Victor Sullivan's chest tightened at the Culture Bureau Director's sarcastic remarks.

His knuckles turned white as he gripped the wine glass, forcing himself to suppress his anger.

After all, the man was the Culture Bureau Director—someone he couldn't afford to alienate.

By the third round of drinks, Victor's vision blurred with intoxication.

His assistant helped him stagger into the car.

"That old fool Jiang—who does he think he is?" Victor yanked at his tie, his words slurred. "He wouldn’t be where he is without his father-in-law’s connections."

The assistant handed him a bottle of water. "Director Jiang had too much to drink. Don’t take it to heart."

"Ha! He and Sophia are cut from the same cloth!" Victor glared at the glass bottle in his left hand. "All that talk about 'bringing glory to the country'—what a hypocrite!"

The assistant hesitated. "Actually, Miss Laurent is quite accomplished..."

"Accomplished?" Victor sneered. "Would a kind person do this to me?"

The assistant thought of his daughter’s recent change. "My daughter idolizes Miss Laurent now. She’s even studying harder."

"What do children know?" Victor waved dismissively.

As the assistant prepared to leave, Victor suddenly spoke. "About the North Pass Fish Market project..."

"Yes?"

"Get Sophia to endorse it." Victor gritted his teeth. "On the condition that she removes this damn bottle!"

The next morning.

Sophia arched a brow as she listened to the assistant’s proposal. "So Chairman Sullivan has finally come around?"

"His bark is worse than his bite."

"No, he’s a control freak." Sophia traced the rim of her teacup. "But we’re not puppets on strings."

When Ethan Sullivan received the news, he was reviewing documents.

"Arrange an evaluation immediately." He closed the folder, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Zoe Riveron was in a meeting when she heard.

"What?" She shot to her feet, papers scattering everywhere.

In the dressing room, she slipped into her most alluring black gown and spritzed on her most expensive perfume.

"Mr. Sullivan." She pushed open his office door, lips parted. "Using Sophia as the face of the campaign—is that really appropriate?"

Ethan didn’t look up. "The board has made its decision."

"But she’s not a celebrity!" Zoe’s voice rose sharply.

Ethan pulled up data on his screen. "Her influence rivals A-list stars."

Zoe stared at his slender fingers, her throat suddenly dry.

She grabbed his water glass and drained it, deliberately leaving a lipstick stain on the rim.

"Sorry, I was parched." She licked her lips.

Ethan frowned and reached to discard the glass.

"Let me wash it for you." Zoe pressed closer, the plunging neckline of her dress revealing just enough.

Her breath tickled his ear. "I’m far more... lively than Sophia."

The office door swung open.

Sophia stood in the doorway, her gaze settling on the entangled pair.

She smiled faintly.