Chapter 56

Ethan Roscente flipped open the menu, his fingers hovering over several signature spicy dishes.

"I thought you couldn't handle spicy food?" Vivian Laurent glanced at the selections, her brow furrowing slightly.

Last time, he'd been rushed to the emergency room with gastric bleeding.

"Dr. Laurent enjoys it." Ethan closed the menu. "I recall you dislike cilantro and carrots."

Vivian scoffed. "Get to the point, Mr. Roscente. If this is about asking me to save someone, forget it."

"Just hoping to become friends." His expression remained neutral.

She nearly laughed aloud. Ethan Roscente could count his friends on one hand—Felix Valdemar and a childhood companion overseas.

The meal passed in tense silence. When Ethan offered to drive her home afterward, she declined without hesitation.

The hospital finally granted Vivian vacation time. The flood of patients seeking "Dr. Luna" had overwhelmed the facility, though other physicians were perfectly capable.

During her rest day, a message arrived from Amy. Julian Cortez had signed the endorsement contract, with the official announcement imminent. Victoria Roscente mistakenly credited Ethan for securing the deal and had begun heavy promotion.

Ethan found himself stretched thin lately. The real estate project had stalled, and after punching Lucas Lefèvre, that partnership dissolved completely. He considered approaching Vivian's ex-wife—the other Vivian.

But Vivian had blocked all his contact methods. His attempts to reach Lucas only yielded mockery.

"Late-night call? Ethan Roscente actually dared ask me to collaborate!" Lucas gulped down a glass of water angrily. "We still haven't settled the score from that punch!"

Vivian handed him a tissue. "He hasn't bothered me recently."

"Next time I see him, I'm returning the favor!" Lucas ground his teeth.

On her second vacation day, Emily Garnache called.

"Vivian, could you accompany me shopping? My father never lets me go out..." Emily's voice trembled with suppressed frustration.

"Of course." Vivian agreed readily. "I'll pick you up tomorrow."

Mr. Garnache trusted Vivian implicitly. They arranged to meet at the city's most luxurious mall.

"Thank you so much!" Emily clung to Vivian's arm. "I know you're the one who saved me."

Vivian patted her hand. "Living well is thanks enough."

As they entered the designer boutique section, they collided with Ethan and Victoria Roscente. Victoria held Julian Cortez's newly endorsed handbag.

The moment their eyes met, the air turned glacial.