Victoria Windsor clicked back to her apartment in stilettos.

She pulled out her phone and dialed the locksmith with crisp efficiency. "Come change my locks immediately."

Isabella Valentine leaned against the doorframe, arching an eyebrow. "Why the sudden change?"

Victoria lit a slender cigarette, exhaling smoke through crimson lips. "I'm done with that penniless bastard."

"Well, well. Mrs. Windsor finally sees the light?" Isabella's smile held layers of meaning.

"He left me destitute in the divorce. Even Father refuses to help me now." Victoria flicked ash from her cigarette. "Hammer's pathetic income can't even cover one of my handbags."

Isabella patted her shoulder. "Should've done this ages ago."

Victoria shot her a sidelong glance. "What about you and Adrian?"

"He blocked me." Isabella pouted. "All men are the same."

Victoria stubbed out her cigarette. "Get pregnant before the engagement's called off."

"No way!" Isabella recoiled.

Victoria narrowed her eyes. "What do you have besides that car? The Sullivans are your only ticket up."

A sudden pounding shook the door.

Hammer Ulrich's gruff voice boomed through the wood. "Victoria! Open this damn door!"

"Get lost!" she sneered.

The next morning, Victoria arrived precisely at Vincent Grandelle's villa.

"Father, I want to sell the apartment you gave me." She cut straight to the point.

"Do as you please." He didn't look up.

"Theodore Valentine didn't give me a single cent, that bastard." She ground her teeth. "Speak to him for me."

"I'm too old for this." His tone was icy.

Victoria raised her voice abruptly. "You've always favored Evelyn! Since we were children!"

"So you stole her husband?" Vincent slammed the table.

"What does her perfection matter?" Victoria smirked triumphantly. "She still lost to me."

Vincent trembled with rage. "I wanted you to learn from her virtues!"

The doorbell chimed.

Sophia Laurent entered with Ethan Sullivan, bearing gifts.

Vincent's face brightened instantly. "Ah, Sophia's here."

Victoria's voice dripped sarcasm. "Miss Laurent is quite the rising star these days."

"Get out!" Vincent struck her back with his cane.

Night fell.

Ethan drove Sophia home.

Passing the garden, Sophia pointed to a small blue cottage. "What's that?"

Ethan's expression faltered. "Not for pets."

"Then?"

"Our first child is there." His voice dropped low.

Sophia's fingers turned cold.

Ethan grasped her hand. "We'll have more children."

"Why build a house?"

"So he wouldn't get wet in the rain."

Sophia's eyes grew moist. "You've always been this thoughtful."

In their bedroom, Ethan handed her milk. "Did you take your folic acid?"

"Yes. Three months now."

"Eat more alkaline foods." He paused. "Not favoring sons over daughters—just sparing you pressure."

Sophia drained the glass.

"Ovulation?" he asked suddenly.

Her ears flushed pink. "Mm."

The shower stopped.

Ethan emerged with a towel around his waist, water trailing down his abs.

Amber light gilded his sculpted frame, breathtakingly handsome.

"Mrs. Sullivan." He extended a hand. "Time for our baby-making project."

Sophia laughed, throwing herself into his arms.

Their lips met as she pushed him onto the bed.

Fingers tracing his striking features, she whispered, "You're beautiful."

Ethan rolled her beneath him.

At passion's peak, he murmured against her ear: "This intimacy without barriers... perfect."

Cymbidium orchids bloomed silently in the night, their fragrance drifting through the air.