Sophia Sullivan's eyes widened in shock.
This woman had completely lost all restraint.
Not only had she struck Sophia, but she'd even dared to lay hands on Liam Winston.
No one could have imagined that the usually docile and obedient Sophia possessed such strength.
Her past submissiveness now seemed like an illusion.
"Crazy?" Sophia scoffed lightly. "This is who I really am."
She meticulously wiped her fingers with a wet tissue, over and over. It didn't take a genius to guess how many intimate moments Liam and Chloe Evans had shared since her return.
"Old Mr. Winston is being discharged tomorrow. I'll be there." Her gaze swept over Liam's livid expression. "But I'm revoking The Decagon's invitation."
Liam opened his mouth to retort, but her mocking smile cut him off. "The great Mr. Winston has always been generous. Surely you won't begrudge me this? Or... are you still hung up on me? Is this your pathetic way of trying to keep me around?"
Her words struck a nerve.
His face darkened with rage. "That shady intelligence group means nothing! The Winston Group will thrive without them. Watch me secure Radiant Beauty Group's contract without The Decagon's help!"
A dangerous glint flashed in his eyes.
"Get out by tomorrow. Take every last worthless thing with you. I can't stand the sight of it."
Sophia smirked, tapping the lapel of his suit.
"I designed this myself. Since you find it tainted, consider it returned to its rightful owner."
This suit had been her proudest creation—sharp tailoring, ruby cufflinks gleaming against the black fabric.
Liam had always believed it was custom-made by a renowned designer.
In his fury, he ripped off the jacket and flung it at her.
"Trash from a nobody family with no taste. Take it all. Don't leave a single thread behind."
Sophia caught the jacket and tossed it into a nearby trash bin without hesitation.
"Gladly."
Liam gritted his teeth. She was doing this on purpose!
Whispers erupted among the onlookers outside the Civil Affairs Bureau.
"Is that guy her sugar baby? Returning gifts after a breakup?"
"Pathetic. Flaunting his new fling right after the divorce. How shameless."
Liam's face turned purple with rage, but Sophia was already speeding away in her car.
A cloud of dust kicked up by her tires hit him square in the face.
Since when had she become so ruthless?
Royal Princess Cruise VIP Suite
Ethan Sullivan didn't wake until noon.
The air still carried traces of last night's passion. The sheets were tangled beyond recognition.
His hand brushed against the pillow beside him. Cold. She'd been gone for hours.
A dangerous aura radiated from him as his eyes narrowed.
Beneath the pillow lay a pearl necklace, forgotten in her haste.
The pearls were flawless, centered by a bold ruby. The piece was as audacious as its owner—a calm exterior masking a wild spirit.
Rubbing his temples, fragments of the night replayed in his mind.
The curve of her waist. That haughty declaration: "I'm on top."
He had to admit—she moved with precision. Inexperienced but effective enough to leave marks. Skills like that didn't come from nowhere.
Ethan had an addiction to danger. Fast cars, brutal fights, life-threatening thrills—they all fed his hunger.
Finding a worthy opponent was rare.
More importantly, he'd recognized a kindred spirit. The pull had been instinctual.
As he reached for his phone, a note on the nightstand caught his eye.
It lay beneath his gun, flanked by scattered bills. The hasty scrawl read:
Performance unsatisfactory. Payment docked. Here's your tip.
Ethan chuckled darkly.
Classic her. He could practically see the挑衅 smirk as she'd written it.
Someone this brazen demanded further... investigation.
He dialed a number, voice icy. "Handle the tails from last night. Standard protocol."
"Already taken care of, sir," the voice on the line trembled. "But we haven't identified who sent them."
"The drug was Nightshade's new formula. Find out who ordered it."
Ethan paused, fingers tightening around the necklace.
"Also, investigate every woman who entered cabin 403 last night. I want her identity."
"Understood!"