Isabella Valentine's face drained of color.

She rose slowly from the couch, her slender fingers trembling slightly. Tears glistened in her eyes as she looked at Ethan Sullivan.

"Ethan..." Her voice quivered. "Your father asked me to deliver these documents."

Her pitiful expression could have softened any heart.

But Ethan remained unmoved.

With a cold expression, he grabbed her arm and unceremoniously pushed her out the door.

The door slammed shut behind her.

Ethan immediately dialed Victor Sullivan's number.

"Did you send Isabella here?" His tone was icy.

Victor replied without hesitation, "You promised to help with her career."

"And visiting my room at midnight qualifies as work?" Ethan's knuckles turned white.

"Anything work-related counts," Victor dismissed.

Ethan scoffed. "Have you forgotten the iron barrel incident so soon?"

"That was Victoria's idea. Isabella had nothing to do with it."

"Like she didn't know?"

Victor insisted, "She just loves you too much."

"Then what did Sophia do wrong?" Ethan suppressed his anger.

"She knows the reason." Victor abruptly ended the call.

Ethan took deep breaths to calm himself.

Glancing at the time, he hesitated before calling Sophia Laurent.

The call connected quickly, but only a cool response greeted him.

"Are you unwell?" He softened his voice.

"No." Her tone was distant.

Sensing something amiss, Ethan quietly wished her goodnight before hanging up.

On the other end, Sophia sat curled on the carpet, staring blankly at her phone.

By 1 AM, she was on a flight to Seattle.

In the hazy dawn light, a taxi carried her toward the hotel.

Her heart felt colder than the morning mist.

The elevator ascended directly to the penthouse.

At the suite door, her hand hovered midair.

Terrified of what she might find, yet unable to walk away.

Finally, she leaned against the wall outside to wait.

Minutes ticked by.

Jack Anderson whispered, "Madam, should we—"

"No." Sophia cut him off.

Isabella's mocking words echoed in her mind, each syllable twisting like a knife.

At exactly 8 AM, the door suddenly opened.

Caught off-balance, Sophia stumbled backward.

Ethan caught her firmly, surprise flashing in his eyes.

"Why didn't you ring the bell?" His scolding voice held concern.

Sophia pulled free and marched inside.

She searched every corner, even checking the closet.

"Looking for something?" Ethan arched an eyebrow.

Ignoring him, Sophia continued her inspection.

Only when satisfied the room was empty did she freeze in place.

Ethan leaned against the doorframe, smirking. "Came all this way to catch me cheating?"

Sophia pressed her lips together in silence.