Chapter 578

A Puzzling Case

"Ethan Roscente, belated affection is cheaper than weeds. Those past events are long over. I have no feelings left for you!"

"Really? Then say it again while looking into my eyes." Ethan's piercing gaze held her captive.

He could clearly see the hesitation in Vivian Laurent's eyes. She still loved him.

If this was about Theo, it was all a misunderstanding. He could call the boy over anytime to clarify—Theo was just his nephew.

When Vivian met his gaze, the storm of emotions swirling in those deep eyes left her speechless.

The sudden ringing of a phone shattered the moment.

"Your call." Vivian turned her face away.

Ethan was about to decline when the caller ID made him freeze. "Detective Chen?"

Vivian's steps faltered at the title.

"What?" Ethan's voice sharpened. "I'll be right there."

He released Vivian's hand. "You go ahead. There's an emergency."

"What happened?" She grabbed his sleeve.

After a brief hesitation, Ethan answered, "Sophia Sherwood, she—"

"What trouble is she causing now? Wasn't she just released?"

"She's dead."

Vivian's pupils constricted.

Dead? Just one day after leaving the police station?

"Detective Chen wants us to assist with the investigation," Ethan said grimly.

"Let's go now!" Vivian yanked open the car door.

At the precinct, Detective Chen pointed to the white sheet on the autopsy table. "Found this morning. We couldn't reach her, so we checked the surveillance. She never left her apartment after returning home."

"Time of death?" Vivian's voice tightened.

"Yesterday morning, shortly after arriving home. Stab wound to the chest. Preliminary assessment suggests suicide."

"But here's the strange part." The detective pulled up phone records. "Right before death, she was searching 'how to hire a hitman.' Doesn't sound like someone planning suicide."

The footage showed no visitors. No signs of struggle at the scene.

A fruit knife protruded from her chest. Only Sophia's fingerprints were on the handle.

"The most puzzling detail," the detective lowered his voice, "the coroner found traces of hallucinogens in her system."

Vivian and Ethan exchanged glances, both thinking of one person—the mastermind who remained at large.