Chapter 461

The operating room equipment had been personally selected by Queen Eleanor. Vivian Laurent inspected each piece meticulously, confirming everything was in order.

Ryan Fairsprene stood nearby preparing the surgical instruments. Though only a resident, his foundational skills were impeccable.

Fiona Grandelle lay on the operating table, her fingers gripping the sheets tightly. The Queen stood by the doorway, her face etched with worry.

"Dr. Laurent, my daughter's face suffered secondary damage during the last revision surgery," the Queen's voice trembled. "Her recovery depends entirely on you now."

Vivian pulled on her gloves. "I'll give it my all."

The surgical lights blazed to life. The scar tissue on Fiona's face had formed over a decade ago - dark brown keloids crawling across half her face like centipedes.

Vivian picked up the scalpel. This type of mature scar required excision and skin grafting, a procedure most surgeons wouldn't dare attempt.

Ryan watched Vivian's hands with rapt attention. Each incision was executed with flawless precision, as though she were sculpting a masterpiece.

Meanwhile, Sophia Evans was executing her own scheme. She'd timed it perfectly - Ethan Roscente had an important board meeting today.

"Have Theo slip out through the back," she whispered to the nanny, pressing a note into her hand. "Tell them he was crying for his mother."

The news reached Ethan within minutes.

"Young master, Theo is missing!" The butler rushed in, sweat beading on his forehead.

Ethan shot to his feet. "Since when?"

"He said he wanted to find his mother...then vanished when we turned around."

Ethan immediately dialed Sophia's number. Over-the-top sobs answered him. "My baby! I need to find him!"

Amid the chaos, Sophia slipped out of the mansion. Theo waited by the designated fountain, just as planned.

"Mommy!" He ran toward her. "Let's go home..."

Sophia seized his wrist. "Mommy's taking you for ice cream."

She dragged the child toward the shopping district, deliberately choosing crowded routes. Theo stumbled along, his small face clouded with unease.