Sophia Sullivan stepped out of the Sullivan estate.
The gentle smile on her face vanished instantly.
A frosty expression took its place.
She strode briskly toward the parking lot.
The sharp click of her heels echoed urgently against the pavement.
Sliding into the driver’s seat, she slammed her foot on the accelerator.
The sports car shot forward like an arrow.
She sped all the way to the genetic testing center.
Dr. Murphy had been waiting in his office for some time.
"Ms. Sullivan, the DNA comparison results are ready."
He handed her a sealed document.
Then politely excused himself, closing the door behind him.
Sophia stared at the thin folder.
Her fingertips trembled slightly.
Taking a deep breath, she tore open the seal.
She flipped straight to the last page.
Her eyes locked onto the conclusion at the bottom.
—No blood relation.
Sophia froze, staring at those words.
A storm of emotions churned inside her.
The trail ended here.
Yet, inexplicably, she felt relief.
Thank God.
She and Ethan Sullivan weren’t related.
This testing center was renowned for its confidentiality.
The office had no surveillance.
Even the soundproofing was impeccable.
Sophia folded the report and tucked it into her bag.
She pulled out her phone and dialed a number.
"Ryan, dig into Ethan Sullivan’s mother."
"I want everything you can find."
"Leave no stone unturned."
A whiny voice answered.
"Boss, you finally remembered me."
"You promised to visit The Decagon."
"It’s been ages."
Sophia rubbed her temples.
"This is important."
"I trust you’ll handle it."
Ryan immediately straightened up.
"Consider it done!"
"But when are you coming back?"
"The guys are going stir-crazy."
Sophia replied curtly.
"Soon."
She hung up and headed for the exit.
The moment she stepped outside, an irritating voice called out.
"Sophia Sullivan!"
Liam Winston and Chloe Evans emerged from the shadows.
They’d clearly been lying in wait.
Sophia’s brows furrowed.
"Following me now?"
Her disgust was palpable.
Liam shifted uncomfortably under her glare.
But remembering his mother’s instructions, he forced himself to speak.
"I was wrong before."
"I’m apologizing for Chloe."
"She shouldn’t have copied your perfume."
His tone was grudging.
His expression even more so.
"Mom and Grandpa miss you."
"They hope you’ll visit sometime."
"A divorce doesn’t have to mean enemies."
Sophia listened coldly, arms crossed.
Her face remained impassive.
"Finished?"
Her voice was icy.
"So you came all this way."
"Just to spout this nonsense?"
Liam choked on his words.
Chloe stepped in with a fragile smile.
"I’ll accept any punishment, sister."
"But the perfume was for Liam."
"You loved him so much once."
"Why let hatred ruin everything?"
Their act was transparent.
A facade of reconciliation masking ulterior motives.
Sophia scoffed.
"Love turning to hate?"
"You’re not worth the effort."
She pressed her car key.
Turning to leave, Liam blocked her path.
"Wait!"
After a pause, he finally revealed his true purpose.
"You secured the collaboration with Radiant Beauty Group."
"But the Winston Group needs it more."
"Name your price to step aside."
He tried appealing to sentiment.
"Grandpa built Winston Group from nothing."
"You wouldn’t want it to miss this opportunity, would you?"
Sophia finally smiled.
A mocking, razor-sharp smile.
She lifted her gaze lazily.
Her red lips parted.
"Not my problem."