Raymond Stone narrowed his cloudy old eyes, watching Kevin Stone's hunched back.

He leisurely lifted his teacup. "Serve your time well inside. I'll take care of your wife and kids. Remember this lesson—not everyone deserves your help."

Kevin paused mid-step.

His back still turned, his voice rasped, "You're right, Uncle."

Silence reclaimed the office.

Ethan Sullivan tapped the desk with slender fingers. "Impressive maneuvering, Chairman Stone."

Raymond threw his head back in laughter, wrinkles folding like accordions. "At my age, one learns to be shrewd."

Outside the Stone Group building, Sophia Laurent sat in the car, watching the scenery blur past.

She spoke suddenly. "Raymond is definitely involved."

Ethan squeezed her hand. "Kevin already confessed. There's no evidence."

A weight pressed against Sophia's chest.

Who could have imagined so much bloodshed lay hidden behind her origins?

Ethan's gaze darkened. "Kevin's been punished, Leopold is captured, and Victoria won't escape either. Yet when Raymond was cornered all those years ago, you and Aunt Evelyn paid the price."

Sophia's fingertips turned icy.

How absurd fate could be.

Innocent, yet swept into the vortex.

Perhaps that was why her father never wanted her to reclaim her lineage.

But now, the truth could no longer stay buried.

She buried her face in Ethan's shoulder, drawing warmth.

Meanwhile, Diana Grandelle frantically stuffed jewelry into a suitcase.

"Mother! The police are coming!" Victoria stamped her foot in panic.

Diana fumbled with the locks. "Quiet! If only you hadn't insisted on marrying Theodore—"

The door burst open before she could finish.

Vincent Grandelle stood framed in the doorway, leaning on his cane, face stormy.

"Father!" Diana collapsed to her knees. "I'm innocent!"

Vincent swung his cane.

"Ah!" Diana scrambled away like a frightened rat.

An officer produced handcuffs. "Mrs. Grandelle, you're under investigation."

Victoria slumped to the floor, face ashen.

One month later, the verdict was delivered:

Diana, Leopold, Kevin, and others received twenty-year sentences for kidnapping and murder.

Case closed.

At the Valentine Corporation's penthouse, a secretary rushed in. "Chairman! The DNA results are in!"

Theodore's hand jerked, coffee spilling across his desk.

He stared at the report, pupils contracting violently.

Thirty minutes later, at Phoenix Cove Villas:

Theodore hammered the doorbell. "Sophia! I'm your father!"

The sky darkened abruptly.

A bolt of lightning split the air.

CRACK!

Thunder exploded directly above Theodore's head as torrential rain unleashed.

Sophia stood behind the floor-to-ceiling window, watching his drenched, disheveled figure with cold detachment.

The corner of her lips curled slightly.

Even the heavens had lost patience.