Chapter 89

Zero's heartbeat quickened. If Shadow was alive, where had she been these four years?

That woman's presence felt eerily similar to Shadow's.

He'd never stopped searching for traces of her all these years.

He needed to test this woman. But the situation was chaotic now—he had to escape quickly. For her sake, Zero had already lingered too long here. Things were getting dangerous.

That familiar sensation of being watched prickled Vivian's skin. She scanned the room, only spotting Ethan Roscente standing nearby.

Lucas had gone to cut the jade stones, completely unfazed by the earlier incident. He'd chosen exactly the two raw stones Vivian had pointed out.

Vivian remained still, lost in thought.

The Bodhisattva Jade was sizable. With tonight's security level, who could've smuggled it out unnoticed?

An ordinary person couldn't. But if the organization was involved...

She knew their methods too well. Were they here tonight?

That feeling of being observed—could it be...

A suit jacket suddenly draped over her shoulders. The familiar cologne enveloped her.

Vivian turned to meet Ethan's intense gaze.

"No thanks. I don't need it."

"Put it on. The AC's too strong." His eyes studied her expression. "You feeling unwell?"

"No." She was just thinking.

Stealing the jade right under everyone's noses—that took perfect execution. Who in the organization could pull that off?

As she moved to remove the jacket, Ethan stopped her. "Stop being stubborn. About Victoria—I apologize for her. She's been spoiled since childhood."

"Doesn't matter." Vivian's tone was flat. "I don't waste thoughts on insignificant things."

Ethan fell silent.

His gaze shifted to Lucas in the distance. "Your choice in men remains questionable. He's only focused on himself, not you at all."

Lucas was completely absorbed watching the stone-cutting machine.

Vivian chuckled. "My taste in men has always been terrible. You know that."

Ethan frowned. Was that a dig at him?

"So what now, ex-husband?" Vivian arched a brow. "Unhappy with your own life, so you can't stand seeing others happy?"

"That's not what I meant." Ethan's voice lowered. "I just don't want you repeating past mistakes. You should live for yourself."

"How thoughtful of you."

Seeing the complicated look in Ethan's eyes, Vivian added, "Genuine thanks. You helped me see men's true nature. Don't worry—I won't be foolish again."

The Vivian before Ethan seemed like a different person entirely.

Her plain face now radiated a dazzling brilliance.

"You..." He hesitated. "Never mind."

Vivian scoffed. If Ethan wasn't speaking, she wasn't interested in hearing it anyway. Nothing good ever came from his mouth.