Crying and struggling, Joshua was dragged away by the bodyguards.

From outside, the familiar sound of a car engine approached.

Sophie walked in, her usual smile resting lightly on her lips. She set down a luxury shopping bag stamped with a watch brand logo, then slipped into my arms, her voice soft and coaxing.

"Anthony, Joshua really went too far today. Tonight, you can have me however you want. Just don't hold it against him, alright?"

A cheap perfume scent drifted toward me as she moved.

It was Joshua's scent.

The nausea rose instantly. I shoved Sophie away without thinking.

She froze, disbelief and panic flashing across her eyes. She stepped forward instinctively, as if trying to pull me back.

Then, Joshua suddenly rushed in, stumbling straight into her arms.

"Sophie! For revenge, he had tattoos burned into every inch of my skin… It hurts so much…"

Sophie's breathing faltered.

She looked at Joshua's disheveled state, her expression growing furious.

"Anthony, when did you become this vicious? Joshua is still so young. Now that you've done this to him, how is he supposed to face anyone in the future?"

Her tone sharpened with every word.

"Will you only be satisfied after you've ruined him?"

I watched the way she shielded Joshua, and suddenly, I remembered the Sophie from years ago.

She had been so careful back then, so gentle that even when she held me, she barely tightened her grip.

The woman who once loved me… The one who bankrupted a rival just because they knocked a single strand of hair from my head…

She was long gone.

I forced down the bitterness clawing at my chest, struggling to steady my voice.

"Did you ever think, if my face was left like this, what am I supposed to do with the rest of my life?"

Sophie parted her lips, but no words came out.

Seeing her fall silent, Joshua pulled her closer and suddenly spoke up.

"Sophie! You've got good news you haven't told Anthony yet, right?"

He turned to me, his smile dripping with malice.

"Sophie is pregnant with my child. Congratulations, Anthony, you get to be the second dad."

The words hit me like a thunderbolt. I stood there, stunned.

Then, the anger finally broke loose. I lunged forward and slapped Joshua across the face.

The next instant, a vase smashed against my head.

Sophie's face was terrifyingly cold.

"Who gave you permission to touch Joshua? Anthony, you're going too far."

Blood mixed with shards as it trickled down, blurring my vision.

Joshua whimpered, tears streaming down his face.

"Sophie, it hurts…"

Sophie hurried to his side. "Joshua, I'll take you to the hospital right now."

As she passed me, she left behind a single sentence.

"Anthony, you need to calm down and learn how to be a proper husband."

She took Joshua's hand and moved to leave.

However, more than a dozen sharply dressed lawyers stood waiting at the door, blocking their way.

The middle-aged man at the front stepped forward and placed a document in front of Sophie.

"Ms. Spark, I'm afraid you can't leave just yet. According to the agreement you signed with Mr. Miller…"

He slid the papers toward her.

"All of your shares in the Spark Corporation have been frozen."