Sophia looked up to see Ethan Sullivan leaning against the doorframe.

"When did you get here?"

"Just now." His long fingers absently toyed with his wristwatch.

Sophia saw right through him. Three years of living together had made her intimately familiar with this tell—he only did this when unsettled.

"Shane Prescott gave me a Buddhist relic," she explained unprompted. "I wanted to donate it to Kyle Grant's grandmother, so I called him."

Ethan's expression remained unreadable as he moved beside her.

He gazed down, his dark eyes fathomless.

Tucking a loose strand of her hair behind her ear, he murmured, "You don't need to explain so much."

"What should I say then?"

"Those three words I want to hear most."

Sophia's eyes sparkled as her lips curved. "I love you?"

"Mmm." His eyes warmed like spring sunlight over mountains.

She found it amusing. While other women chased after romantic declarations, their roles were reversed.

"I love you," she repeated, more naturally this time.

Ethan's gaze darkened. In one swift motion, he lifted her onto the bay window.

Cradling her chin, he kissed her with urgent intensity.

The next day, an assistant named Andrew Chamberlain arrived.

Dressed in a silver-gray suit with gold-rimmed glasses, he spoke with a Cantonese-accented Mandarin.

Accompanied by an appraiser, he authenticated the relic before finalizing the purchase for sixty million.

Sophia transferred the funds to Kyle, but the payment remained unclaimed.

A month later, Isabella Valentine and Adrian Sullivan's engagement banquet commenced as scheduled.

"You must attend," Ethan insisted over the phone. "All my father's business associates' daughters will be there."

Sophia laughed lightly. "What isn't mine can't be stolen."

"Don't regret it." Though his tone held warning, he still texted the details.

On the evening of the event, Sophia chose a pale blue gown.

While applying her makeup, she deliberately wore the blue diamond ring.

Ethan waited at the hotel entrance, his tailored suit accentuating his frame. His gaze lingered on her exposed collarbone. "So little fabric?"

"It's just the collarbone," she protested, flashing the ring.

The ballroom glittered with opulence and elite guests.

Isabella stood beside Adrian in a white dress, her jewels dazzling but her eyes lifeless—until she spotted Ethan.

"You ruined me," she hissed at Adrian. "If not for you, I could still return to Ethan."

Adrian smirked. "You can still call it off."

"No. You'll pay for this."

Midway through the banquet, Ethan stepped out to take a call.

Isabella seized the chance to follow.

"Ethan!" She chased him into the garden, her gown fluttering. "I'm miserable—"

"Commit to your engagement," he said coldly.

"One word from you, and I'll cancel it!"

"We ended long ago." He turned to leave.

Isabella clutched his sleeve. "I still love you!"

"Then go die." Shaking her off, he walked away without looking back.

Tears ruined her meticulously applied makeup.

Staring at her reflection while repairing her face, fury ignited in her eyes.

"Sophia Laurent..." The name left her lips like venom.

Returning to the ballroom, Adrian taunted, "Why humiliate yourself?"

"I'll make you taste the same bitterness." Isabella dabbed away tears, changing into a wine-red gown. "This marriage is your reckoning."

Adrian studied her twisted expression and murmured, "Madwoman."