Chapter 95
Vivian Laurent witnessed the bank's predatory practices against ordinary citizens. Without hesitation, she reported them with a phone call.
The aftermath wasn't her concern.
At dawn the next day, Vivian boarded a flight back home.
Zero had kept watch in the capital for three straight days. The woman resembling Shadow never reappeared.
His investigation revealed she was Ethan Roscente's ex-wife. They had married secretly three years ago before divorcing.
The timeline didn't match Shadow's profile.
When the organization issued an urgent recall order, Zero had no choice but to abandon his pursuit.
At airport security, he brushed past a masked woman.
That familiar silhouette made him pause.
But the boarding announcement sounded, forcing him to hurry away.
If Shadow still lived, she would reach out to him first.
"What's wrong?" Isabella Langley nudged Vivian, who seemed distracted.
Vivian withdrew her gaze. "I felt someone watching me."
"With that ridiculous outfit? No one could recognize you." Isabella teased as their car arrived. "Let's go."
The moment they got home, Emily Garnache's message popped up—an invitation to a trendy new restaurant.
Vivian raised an eyebrow at the location. She knew the place intimately—it was one of her own establishments.
"Vivian! They say this place has a month-long waiting list!" Emily tugged her toward the entrance excitedly.
A hostess stopped them at the door. "Apologies. We're fully booked tonight."
Emily's face fell. "Should we go somewhere else?"
"Sure." Vivian shrugged.
Inside the dining room, Natalie Valois was fawning over Oliver Roland.
"I waited two weeks for this reservation," she cooed. "You've been ignoring me lately..."
Oliver stirred his soup absently.
Suddenly, he shot up, eyes locked on the entrance.
"Vivian!"
She turned to meet his delighted gaze.
Across from him, Natalie's expression darkened instantly.
"Who's that?" Emily studied Oliver curiously.
"Join us!" Oliver gestured eagerly. "We've got two extra seats."
Natalie's nails dug into her palms.