Downstairs in the living room, Vincent Laurent held a medicine bowl, carefully feeding Evelyn Grandelle spoonful by spoonful.

Evelyn swallowed the last bitter sip, her brows still furrowed when Vincent popped a candy into her mouth.

"Audrey just visited," Evelyn said around the sweet treat, her voice muffled. "She barely left when your brother showed up. Judging by his expression, he must've run into her."

Vincent chuckled softly. "Some people miss their chance, and it's gone forever."

Evelyn sighed thoughtfully. "Matters of the heart are unpredictable."

"My brother has remained single since his wife passed," Vincent paused, "I suspect Audrey still holds a place in his heart."

Evelyn shook her head. "Audrey isn't an ordinary woman. The reason she's dragging out her divorce with Victor is likely waiting for Ethan to take over the family business."

Vincent raised an eyebrow. "My brother's wealth rivals Victor's. If Audrey truly cared, why fuss over assets?" His tone turned meaningful. "Every marriage has its own dynamic. Some couples, like us, treat each other with respect. Others bicker their whole lives. If they ever stopped fighting, that's when you'd know something was wrong."

Evelyn's eyes widened in realization. "No wonder they're called a love-hate couple."

Night fell.

Audrey's bridal boutique glowed brightly under the streetlights.

Victor Sullivan stood at the entrance like a sentinel, bundled in a black cashmere coat with a snow-white scarf around his neck, clutching a massive bouquet of red roses.

It was a weekend, and the boutique buzzed with customers.

Victor waited over an hour without a trace of impatience, instead wallowing in self-congratulation.

The mighty chairman of Sullivan Group, willingly sacrificing his precious time to wait—what greater proof of love could there be?

The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became: he must truly love Audrey.

He'd never realized it before, but now it was crystal clear.

"Old dog?" Audrey blinked at the absurd sight the moment she stepped outside. "What's this performance about?"

Victor proudly presented the flowers. "Taking you home."

Audrey burst out laughing at his scarf. "Aren't you boiling in all that winter gear? I don't recall you wearing scarves for decades."

A rare blush crept up Victor's cheeks. "You loved watching 'Shanghai Bund' when you were young. Every time Chow Yun-fat appeared in his white scarf, you'd swoon."

Audrey snorted. "That was ages ago. You remember?"

"Funny how aging makes you recall the little things," Victor said gently.

Just as Audrey prepared a retort, her boutique staff began filing out after closing.

"Wow, Mrs. Sullivan! Your husband is so handsome!"

"You're so lucky he picks you up from work!"

"Even after all these years, still so romantic! My husband's never even picked me a dandelion!"

Audrey rolled her eyes. "You little flatterers."

In unison they protested: "We're just being honest!"

Victor beamed, itching to hand out red envelopes on the spot.

"Alright, enough. Go home," Audrey shooed them away.

Seizing the moment, Victor grabbed her wrist. "You're riding with me today."

She struggled halfheartedly as he guided her into the car. The driver swiftly locked the doors.

"Home," Victor commanded.

"Take me to my apartment," Audrey countered coldly.

The driver broke out in a sweat but ultimately turned toward her apartment.

Victor yanked off the scarf and tossed it aside. "Sweltering. What idiot assistant bought this furnace of a scarf?"

Audrey smirked. "An old man trying to play the dashing young gentleman."

The driver couldn't resist: "Madam, the chairman really did look like a Hong Kong movie star today."

"Please," Audrey scoffed. "You've all inflated his ego beyond reason."

The driver thought privately: You're the only one in the entire company who doesn't treat Chairman Sullivan like royalty. Every other female employee worships him.

No one noticed the black sedan parked under nearby trees.

Adrian Sullivan lowered his binoculars, his face stormy.

He dialed a number. "Grandfather, guess what I just saw? That old fool Victor wagging his tail outside Audrey's shop like a lovesick puppy."

Leonard Laurent's raspy voice crackled through the phone: "When your mother died, I made him promise not to remarry for five years. What happened? He married Audrey in under two. I hinted he shouldn't rush into children, and bam—Audrey got pregnant." The old man's voice trembled. "My daughter died unjustly!"

Adrian cut in impatiently: "At this rate, they'll never divorce. Where does that leave me?"

"Be patient."

"Patient?" Adrian sneered. "That old man could live to a hundred with his health regimen. By then I'll be in my seventies—what use is any of it then?"

Leonard sighed. "This isn't the time for rash actions."

Adrian hung up angrily and slammed the accelerator onto Riverside Drive.

Icy wind howled through the open windows.

He kept accelerating, as if speed could outrun his fury.

CRASH!

The airbag exploded outward.

Darkness swallowed Adrian's vision as consciousness slipped away.