Chapter 859

"I'm coming with you," Lucas Lefèvre declared without hesitation.

He didn't care about anything left behind. As long as he could stay with Vivian Laurent, he could start over anywhere.

"Don't be ridiculous!" Vivian shot him a glare. "Stay put and visit me whenever you want."

Rubbing her reddened eyes, she added, "It's not like we're saying goodbye forever. I'm just going abroad for the delivery. When I return, you'll all get to be godparents—don't forget the red envelopes."

Finn Deross pointed at himself. "What about me? Do I get to be a godfather too?"

"You?" Vivian scoffed. "More like an older brother."

Letting Finn be a godfather would mess up the family hierarchy.

While comforting the sobbing Isabella Langley, she chided Finn, "And you—practice your shooting. Did you memorize what I taught you? Keep your hands steady when firing."

"My uncle never taught me any of this," Finn suddenly realized. "Wait, how did you know he can handle guns?"

He remembered Dominic Atlante had always hidden that skill around Vivian.

Vivian fell silent.

When would this dense apprentice finally connect the dots?

Did Finn still think she was unaware of Dominic's true identity?

Had all the brains in the Atlante family gone solely to Dominic?

"Lucky guess," she brushed him off. "Just focus on training. If you get arrested, don't expect me to bail you out."

"Relax, Master. My uncle's got my back anyway."

Vivian considered this. Dominic might actually be more effective than her in such situations—money solved most problems, and for the rest, brute force worked just fine.

"All of you—behave," she said sternly. "Lucas, Finn, take good care of Isabella. If I come back and find her thinner, you'll answer to me!"

Finn shrank back. "Got it. Just tell her to go easy on the beatings."

Isabella glared. "Maybe if you listened for once!"

"When don't I listen?" Finn mumbled pitifully.

Watching them, Vivian's eyes burned. Her flight was tomorrow—time to leave.

"No goodbyes at the airport," she insisted, fighting tears. "Visit me overseas in a few days."

She hated farewell scenes. This wasn't permanent anyway—they could reunite anytime.

"Viv..." Lucas started but held back.

They'd already arranged for Amy and Ellen to see her off tomorrow. Though Vivian traveled often, this departure felt different—heavier.

"I'll break your legs if you show up!" Vivian threatened. "No tears at the terminal. We'll meet again soon."

Lucas reluctantly nodded. "Stay safe. Keep in touch."

"What could possibly go wrong on a flight?"

Yet the next day, disaster struck.