, "Take shifts tonight. Stay alert."

Shane frowned but simply pushed open his door and called out, "Iris."

"Brother!" Iris Evans bounded out like an excited fawn, clinging to Shane's arm. "I missed you so much!"

The stern lines of Shane's face softened slightly.

Iris turned and winked at Sophia. "Sophia, this is my older brother, Shane Prescott."

"What are you doing here?" Sophia asked, surprised.

"Archaeology team break," Iris said, swinging her ponytail. "Professor Moore will definitely need my help. Might as well earn some extra cash."

The misunderstanding cleared.

After dinner, Sophia dialed Ethan Sullivan's number.

The line rang endlessly.

No answer.

The sound of running water echoed from the bathroom.

When she emerged, drying her hair, her phone screen remained dark.

Her Weibo follower count stunned her: six million.

On the trending list, "Most Beautiful Heiress Zoe Riveron" glared back at her.

In three photos, Ethan stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Zoe.

Her fingers trembled as she exited the app.

On the seventh attempt, the call still went unanswered.

When she tried his assistant, Victor Sullivan's sharp voice cut through the receiver: "She's no longer the young madam after the divorce!"

The line went dead.

Sophia grabbed her coat and rushed out. "Take me back to Kyoto immediately."

Her chest felt like a boulder pressed against it.

Three intersections later, she remembered Natalie Sullivan.

"My brother's injured," came the tearful voice on the other end. "Still unconscious."

Her phone clattered onto the seat.

"The North Market groundbreaking ceremony... over fifty rioters..." Natalie sobbed. "Police are investigating who's behind it."

Sophia's nails dug into her palms.

The window reflected her bloodshot eyes.

Emergency room lights glared harshly.

Victor stood like a wall blocking the hospital room door. "The divorce agreement was crystal clear."

Sophia bit her lip until it bled. "Let me see him."

"Was ten billion not enough?" Victor sneered.

Sophia yanked open her handbag.

Banknotes flew like snowflakes against that arrogant face.

"Now, move."