Shane Prescott shrugged off Victor Sullivan's hand with a sharp jerk.

His icy gaze regarded the older man like he was something filthy.

Victor's heart lurched. His eyes instinctively darted to Shane's waist.

He retreated three steps, hands raised. "Don't misunderstand. I just wanted to take you to see your grandparents."

Shane's lips pressed into a thin line, silent.

Raised by his adoptive father, he felt nothing for these so-called grandparents.

"Your mother and Natalie will be there too," Victor added hastily.

Only then did Shane give a slight nod.

Victor exhaled in quiet relief.

These children grew more difficult by the day.

Even Adrian, the most obedient, had started rebelling.

Only Alexander, his son-in-law, remained reliably compliant.

"Take my car. It's more comfortable," Victor offered eagerly.

Shane arched a brow. "You sure about that?"

Victor's gaze flickered again to the bulge at Shane's waist. He waved his hands. "Never mind. Drive yourself."

Shane turned toward the parking lot without another word.

Sophia Laurent and Ethan Sullivan got into their own vehicle.

Victor wiped his sweaty palms.

At least the old foxes in business followed rules.

These sons of his kept pulling knives at the slightest provocation.

Especially Shane.

Forty minutes later...

By the riverside Sullivan Manor, two silver-haired elders leaned on canes, craning their necks in anticipation.

The moment the cars stopped, Eleanor Sullivan dropped her cane and rushed forward.

"Slow down!" William Sullivan stomped his foot in alarm.

Shane strode to meet her.

The elderly woman seized his hands, tears streaming. "My eldest grandson! Those eyes—just like Ethan and Natalie's!"

Her trembling fingers traced his face.

Shane instinctively flinched but forced himself still, bending slightly to accommodate her.

"A bit tanned, but so handsome." She laughed through tears. "You were just a baby when you disappeared..."

Shane lifted a hand awkwardly, freezing midair.

Victor tensed, watching that suspended limb.

"Worthless fool!" Eleanor suddenly rounded on Victor. "Why didn't you bring him sooner?"

Victor defended, "He was a tomb raider—"

"So that means he's not my grandson?" She swung a fist at him.

William observed mildly, "Let your mother vent."

Victor gritted his teeth and endured the blows.

Between strikes, Eleanor raged, "If my grandson hadn't been lost, would he have needed to rob tombs?"

"Not the face. I have meetings tomorrow," Victor whispered pleadingly.

She pummeled him until breathless.

Sophia hurried forward to support her.

"Come, dinner's ready." Eleanor clasped Shane with one hand, Sophia with the other.

Ethan watched their retreating backs, a sour taste in his mouth.

"Don't mind it," Victor consoled. "Your grandmother's overexcited."

"Sophia only has eyes for me," Ethan said coolly. "Unlike Audrey, who never gave you a second thought."

Victor choked on his reply.

In the dining room, the lavish spread conspicuously lacked Victor's favorite dishes.

Eleanor seated Shane and Sophia on either side of her.

"Your mother and Evelyn planned to arrange a marriage between you two," she said, serving Shane. "If you hadn't disappeared—"

Ethan coughed pointedly.

Both Shane and Sophia looked down.

"You stole your brother's bride and won't admit it?" Eleanor glared at Ethan.

"I have a girlfriend," Shane interjected.

Her eyes lit up. "Bring her to meet me!"

Shane glanced at Victor.

Receiving silent permission, he nodded.

"I'll prepare a generous red envelope!" Eleanor beamed.

Victor abruptly interjected, "Let's not rush adding him to the family registry."

Shane's expression turned glacial.

"My son won't be entering any Sullivan registry!" A crisp female voice rang from the doorway.

All turned.

Audrey Sullivan strode in, heels clicking, commanding the room.