Chapter 577

Sophia Sherwood's Demise

Liam Valdemar's brow furrowed slightly.

This woman was utterly insufferable.

Sophia Sherwood kept prattling on, her eyes filled with undisguised contempt.

"You're not bad-looking, but let me warn you—I already have someone special." She tilted her chin up arrogantly. "A lowly security guard like you couldn't even afford a single meal of mine."

A glacial chill seeped into Liam's gaze.

"You think I'm interested in you?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Sophia scoffed derisively. "Stop pretending. A penniless nobody like you isn't even worthy of—"

Her words died abruptly as her pupils contracted in shock.

She looked down to see a fruit knife embedded in her chest.

Crimson bloomed across her blouse in an instant.

Liam watched dispassionately as she collapsed.

He'd already donned gloves. Now he pressed Sophia's lifeless hand against the knife handle.

This blade had been purchased by Sophia herself.

As a professional operative, murder was second nature to Liam.

He'd spent three days mapping the surveillance blind spots in this neighborhood.

With Sophia recently unemployed, her corpse wouldn't be discovered for at least a week.

By then, decomposition would make suicide the obvious conclusion.

Liam cast one final glance at the body.

Anyone who threatened Shadow would meet the same fate.

Ethan Roscente kept vigil outside Vivian Laurent's apartment all night.

Not once did fatigue touch him.

Being this close to Vivian filled him with quiet contentment.

Young Theo had wholeheartedly supported his decision.

At dawn, his assistant delivered breakfast.

Ethan dared not leave, unwilling to miss Vivian's departure.

The sound of a turning lock snapped him to attention.

"Vivian!"

She opened the door to find him holding breakfast.

"Let me drive you to work?"

"Ethan," Vivian sighed, "what exactly do you want?"

"To make amends." Ethan's gaze held raw sincerity. "When I was injured, you cared for me day and night."

He stepped closer. "Now it's my turn to protect you."