Chapter 337

The dinner ended in silence.

Dominic Atlante glanced at his wristwatch and straightened his suit sleeves. "Aren't you going to see me off, Vivian?"

Vivian Laurent didn't look up from her phone. "Finn can do it."

"Thank you for your hospitality these days." Dominic pulled out a gold-embossed business card. "Call me if you need anything."

Vivian glanced at the card and smirked. "I doubt I'll need it."

Dominic leaned closer. "For example... pretending to be your boyfriend? I believe my status qualifies."

"How thoughtful." Vivian tossed the card onto the coffee table.

Finn Deross eagerly grabbed Dominic's luggage. "Uncle, come visit again soon!"

Dominic narrowed his eyes. "Will you miss me?"

"Of course!" Finn replied instantly.

"Then I'll stay." Dominic pretended to set down the suitcase.

"No, no!" Finn waved his hands frantically. "The company needs you! I'll... deal with my longing on my own!"

Dominic scoffed. The kid might as well set off fireworks to celebrate.

"Report Vivian's daily schedule to me," he whispered.

Finn's eyes widened. "Why?"

"To make sure you don't get sold off." Dominic glanced toward the living room.

Finn puffed out his chest. "My mentor would never!"

Dominic frowned. His nephew was hopelessly devoted.

"Either report, or come back to the company with me," he threatened.

The thought of working under his uncle made Finn shudder. "I'll report every day!"

"Uncle, hurry!" Finn pushed the suitcase toward the door. "You'll miss your flight!"

He would never know who his uncle truly cared about.

Ethan Roscente stood in the empty living room.

Moonlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting cold shadows. For the first time, he noticed how silent the mansion was—so quiet he could hear his own heartbeat.

The wine cellar door slammed open.

Ethan strode to the deepest shelf and grabbed a bottle of whiskey. The sound of the cap twisting echoed sharply.

Amber liquid burned down his throat.

One bottle emptied. Then another.

Images flashed through his mind—Vivian smiling at Dominic, their backs side by side.

In Eudora, he'd invited her to the gala, and she'd walked away without looking back. Now she spent every day with that man...

Bang! The bottle smashed against the oak table.

Ethan stood abruptly, sending the bottle crashing to the floor.

He had to find her. Now.