Chapter 479
Ethan Roscente tossed and turned in the Kingdom of Eudora.
Each second without Vivian Laurent felt like a dull knife carving into his flesh.
He threw off the covers and dialed his assistant. "Prepare the jet. I'm returning to the States."
After hanging up, he walked to the children's room. Little Theo was gazing at the stars by the window.
"Theo, how would you like to go back to the States with Uncle Ethan?"
Theo's eyes lit up. "Really? Will Mommy come too?"
Ethan's expression darkened. "Mommy needs to stay here to handle some business."
He had already made up his mind. Sophia Evans was a ticking time bomb—she had to remain in Eudora.
"But..." Theo twisted his fingers nervously.
Ethan crouched down. "I promise to buy you the newest Lego set."
Theo exhaled in quiet relief. Finally, no more pinching from Mommy.
Three hours later, the private jet soared into the sky.
By the time Sophia stormed into the airport, only fading contrails remained on the runway.
"Ethan Roscente!" She kicked over a trash can in a fit of rage.
A bodyguard blocked her path with a blank expression. "Ms. Evans, you need to leave."
Inside the cabin, Theo played with a model airplane given by the flight attendant.
"Uncle Ethan, what should I say when we see Aunt Vivian?"
Ethan stared at the sea of clouds outside the window. "Tell her... Uncle Ethan knows he was wrong."
The jet touched down at the international airport at dusk.
Ethan first settled Theo at the Roscente Family Estate.
"Wait here for me."
He drove straight to Vivian's apartment, only to find a thin layer of dust on the doorknob.
The hospital schedule showed: Dr. Laurent—two-week leave.
A construction site guard scratched his head. "The project manager? She hasn't been here since last week."
As night deepened, Ethan stood at a crossroads, gripping the steering wheel.
His phone buzzed. A voice message from Theo: "Uncle Ethan, I found Aunt Vivian's photo in the closet!"
On the back of the photo was a handwritten note: South Mountain Sanatorium, Room 603.