Victor Sullivan had never been humiliated like this in his entire life.

The words "old ghost" cut into his heart like a knife.

His face turned ashen in an instant.

He could tolerate Audrey and her children provoking him—they were family, after all.

But who did this masked stranger think he was?

"Identify yourself!" Victor shoved aside the bodyguard blocking his path.

Shane Prescott didn't even glance at him, pressing the doorbell instead.

The blatant disregard ignited Victor's fury.

"Restrain him!" he barked.

The bodyguard immediately assumed a combat stance, fist aimed at Shane's face.

Shane smirked.

A glint of steel flashed through the air.

A throwing knife grazed Victor's scalp before embedding itself deep into a distant tree trunk.

Victor froze.

He touched his head—his palm came away covered in severed hair.

"You're dead!" Victor roared.

Shane's gaze was icy. "Move again, and your eyes are next."

The chauffeur hastily stepped between them.

Seizing the opportunity, the bodyguard lunged—only to be flipped over Shane's shoulder and slammed onto the ground.

Victor's expression darkened further.

"Useless!"

The gate suddenly swung open.

Sophia Laurent emerged, frowning at the tense scene.

"Mr. Prescott?"

Shane dusted off his sleeves. "Just some stray dogs blocking the way."

Sophia's eyes flickered to Victor's livid face before she stepped aside. "Please come in."

Victor sneered, "A Sullivan daughter-in-law should know her place!"

Sophia turned with a faint smile. "No one understands boundaries better than you."

The words struck like a slap, leaving Victor's chest tight.

"Who is this shady character?"

"A client." Sophia shut the door without another glance.

Victor immediately dialed Ethan Sullivan.

"There's a masked man visiting Sophia—highly suspicious behavior!"

Ethan's voice was cold. "Mind your own business."

The call ended, leaving Victor panting with rage.

His mind flashed back to that rainy night thirty years ago.

Audrey had given birth to their first child, named Ethan Prescott Sullivan.

The baby was switched the very next day.

The infant with a black mole on his left foot had vanished without a trace.

It remained Audrey's eternal sorrow.

Inside Phoenix Cove...

Shane meticulously examined the restored bird-shaped ritual vessel.

"Impressive craftsmanship." He paid the remaining balance without hesitation.

Sophia hesitated. "You could consider changing professions..."

Shane's eyes turned glacial.

The look sent a chill down Sophia's spine.

Even when Ethan arrived to pick her up, she couldn't shake the lingering unease.

"What's wrong?" Ethan gently pinched her cheek.

Sophia mentioned her suggestion for Shane to leave his illicit trade.

"Typical tomb raider behavior." Ethan tweaked her nose. "Just like you—if you hadn't been born into the Laurent family..."

"Stop it!" Sophia laughed, swatting his hand away.

As they approached their car...

A bloodcurdling scream pierced the night.

Shane dragged a figure from the bushes and threw him at Sophia's feet.

"He's been surveilling us since I arrived."

When the hood was pulled back, Sophia's face drained of color.