Victor Sullivan glared at his wife. "That sharp tongue of yours will be the death of us!"

Eleanor Sullivan pursed her lips. "Isabella is such a sweet girl."

"Sophia is sweeter!" Victor snapped.

Eleanor rolled her eyes. "You old fool! Always contradicting me!"

Victor stormed out of the hospital room.

In the hallway, Victoria Windsor swayed toward him, her daughter Isabella trailing behind with a thermos.

Once, he'd found this mother-daughter pair charming. Now they just seemed garish—like two painted dolls.

He far preferred Audrey and Sophia's understated elegance.

Victoria opened her mouth to greet him.

"Psst—"

A lewd whistle came from the adjacent room.

Hammer Ulrich leaned against the doorframe, his hospital gown hanging loose. "Took you long enough to visit me, sweetheart."

Victoria's face drained of color. "Shut your filthy mouth!"

Hammer's gaze slid to Isabella. "This your daughter? Even prettier than you were back in the day."

Victoria yanked Isabella behind her. "Get lost!"

"What's the hurry?" Hammer licked his lips. "Your daughter's practically mine anyway. Hahaha..."

Victoria trembled with rage. "You'll pay for this, Ulrich!"

Hammer made an obscene gesture. "I'll be waiting for you to come tear my mouth off."

Isabella tugged her mother's sleeve. "Why bother with a murderer?"

The word "murderer" sent a jolt through Victoria. She hurried away, dragging Isabella with her.

Victor narrowed his eyes.

Hammer's joke echoed in his mind like a bomb blast.

He studied the man intently.

The more he looked, the more Isabella's features seemed to mirror Hammer's.

Once suspicion took root, it couldn't be uprooted.

He immediately called Theodore Valentine. "What's Hammer's blood type?"

"AB."

"Isabella?"

"Also AB."

Victor let out a meaningful "Ah."

Back at the office, Ethan waited to discuss business.

"The Westside project goes to tender next month. Will you be attending?"

"You handle it." Victor spun his chair. "Ever met Hammer Ulrich?"

Ethan raised an eyebrow.

"The liver donor for Theodore," Victor clarified, stroking his chin. "Claims Isabella is his daughter. Same blood type. Similar looks."

Ethan laughed. "You believe that nonsense?"

"What if it's true?" Victor's eyes gleamed. "Then the Valentine fortune goes entirely to Alexander and Sophia."

Ethan shook his head in amusement.

The old fox would never stop scheming.

"Natalie doesn't look much like you either," he teased.

Victor bristled. "Nonsense! She's my spitting image!"

"She has her mother's eyes. Yours are narrow."

A phone rang.

Natalie's bright voice chirped: "Dad! Talking behind my back again?"

Victor shot his son a glare. "Your brother says you don't take after me."

"Obviously! I got Mom's looks. You're the ugly one!"

Victor clutched his chest. "In my youth—"

"Please. Mom just didn't know any better!" Natalie cut in. "Where'd you hide my ID?"

"Bad connection. Bye!"

Victor hung up hastily. "Tell Alexander to get a paternity test. If it's true, we'll kick Isabella out of the Valentine family."

Ethan smirked. "What about Adrian's engagement?"

"Proceeds as planned." Victor's eyes glinted.

After Ethan left, Victor idly considered testing his own children.

Then he remembered Natalie's temper—definitely his blood.

Guiltily, he called Audrey: "Darling, how about the Northern Lights trip this month?"

A single icy word came through: "No!"

The next morning, Ethan brought supplements to the hospital.

Passing Hammer's room, he saw the man lounging against the doorframe, toothpick dangling.

Tall, gaunt, dark-skinned—like a charred log.

Those lecherous eyes were Isabella's exact match.

In Theodore's room, Ethan set down the gifts while subtly studying the man.

Theodore looked every inch the distinguished businessman.

Isabella's sharp, foxy features clearly favored Hammer.

"Bring Sophia to see me," Theodore pleaded.

"She's busy."

"I wronged her..."

"She's not interested."

Ethan turned on his heel.

In the elevator, he called Alexander: "Get a paternity test for Isabella and Hammer."

"Why?"

"If they're related, kick her out of the Valentine family."

After hanging up, Ethan advised confidently: "A toothbrush works best."

Alexander reluctantly agreed.

At noon, Alexander bought a new toothbrush.

Confirming Isabella was out, he swapped her old one.

Sealing it in a bag, he headed straight for the testing center.