Autumn sunlight bathed the golf course under a cloudless azure sky, the emerald greens stretching endlessly.

Ethan Sullivan stood tall in his impeccably tailored black casual wear. With practiced elegance, he swung his club, sending the white ball arcing perfectly through the air.

"Impressive swing, Mr. Sullivan," praised Victor Sheng, CEO of Sheng Corporation, applauding.

Ethan gave a slight nod. "You flatter me."

After their game, they retreated to the VIP lounge. A waiter served coffee while an assistant handed them towels.

The glass doors parted, revealing a slender figure in white. That familiar silhouette made Ethan's heart lurch—for a fleeting moment, he thought Sophia had arrived. But as the woman came into focus, his smile froze.

"Uncle," Bianca White greeted Victor before flashing Ethan a saccharine smile. "Mr. Sullivan."

Victor rose jovially. "I'll leave you young people to chat. Business calls."

Ethan lifted his coffee cup, tone distant. "Here for golf, Miss White?"

"Aunt Audrey invited me," Bianca replied demurely.

As if summoned, Audrey Sullivan entered in gray athletic wear, her poise undiminished by sportswear. "Bianca's perfect—your alma mater mate too," she said meaningfully to her son.

Ethan's gaze turned icy. "No one replaces Sophia."

Unfazed, Bianca gushed, "Sophia's a legend in artifact restoration. I've always admired her."

Audrey nodded approvingly. Ethan found his mother's sudden change toward Sophia bitterly ironic.

"Well, isn't this lively?" Victor Sullivan appeared abruptly, his eyes darting between Bianca and Ethan with a knowing smirk.

Audrey's expression darkened. She seized Victor's arm, dragging him outside. "Come with me."

Inside the men's locker room, Audrey locked the door and slammed Victor against the wall.

"What the—" His protest died as her knee drove into his abdomen.

"Audrey!" Victor doubled over in pain.

"That's for our son!" She gripped his collar, eyes blazing. "You destroyed his happiness!"

Victor raised a hand to strike back but froze under her glacial stare. "Go ahead. Ethan's right outside."

"You crazy bitch!" he spat through gritted teeth.

"I should castrate you!" Audrey's voice shook. "Do you know what your filth did to Ethan and Sophia—"

Her words failed. Another slap cracked across his face.

Victor caught her wrist, pinning her against the wall. "Think I won't retaliate?"

"Divorce!" She struggled. "I'm done!"

"Over my dead body!" Victor snarled. "You'll never escape me!"

As their standoff intensified, knocking interrupted.

"Mom?" Ethan's voice carried through the door.