Chapter 424

Ethan Roscente tapped the table with his slender fingers. "The Roscente Group has deep collaborations with the royal family in Eudora."

His gaze lingered on Vivian Laurent.

Princess Fiona Grandelle was under tight royal protection. The public only knew the king had a sickly daughter but had never seen her face.

"You've lost weight," Ethan suddenly frowned.

In just a few days, Vivian's jawline had sharpened noticeably.

Vivian instinctively touched her cheek. "Have I?"

She hadn't noticed any change in her weight.

"The queen has granted permission for me to take you out for lunch," Ethan's lips curved slightly. "Dr. Laurent, it's time to repay that meal you owe me."

Though he framed it as collecting a debt, his real intention was to give Vivian a break from the suffocating palace.

"I'll contact you when I'm done with my work," Vivian said, lowering her head to organize her files.

Ethan stood abruptly and grabbed her wrist. "We're leaving now."

He pulled her out of the room with firm determination.

Sunlight bathed them as they stepped outside. Vivian realized she'd been cooped up in the palace for an entire week.

The streets buzzed with hurried pedestrians, the air fragrant with the scent of freshly baked bread.

"What would you like to eat?" Ethan slowed his pace.

"Anything," Vivian replied absently.

Ethan had deliberately chosen not to drive, leading her on a leisurely stroll instead.

"Should we take a cab?" Vivian glanced at her watch. "I need to return soon."

"No rush," Ethan said, hands in his pockets. "Food tastes better when you're hungry."

Vivian shot him an exasperated look.

"Fiona's condition won't change in this short time," Ethan said calmly. "You deserve a break."

After nearly an hour of walking, they finally arrived at a reserved restaurant.

Tucked away in a quiet alley, the traditional Eudoran eatery exuded rustic elegance.

To her surprise, Vivian realized she was genuinely hungry.

She took small bites of the local specialties, unexpectedly savoring the flavors.

"Consider the debt repaid," Vivian set down her fork. "Don't disturb my work again."

Ethan chuckled. "We'll see about that."

He barely touched his food, his gaze fixed on Vivian's face.

Watching her eat, he recalled the same focused expression she'd worn while treating his leg injury.

"Vivian," he called softly.

She looked up, meeting his inscrutable stare.