Chapter 518

"Patrick, the Dark Web really got what they deserved this time." Ethan Roscente's voice dripped with schadenfreude.

Dominic Atlante tapped his fingers rhythmically on the desk. "They had it coming."

"The irony? They can't even report it to the police." Patrick Alpinus laughed louder. "Those filthy rats are scrambling to find their missing people."

Ethan's gaze darkened. "Any leads on who did it?"

"It's bizarre." Patrick lowered his voice. "Their entire prison was emptied without a trace. Not even the surveillance caught anything."

Vivian Laurent's face flashed through Ethan's mind.

Too coincidental.

She'd disappeared two days ago and returned injured. The Dark Web incident happened during the same timeframe.

"Ethan? You still there?" Patrick's voice crackled through the phone.

Knock knock knock—

The office door interrupted.

Ethan looked up to see Theo Evans peeking through the glass door on tiptoes.

"We'll talk later." He ended the call abruptly.

"Uncle!" Theo scampered in, eyes sparkling. "I found out!"

Ethan lifted the boy onto his lap. "Tell me."

"It's a man in that room!" Theo whispered conspiratorially. "He's known Aunt Vivian for years!"

Ethan's fingers stiffened.

A man? Known for years?

A chilling suspicion formed—was this the person rescued from the Dark Web prison?

"Uncle, you look scary." Theo poked his cheek.

Ethan massaged his temples.

If Vivian had done this...just how many secrets was she hiding? Moving freely within the Dark Web defied all logic.

He immediately dialed the hospital's internal line.

"Pull the records for VIP Room 3's patient."

Ten minutes later, the reply came.

"Mr. Roscente, no access. The patient's information is classified—only Dr. Laurent has clearance."

Ethan clenched his fist.

This level of secrecy confirmed his doubts.

Standing before the floor-to-ceiling windows, he stared toward the hospital. Vivian remained an enigma—every time he thought he grasped the truth, it slipped away like smoke.

Now there was this mysterious man.

Ethan's eyes turned glacial. Whoever made Vivian risk herself would pay dearly.