Chapter 959

"Don't worry about me. The company needs you more right now."

"With so many people taking care of me here, what could possibly happen? But if someone takes advantage of your absence at Roscente Group, don't blame me for distracting you from work."

Ethan Roscente chuckled, his fingers gently brushing through her hair.

"Relax. Roscente Group will only belong to our Theo—or perhaps our future son. Victor Roscente has been coveting it for years, yet he's never succeeded."

Vivian Laurent turned her face away, though the tips of her ears betrayed her with a faint blush.

"Stop teasing and get to the office."

Ethan knew she wasn't truly upset. Before leaving, he pressed a kiss to her forehead.

"Wait for me."

Isabella Langley immediately scooted closer, eyes gleaming with curiosity.

"Viv, what exactly do you see in him?"

Vivian gazed at the plane leaves drifting outside the window, her expression distant.

"Maybe... I owed him from a past life."

The moment Ethan left, Vivian's smile vanished.

"Isabella, help me investigate the organization's mission records from recent years. Focus on the incident four years ago—when I was nearly killed."

The orange in Isabella's hand nearly slipped from her grasp.

"You suspect the organization is compromised?"

"No. I suspect Zero." Vivian's nails dug unconsciously into her palm. "I trusted him completely before. But now... I have to re-examine everything."

"You think... he orchestrated that mission?"

Vivian's breathing grew uneven.

"Zero arranged that final mission, yet the execution was delayed by two weeks. At the time, I'd just been drugged by Natalie—my physical condition deteriorated, my weight skyrocketed..."

She paused, her voice trembling.

"If I hadn't gained so much weight that it altered my appearance... in my severely injured state..."

Isabella seized her icy hands.

"I understand. I'll look into it. But Zero is meticulous. Any evidence is probably long gone—"

"Which is why we must be careful." Vivian tightened her grip. "We can't alert him."

Isabella gave a solemn nod before turning away, sharp determination flashing in her eyes.

Alone in the lab, Vivian stared absently at the liquid in the test tube.

The poison sample left by Mia Lombardi lay quietly on the workstation. A slow-acting toxin, its symptoms wouldn't manifest for three months.

If not for her heightened sensitivity due to pregnancy...

Her fingers brushed over the slight curve of her abdomen, a tender smile touching her lips.

"Thank you, little one."

Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a golden halo around her.

"Mommy will protect you."

Two more months. She counted silently, her gaze hardening with resolve.