The DNA test report lay quietly on the coffee table.

The words "Confirmed Biological Relationship" stood out starkly.

Vincent Laurent stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, sunlight outlining his tall silhouette.

He turned to Sophia, his eyes softening with tenderness.

Ethan Sullivan stared at the report, fingers absently tapping the armrest.

Suddenly, he rose and stepped onto the balcony, dialing Oliver Granger's number.

"What's the proper attitude for a son-in-law toward his father-in-law?"

Oliver's chuckle came through the line. "Flattery and sucking up, obviously."

Ethan frowned. "Why?"

"Because the father holds the power of life and death over his daughter." Oliver paused. "Wait—are we talking about Vincent Laurent?"

Ethan snorted.

"Buddy, this reeks of possessiveness." Oliver adopted a lecturing tone. "I recommend therapy."

"Go to hell." Ethan ended the call.

At dusk, he handed the report to Sophia.

Her slender fingers trembled slightly as she flipped to the final page.

Tears welled in Sophia's eyes when she saw the result.

She looked up at Ethan, her lips curving into a radiant smile.

Ethan abruptly pulled her into his arms.

"Happy?" he murmured.

Sophia rested her head against his shoulder. "Like finding the last missing puzzle piece."

The next morning, Vincent called.

"Free this weekend? Your grandmother wants to meet you."

Sophia tightened her grip on the phone. "Absolutely."

After hanging up, she immediately called Grace Langley.

"Mom, the Lauren invited you to—"

"I'll pass." Grace's voice cracked. "This is your family reunion."

Sophia's heart ached. "You'll always be my mother."

The Laurent ancestral home was picturesque on the weekend.

Red lanterns dotted the pavilions like strokes from an ink painting.

The moment Margaret Laurent saw Sophia, she clung to her hand.

"My precious granddaughter!" Tears glistened in her eyes. "I've waited decades for this day."

She fussed over Sophia with pastries and tea, terrified she might go hungry or thirsty.

Ethan and Vincent exchanged amused glances from the sidelines.

Footsteps suddenly echoed at the entrance.

"Old friend, I'm here!" Eleanor Sullivan bustled in.

She froze upon seeing Sophia.

"Isn't that my granddaughter-in-law?"

Margaret lifted her chin triumphantly. "Now she's my biological granddaughter!"

Eleanor frantically pulled out her phone. "Victor! Get here now! Earth-shattering news!"

Victor Sullivan was in a boardroom meeting.

"Mother, I'm in a—"

"Sophia is a Laurent heiress!" Eleanor's voice shook. "Confirmed!"

A chair toppled over on the other end.

"I'm on my way!"