Chapter 517

"Are you free now, sis?"

"I just finished my shift. Let's talk in my office." Vivian Laurent took Theo's chubby little hand, leading him down the hospital corridor.

"Who was that patient earlier?" Theo tilted his face up, eyes sparkling with curiosity.

He needed to gather intel for Uncle Ethan. This could be a potential rival.

"An old friend."

"An auntie or uncle? Have you known them long?" Theo pressed further.

Vivian chuckled at his innocent questioning. "An uncle. We've known each other for years."

Theo's heart sank. A long-time male friend? That sounded like serious competition for his uncle.

"Do you like him?" Theo stamped his foot impatiently.

Vivian paused. "Just like you and your kindergarten friends. We're good friends."

Theo suddenly lowered his head, voice muffled. "I don't have any friends."

"Hmm?"

"You're my first friend!" His smile reappeared, though the medical mask covered most of his face. The loneliness in his eyes remained visible.

Vivian's heart softened. The boy always wore that mask—she'd never seen his full face.

"Can I see what you look like, Theo?"

He immediately clutched his mask, shaking his head violently.

No way! He looked too much like Uncle Ethan.

"Alright, whenever you're ready." Vivian ruffled his hair affectionately.

After leaving the hospital, Theo headed straight for Roscente Group.

Sophia Sherwood stood in the lobby when a child strolled in boldly.

Stranger still—the receptionist didn't stop him. Instead, she personally escorted him to the CEO's private elevator.

"Who's that child?" Sophia intercepted the receptionist.

"Mr. Roscente's special guest, Manager Sherwood."

Sophia's eyes darkened. Could this be Ethan and Sophia Evans' love child?

As she watched the ascending elevator numbers, her nails dug deep into her palms.

In the top-floor office, Theo looked around curiously.

Ethan was on the phone with Patrick Alpinus, expression grim.

"Dark Web prison break? When?"

"Past two days," Patrick's voice came through the receiver. "Several high-profile inmates escaped."

Ethan's brow furrowed. The Dark Web was an underground organization even law enforcement couldn't touch. This breakout was no accident.

He spotted the small figure peeking through the doorway and ended the call abruptly.

"Uncle Ethan!" Theo rushed forward, wrapping his arms around the man's legs.

Ethan lifted the boy into his arms, unaware of Sophia's venomous gaze through the glass office doors.