Chapter 306

The Substitute

"Absolutely true."

Felix Valdemar's voice held disbelief.

The world had truly gone mad.

"She used to love you desperately, but now she looks at you like a stranger. No wonder she refused to save Sophia Evans. I wouldn't either."

"Sophia is not my lover," Ethan Roscente interrupted coldly.

"I know. But Vivian Laurent doesn't. The outside world knows nothing about your brother's existence—not even Vivian."

"My brother's matter isn't for public discussion," Ethan said firmly.

Alexander Roscente was the Roscente family's unacknowledged illegitimate son. He had never considered himself part of the family.

"Was Vivian an outsider? She was your wife. If you hid things from the person who shared your bed, of course she misunderstood. If you couldn't let go, why divorce her in the first place?"

Ethan remained silent.

Felix pressed on, "Winning her back won't be easy now. Ethan, this must be what they call the 'chasing-your-ex-into-hell' trope."

"Enough!" Ethan snapped.

He left the Royal Equestrian Club shortly after.

For days, he couldn't catch a glimpse of Vivian.

DarkKingdom Headquarters.

News of Zero's failed mission sent shockwaves through the organization.

He was summoned by the director for questioning.

Zero offered an excuse and brushed it off.

As he stepped out of the office, a crisp voice called, "Master!"

"Annika? Shouldn't you be training?"

Annika Heilbronn was the youngest operative in DarkKingdom. At eighteen, she was already ruthlessly efficient.

The organization raised agents from childhood. Annika had been brought in as a child.

Brutal training weeded out the weak. Only the strongest survived.

Four years ago, Zero had stumbled upon Annika moments before her elimination.

Her eyes reminded him of someone.

Against protocol, he spared her.

Over the years, Zero personally trained her. Her eyes grew more familiar—they mirrored Shadow's.

"My shooting and combat skills have been off lately. I need your guidance."

Firearms and hand-to-hand combat were essential survival skills.

Training sessions with Zero were her happiest moments.

"Follow me."

Zero walked ahead.

Annika watched his back, adoration in her gaze.

Without Zero, she wouldn't exist.

She knew of the legend within DarkKingdom—Shadow.

Shadow had vanished mysteriously four years ago. Rumors claimed death by failed mission.

Zero took her in shortly after Shadow's disappearance.

Some said her eyes resembled Shadow's.

Some called her Shadow's substitute.

But Shadow was gone.

She was content being the replacement.