Chapter 775

The apartment was silent in the dead of night. Zoe Chamberlain sat motionless before her computer screen.

Vivian Laurent's profile glared back at her—renowned surgeon Dr. Luna, elite designer AN, founder of Triple Six Realty, piano prodigy... Each title was more staggering than the last.

"How does she deserve all this..." Zoe's grip on the mouse tightened until her knuckles turned white.

A shrill doorbell shattered the stillness.

Zoe jolted violently, her phone slipping from trembling fingers to thud against the carpet.

"Who is it?" Her voice quivered as she glanced at the wall clock—2:17 AM.

That mysterious woman never rang the doorbell.

Barefoot, Zoe crept to the foyer and peered through the peephole.

The security monitor displayed a chillingly familiar face.

Zoe's breath hitched, her heart skipping a beat.

For one terrifying moment, she thought it was the woman who'd been threatening her.

Then recognition dawned—Vivian Laurent.

"Zoe, open up." Vivian's voice penetrated the door.

Zoe trembled violently, fingers digging into the doorframe.

On the monitor, Vivian stared directly into the camera as if seeing straight through her.

The soft click of the lock engaging echoed in the silent apartment.

"You think hiding will save you?" Vivian's laugh was ice-cold. "Do the people in hospital beds haunt your dreams?"

Zoe bit her lip until coppery blood filled her mouth.

"Not my fault..." She shook her head soundlessly, nails carving crescents into her palms.

"Three. Two—"

Vivian's countdown was a death knell.

Ethan Roscente stepped forward abruptly. "Allow me."

He drew his pistol and fired at the lock.

BANG!

Acrid smoke curled from the shattered electronic mechanism as the door swung open.

Zoe staggered backward, knocking over a vase in the foyer.

"Breaking and entering! I'll call the police!" Her scream dissolved into tremors.

Vivian advanced over broken porcelain shards, her elongated shadow stretching behind her in the moonlight.