Sophia Sullivan finished handling the kidnapping case and turned to Ian Watson. "You should head back first. I have other matters to attend to."
Ian's eyes were red-rimmed. "Miss Sullivan, we owe you our lives."
His voice trembled. "If you hadn't disarmed the bomb, we would have died here."
Sophia gave a faint smile. "It was nothing. I'll take my leave now."
She didn't say goodbye to Ethan Sullivan.
Ian Gallagher was treating Ethan's wounds, and Ethan still needed to care for Emma Sullivan.
Sophia quickly left the scene. She needed to uncover the mastermind behind this kidnapping.
The audacity of these criminals to strike at her during the competition.
After wrapping up the aftermath, Ian reported to Ethan. "President Sullivan, the area has been secured. Miss Sullivan said she had urgent business and left."
Ethan's brow furrowed slightly. He acknowledged with a cold hum.
He dismissed Ian.
Learning of Sophia's departure, he said nothing, but his hand clenched unconsciously.
Facing death, his thoughts had turned to Sophia—a feeling he couldn't quite define.
Once Ian finished bandaging the wound, he stretched.
"Sophia's gone. I should head out too."
Ethan thanked him.
Ian grinned innocently. "No need. I did it for Sophia."
With a wave, he left.
Ethan took Emma back to the Winston Estate.
Julian Roscente had been waiting for some time. For once, his usual smile was absent. "Is Emma alright?"
His expression was icy.
"I've had people investigate. The perpetrators covered their tracks well. Those desperate men left no leads. This was clearly targeted at you."
Ethan massaged his temples. "I have too many enemies. This isn't surprising."
But he would get to the bottom of it.
Seeing they were unharmed, Julian sighed. "Have you been cursed lately? Always getting yourself injured. Maybe you should get married to change your luck."
Ethan ignored the remark and countered, "You never used to bring up marriage. Have you been spending too much time with Isabella Robinson?"
Julian fell silent.
The private doctor finished tending to the wound. "Dr. Gallagher's emergency treatment was excellent. The bullet's been removed, and recovery should be smooth."
Ethan wasn't concerned about his own injury. "How's Emma?"
"Dr. Gallagher is treating her. I'm not versed in psychiatric care, but her condition has improved significantly. She just won't stop crying."
Julian frowned. "She's been crying this whole time?"
The doctor explained, "Crying is good—it means she's releasing pent-up emotions. Miss Sullivan had been too repressed before. In a way, this ordeal may have helped."
Having worked for the Sullivans for years, he was fond of Emma and relieved to see her progress.
Ethan relaxed slightly.
Julian studied the doctor for a long moment before suddenly saying to Ethan, "That Dr. Gallagher is a heavyweight in his field. Rumor has it Sophia Sullivan recommended him. It seems her background is more significant than we thought."