Natalie Sullivan thumped her chest confidently. "Don't worry, brother. When Natalie Sullivan takes charge, nothing is impossible."

Ethan Sullivan massaged his temples. "Don't be reckless. Keep me updated."

"Wait for my good news!"

Natalie acted swiftly.

That same day, she packed her bags and headed straight to the airport with her bodyguards, flying northwest.

In the hospital corridor, she spotted Sophia Laurent laughing with a handsome young man in a white T-shirt and jeans.

The pair looked strikingly compatible.

Natalie's heart lurched.

Thank goodness she'd arrived in time.

She hurried forward and looped her arm through Sophia's. "Sis!"

Sophia turned in surprise. "Natalie? What are you doing here?"

"My brother misses you so much he can't eat or sleep. He sent me to check on you."

Sophia pressed her lips together in a faint smile.

After waiting outside the hospital for so long, he hadn't even bothered to see her.

Natalie eyed the young man warily. "And who's this?"

"Felix Vanderbilt, Mr. Vanderbilt's youngest son. He just arrived at the hospital," Sophia explained.

Felix extended his hand. "Hello, I'm Felix."

Natalie ignored him, tightening her grip around Sophia's waist. "This is my sister-in-law. Don't get any ideas."

Sophia shook her head in exasperation.

The siblings shared the same possessive streak.

Felix blinked. "You're married? You look like a college student."

Sophia's expression dimmed.

At twenty-three, she should have just graduated.

Instead, she'd already experienced marriage, childbirth, and divorce.

Natalie scanned their surroundings. "Didn't my brother assign you bodyguards?"

"Short-staffed. They're tending to the injured."

"Unacceptable!" Natalie shot Felix a glare. "It's dangerous for someone as beautiful as you to be unprotected."

They entered the hospital room.

Frederick Vanderbilt had regained consciousness but remained disoriented.

"I've called Shane," he said weakly. "The vault has traps. We need an expert."

Sophia nodded in agreement.

Shane Prescott and Iris Evans arrived promptly.

Shane's gaze lingered on Sophia a beat too long.

Natalie immediately stepped between them. "What are you looking at?"

Sophia sighed. "Natalie, behave."

"Sis, your work here is done. Come back to New York with me," Natalie pleaded. "My brother's wasting away without you."

Sophia smoothed Natalie's hair. "The artifacts in the vault need immediate restoration."

"But my brother—"

"He doesn't want to see me."

Natalie stamped her foot. "He regrets it! If he weren't so badly injured, he'd have flown here himself."

Sophia fell silent.

Frederick looked uncomfortable. "Perhaps you should return first?"

"No rush." Sophia shook her head. "The artifacts can't wait."

Natalie's heart sank.

She secretly texted Ethan: Brother, some paintings mean more to your wife than you do!

Ethan replied instantly: I'm coming.

Natalie quickly typed back: Don't complicate things. Leave it to me.

By evening, the group reached Blue Ridge Mountains.

Kyle Grant had been waiting for hours.

"It's too dangerous. Wait here," he told Sophia.

She insisted, "I've studied ancient mechanisms too."

Natalie immediately blocked Kyle's path. "Stay away from my sister-in-law!"

The vault was damp and chilly.

Shane led the way cautiously.

Suddenly, he shouted, "Get back!"

The ground trembled violently.

Sophia's footing gave way.

In the darkness, a warm, strong hand caught hers.