Chapter 215

Vivian's fingers tightened slightly around her phone.

Ethan's explanation had come out of nowhere.

There was clearly nothing between them, so why bother calling to clarify?

"Got it. Anything else?" Her voice was cold and distant.

"Are you home now?" Ethan seemed oblivious to her displeasure.

"Yes."

"Have you eaten? I can send a chef over to prepare something for you."

Just then, Sophia's sickly sweet voice suddenly came through the line. "Ethan, there you are! Who are you talking to?"

The exaggerated tone was clearly meant for Vivian to hear.

Vivian let out a cold laugh. "No need. You should focus on taking care of Miss Evans. Don't contact me again."

"Wait—"

The call ended abruptly.

Ethan stared at the darkened screen, an inexplicable fury rising in his chest.

He turned to Sophia, suddenly finding her pitiful expression nauseating.

"Ethan, did I interrupt something?" Sophia blinked her innocent doe eyes.

"No." He pocketed his phone. "Why are you out here?"

He had stepped out to handle business after Simon called, assuming Theo was still asleep.

"Theo woke up looking for you. He was crying so hard." Sophia bit her lip, her voice soft.

In reality, she had secretly pinched the sleeping child awake and threatened him not to tell his uncle.

"Sophia." Ethan took a step closer. "Did you leak those photos online?"

"What photos?" She feigned confusion. "I've been with Theo the whole time. Haven't even checked my phone."

She had arranged for someone else to handle it, keeping her own hands clean.

Ethan's gaze sharpened. "I've already taken down the trending topic. Keep your distance from now on. Don't give people the wrong idea."

"What wrong idea? Did Miss Laurent get upset?" Sophia pressed urgently. "I can explain—"

"Don't." His voice was icy.

Vivian already distrusted Sophia. Sending her to explain would only pour oil on the fire.

"I'm warning you—don't play games."

Sophia's eyes instantly welled with tears. "Ethan, how could you think that of me?"

"You know exactly what you're doing." Without another word, he turned and headed back to the hospital room.

Inside, Theo's wails were heart-wrenching.

The moment he saw Ethan, the child cried even harder.

"Uncle..." He threw himself into Ethan's arms, his small body trembling uncontrollably.

Beneath his clothes were bruises from the pinching, but he didn't dare speak up.

Sophia stood in the doorway, her gaze cold and venomous as she watched him.