Chapter 216

"Don't cry, Theo. Uncle's here."

Ethan Roscente knelt down, gently wiping the tears from the little boy's face.

Theo threw himself into Ethan's arms, tiny fingers clutching his sleeve desperately. "Don't go, Uncle."

"I'm not going anywhere." Ethan lifted the child, patting his back soothingly.

Sophia Evans stood frozen in the doorway, watching the scene unfold. She'd never seen this tender side of Ethan before. If he had his own child, she couldn't imagine how doting he would be.

Her mind wandered to fantasies of bearing Ethan's child...

Because of Theo, Ethan extended his stay in the Kingdom of Eudora.

Though the online scandal had died down and Roscente Group issued an official statement, Sophia's fans remained relentless.

"Just friends? Who hugs like that? Give me a break!"

"Some people are just jealous Sophia landed such a catch. The bitterness is palpable."

"Sophia will be Mrs. Roscente soon enough. Keep seething, peasants!"

Sophia's toxic fanbase had long earned their notorious reputation.

At the restaurant, Vivian Laurent dined with Isabella Langley, Lucas Lefèvre, and Finn Deross.

Isabella stabbed a piece of sweet-and-sour pork angrily. "Sophia keeps stirring drama online, and Ethan's no better. First he's holed up with you, then entangled with Sophia again."

Lucas paused mid-bite. "Viv, you and Ethan..."

"You slept together?" Finn's eyes widened comically.

Vivian nearly choked on her tea. "Don't be ridiculous! Nothing happened."

"But you said that night on the island..." Isabella wiggled her eyebrows.

"We shared a room, that's all! He slept on the floor while I took the bed!" Vivian's ears burned. "There was only one room left because of the rain and tourist crowds."

Isabella smirked knowingly. "Alone together all night with a beauty like you, and he didn't make a move? Maybe he's... deficient in that department?"

Vivian bit her lip. She knew firsthand Ethan had no such issues. That night on Santorini Island, she'd felt the intensity of his restraint.

Lucas clenched his fists. "If he dares mistreat you, I'll be the first to—"

"Who could possibly mistreat me?" Vivian served everyone fish. "Eat your food."

As laughter filled their table, a familiar figure entered the restaurant.

Victoria Roscente scanned the room, her gaze locking onto Vivian. A cold smile curled her lips as she strode purposefully toward them.