Chapter 713

The nurses exchanged uneasy glances, none daring to make any promises.

The glaring red letters on the critical condition notice burned into Ethan Roscente's vision.

"Sir, you must sign this before we can proceed with resuscitation."

Ethan snatched the document, his pen nearly tearing through the paper.

His hand trembled as he signed.

The surgery had been successful—how could Theo's condition suddenly deteriorate?

Vivian Laurent's exhausted face flashed through his mind.

He gripped his phone but ultimately didn't dial her number.

The operating room lights glared harshly.

Ethan slammed his fist against the wall, blood seeping from his knuckles.

This was all Sophia Evans's fault!

That vile woman!

His assistant rushed over, handing him two sealed files.

Ethan stared at the paternity test reports, his breathing turning ragged.

He tore open the first one—his and Theo's.

A 73% match rate made him shut his eyes briefly.

With shaking fingers, he opened the second report.

The words "No Biological Relation" stabbed into his heart like a blade.

Darkness edged his vision.

All these years of preferential treatment, all his restraint—it had all been a joke.

The hospital room door burst open.

Sophia was berating a nurse when she froze mid-sentence.

"Ethan?" Her voice caught in her throat.

The murderous rage in his eyes turned her blood to ice.

He seized her by the throat and slammed her against the wall.

"Why?" His voice grated like sandpaper.

Sophia's feet left the ground, her face turning purple.

"Theo adored you..." Ethan's grip tightened.

As nurses screamed, Sophia clawed bloody streaks into his arm.

"Do you have any idea..." His eyes burned crimson, "...about that paternity test?"

Sophia's pupils contracted violently.

Finally, she understood the source of his fury.

Mortal terror consumed her.

Oxygen dwindled. Darkness crept in.