Ethan Sullivan's gaze was as sharp as a blade, piercing straight through Dominic Durand.

His handsome face darkened like storm clouds, radiating an icy aura.

Dominic shuddered under that stare.

Panic set in.

He'd heard of Ethan's reputation, but this was their first direct confrontation.

The man's presence was overwhelming, even more terrifying when enraged.

Dominic's legs turned to jelly, his instincts screaming at him to flee.

He turned to bolt.

As he passed Ethan, a hand clamped around his wrist, slamming him hard against the wall.

A dull thud echoed.

Dominic's back collided with the wall, pain shooting through him as cold sweat broke out.

Ethan grabbed his collar and drove a fist straight into his face.

A sickening crack sounded.

Dominic's nose shattered on impact.

Blood gushed instantly.

Before he could scream, another brutal punch landed near his eye.

Darkness swallowed his vision.

Dominic thrashed wildly.

But Ethan stood half a head taller, his refined appearance belying terrifying strength.

There was no breaking free.

At this rate, he'd lose his life before getting any money.

Desperate, Dominic shouted at Grace Langley, "Make him stop! Or else I'll—"

Another punch smashed into his mouth before he could finish.

Two teeth went flying.

Grace was busy stemming Sophia Laurent's bleeding.

Watching Dominic's face become unrecognizable, she sneered, "Serves you right! Coward who bullies women, running scared from my son-in-law?"

Dominic, his eyes swollen, looked pleadingly at Sophia, "Sophia, let me explain—"

Grace snatched the bloodied towel and whipped it across his face.

A sharp slap rang out.

Dominic gasped in pain.

"Call my daughter's name again, I'll rip your mouth apart!" Grace's eyes blazed with fury.

Humiliated and enraged, Dominic struggled to retaliate.

Ethan's foot shot out.

A heavy thud.

Dominic crashed to the floor, his eyes rolling back in agony.

Daring not to provoke Ethan further, he spat threats at Grace instead, "Don't push me! I'll do anything if cornered!"

Grace glanced at Sophia's bloodstained collar and said to Ethan, "Don't waste breath on trash. Let's get Sophia to the hospital."

Ethan gave Dominic one last icy look before kicking his leg. "Get lost."

Dominic scrambled away like a beaten dog.

Ethan strode to Sophia.

Her nose was swollen, half her face smeared with blood.

"Hospital." His voice was tight.

Sophia shook her head. "The bleeding's almost stopped."

Ethan tilted her chin, examining the injury. "Possible nasal fracture. Needs imaging."

Grace urged, "Go. Don't risk complications."

Reluctantly, Sophia agreed.

Ethan bent to lift her.

"I can walk," she murmured.

Ignoring her protest, he swept her into his arms.

Watching their retreating figures, Grace's eyes grew moist.

She hurried ahead to open the door. After seeing them off, she turned to her mother's portrait and bowed deeply. "Mom, watch over these children from above."

After lighting incense, she rushed after them.

In the car:

Ethan asked grimly, "Who was that?"

Sophia gave a bitter smile. "My biological father."

Ethan's brow furrowed. "He deserves that title?"

From the passenger seat, Grace spat, "That bastard's worse than an animal!"

Sophia looked at her mother. "Why was he demanding money?"

Grace's eyes darted away. "Business debts from his failures."

Silence filled the car.

Suddenly serious, Grace warned, "Sophia, remember—no matter what sob story he spins, never give him a cent!"

Sophia nodded.

After a hesitation, she voiced the long-held question: "Mom... why did you two divorce?"

Grace's eyes reddened instantly. "That bastard cheated, kept a mistress, even fathered a secret son! He siphoned our assets before the divorce—even the house Grandpa gave me!"

Ice filled Sophia's heart.

The last shred of hope for her father dissolved.

Instinctively, she leaned closer to Ethan.

Noticing her movement, he gently clasped her hand. "Still hurting?"

"Better now," she whispered.

Grace chuckled seeing this. "Compared to Dominic, my son-in-law might as well be an angel descended from heaven. Aside from having a snobbish father, a meddling ex, a temper, and some pride—he's practically perfect."

The driver broke into a cold sweat.

Sophia hurried to explain, "Mom speaks her mind—"

But Ethan actually laughed. "Your mother's right."

Sophia blinked in surprise.

Since when had this man's temper softened so much?

At the hospital:

Sophia waited in the corridor for her scan.

Suddenly, she felt a venomous stare.

Looking up, she saw Victoria Windsor in a wheelchair.

Grace followed her daughter's gaze to a heavily made-up patient glaring daggers at Sophia.

"What are you staring at?" Grace immediately slammed her hands on the armrests and stood.

Victoria's face twisted, her expression turning even more malicious.

Sophia murmured, "That's Isabella's mother."

"What? The mistress's mom?" Grace's voice shot up.

She marched over, pointing at Victoria's nose. "Old hag, keep glaring and I'll break your other leg!"

Other patients turned to look.

Victoria's face turned ashen.