Chapter 617

"What's going on?" Vivian Laurent barely had time to react before Liam Valdemar appeared in front of her.

He pulled her into a secluded corner of the hallway.

"I saw everything." Liam's voice was dangerously low. "How dare they treat you like that?"

Vivian shook her head. "Bianca Semona just lost her father. It's understandable that she's emotional."

"But you were the one who tried to save him!" Liam's knuckles turned white. "Her father's time was up. That wasn't your fault. Let me teach her a lesson."

"No!" Vivian gripped his sleeve tightly. "If you intervene, it changes everything."

A flash of fury crossed Liam's eyes. "I can't stand this."

"I'm not bothered by it." Vivian kept her voice soft. "My conscience is clear."

"Ethan Roscente is useless." Liam scoffed. "Can't even protect his own woman."

Vivian frowned. "This has nothing to do with him. He came when I needed him—that's enough."

Liam leaned closer. "You're defending him again."

"I'm just stating facts." She took half a step back. "More importantly, why are you here?"

"Follow-up appointment." His expression remained neutral.

In truth, he'd been monitoring the hospital. He knew Annika Heilbronn's schemes better than anyone.

That patient's sudden death was no accident. Annika had used illusions to trigger the man's worst fears, causing cardiac arrest.

"Go get checked then." Vivian nudged him. "I have rounds to make."

Without warning, Liam wrapped his arms around her in a crushing embrace.

"Remember," he whispered against her ear, "Shadow operatives never take losses lightly. If she dares confront you again, I'll make her regret being born."

Footsteps echoed down the corridor.

Ethan stood at the far end, holding Theo Evans' hand. His gaze turned glacial.

Liam smirked and tightened his hold on Vivian.

"Let go." She pushed against his chest. "And call me Vivian from now on. No more Shadow references."

"Fine... Vivian." He deliberately brushed his lips near her ear.

She patted his shoulder like he was just another comrade.

As she turned to leave, she met Ethan's stormy glare.

Theo broke free from his uncle's grip and sprinted toward her. "Auntie! I memorized all those bad people's faces! When I grow up—"

"It's 'sister.'" Vivian crouched to correct him.

Before she could finish, strong arms yanked her into another embrace.

Ethan's grip was like iron—far more possessive than Liam's had been.