Dusk settled as city lights flickered to life.

The dining hall of Sullivan Manor blazed with illumination while servants bustled with dishes.

Beneath the crystal chandelier, an opulent spread emitted tantalizing aromas.

Eleanor Sullivan presided at the head of the table, her piercing gaze sweeping across the gathering.

Spotting Isabella Valentine, her brows knitted. "Who invited her?"

Isabella's face drained of color instantly.

Victor Sullivan cleared his throat. "Mother, Isabella and Adrian are engaged now."

The matriarch's lips curled coldly. "Since when did our family standards sink so low? This fickle woman dares cross our threshold?"

William Sullivan intervened hastily. "Let's eat before the food cools."

Eleanor placed sweet-and-sour ribs on Sophia Laurent's plate. "Eat well, dear."

Sophia smiled sweetly. "Thank you, Grandma."

Victor's blood boiled watching this exchange.

Deliberately, he served braised pork knuckle to Isabella. "Have some, Isabella."

The matriarch's temper flared immediately.

She directed servants to bring the entire platter of abalone before Sophia. "Take your time, darling. There's more if you want."

Sophia regarded the mountainous portion helplessly. "Grandma, this is too much."

Eleanor shot Victor a sidelong glance. "In this house, I decide. If anyone dares mistreat you, they'll answer to me first!"

Unbowed, Victor pushed a pot of black chicken soup toward Isabella. "Build your strength. Once you bear Adrian's heir, the company will be his to manage."

Isabella shot Sophia a triumphant look.

Ethan Sullivan wordlessly placed fish eyes on Sophia's plate. "Sharpen your vision against deceit."

Eleanor slammed the table. "The company belongs half to the Prescotts! Hand over their shares first if you want to redistribute anything!"

Victor loosened his tie, launching into corporate law rhetoric.

The matriarch massaged her temples and had him escorted out.

Isabella slunk away after him.

Only then did Eleanor relax, dialing Natalie Sullivan.

"I heard you're dating someone? Bring him home."

"It's Alexander." Natalie's voice dripped honey.

A pause. "His health..."

"Connection's bad! Gotta go!" The line went dead.

The matriarch set down her chopsticks, worry creasing her brow.

At dawn, Victor arrived with a recorder.

"You took a billion last year to leave Ethan. Repay it or disappear."

Sophia scoffed. "I'll return the money to Ethan, but not him."

Victor switched tactics. "You're unworthy. Consider a father's heart."

When Sophia remained unmoved, he hissed, "Think of your mother's safety."

Her phone rang instantly.

"Sophia! Grace was attacked on her yacht!" Kyle Grant's voice crackled urgently. "Emergency surgery now."

Sophia's eyes reddened instantly.

She glared at Victor. "Your doing?"

"Not me!"

A bank card struck his face. "Forty billion! I earned this by twenty-four! Is pedigree everything?"

She seized his collar. "If my mother's harmed, I'll burn your world down!"

The slamming door left Victor's ears ringing.

As he reached for his phone, Ethan's call came through: "Did you harm Grace?"

"It wasn't me!"

"If anything happens to them, you're no father of mine!"

The dial tone left Victor collapsing onto the sofa.

He buried his face in trembling hands. "Why won't anyone believe me..."