Chapter 173

"Sophia Evans!" Ethan Roscente's voice cut through the air like ice.

He ended the call without hesitation. Even one more second of her voice was unbearable.

Sophia kept rambling, unaware. "Ethan, I saw the livestream. Why are you helping that bitch Vivian Laurent? She's clearly using you—"

The dial tone finally registered. The call had been terminated long ago.

Her phone shattered against the floor with a loud crack.

Theo cowered in the corner, trembling. "Mommy..."

"Useless!" Sophia yanked the boy up by his collar. "If you can't win your uncle back, don't even think about eating!"

The child's terrified tears only fueled her rage.

———

Ethan turned to look for Vivian, but she had vanished.

He intercepted Lucas Lefèvre, who was packing up equipment. "Where's Vivian?"

"None of your business." Lucas shoved him away. "An ex should know his place."

Ethan's eyes narrowed dangerously. "So it was you at her place that night?"

Lucas lifted his chin in defiance. "Keep harassing her, and you'll taste my fist."

A crew member informed him Vivian had already left, delegating the remaining tasks.

———

Vivian drove straight to Isabella Langley's apartment.

"Look who graced us." Isabella handed her a glass of ice water. "Triple Six crisis handled?"

"Annoyed." Vivian downed the entire glass in one go.

Isabella arched a brow. "The Valrose family? Or Ethan Roscente?"

"What do you mean?" Vivian sat bolt upright.

"Don't play dumb." Isabella pulled out her phone. "The entire internet's buzzing about your little construction site drama."

Vivian snatched the device. A livestream replay filled the screen.

Her fingers trembled slightly. "So... everyone saw it?"