Chapter 185

Ethan's Obsession

The villa was eerily silent when Ethan pushed open the front door. His footsteps echoed through the empty space.

He scanned the living room. Not a soul in sight.

"Where is everyone?"

Finn peeked out from the kitchen, a half-eaten sandwich in hand.

"No idea." He swallowed his food. "Call her yourself."

Ethan narrowed his eyes at the young man.

Finn couldn't be older than twenty, his gaze still bright with youthful naivety.

Lucas was younger than Vivian. Now there was Finn too.

A realization struck Ethan—Vivian was constantly surrounded by younger men.

The thought twisted something in his chest.

At thirty-five, he carried himself with mature sophistication.

Yet for the first time, he felt the sting of age.

"What's your relationship with her?" Ethan's voice turned icy.

Finn shrugged. "None of your business. Leave a message or get lost."

Ethan strode to the couch and sat.

"I'm staying."

Finn nearly choked on his sandwich. "What?"

"Prepare a guest room." Ethan's tone brooked no argument. "Unless Vivian personally throws me out."

Somehow, Finn found himself climbing the stairs.

Only when standing outside the guest room with a broom did he snap out of it—why was he obeying this man?

He fumbled for his phone.

«Boss, Ethan's refusing to leave!»

The reply came moments later.

«Let him.»

Finn groaned and collapsed onto the bed.

Downstairs, Ethan watched the clock's hands complete another rotation.

"Where did she go?"

Finn rolled his eyes. "Vacation. Won't be back anytime soon."

Ethan frowned.

The excuse was too flimsy.

Unreachable by phone. Disappearing without a trace.

This wasn't like Vivian.

Meanwhile, at the warehouse district's outskirts...

Vivian perched on a tree branch, night-vision goggles revealing a dozen patrolling guards.

Her final mission: stealing from under Dominic's nose.

Her fingers brushed the equipment at her waist.

As long as she avoided direct confrontation...

The odds were still in her favor.