Chapter 973

Vivian Laurent rolled the tiny earpiece between her fingers before slipping it into her ear.

Patrick Alpinus's voice came through immediately. "This was a misunderstanding. I didn't expect the person who booked the room to do this. I've already warned him."

A faint smile touched Vivian's lips. "Officer Patrick, planning a next time?"

"Absolutely not."

"Then I'll flush this earpiece down the toilet?"

Silence stretched on the other end before Patrick's restrained reply came. "Fine."

Vivian tossed the device into the toilet without hesitation and pressed the flush.

Isabella Langley clapped her hands in admiration. "Viv, you're incredible! I never would've thought of that."

"He was too eager. Suspiciously so." Vivian scanned the room. "Aside from the earpiece, it's clean. Patrick wouldn't go as far as installing cameras in a woman's room."

Isabella shuddered. "We almost walked right into that. If we hadn't noticed and said something compromising..." She lowered her voice. "Viv, he knows you're Shadow. Shouldn't we do something?"

"Unnecessary." Vivian shook her head. "I'm not his target."

"Then who is?"

"Possibly Zero. Or the organization. Or the Dark Web." Vivian's expression remained calm. "All my missions are clean. He has nothing on me."

Isabella exhaled in relief. "Good. But..." Her tone shifted. "What about what Annika said? Do you believe her?"

Vivian's eyes darkened.

"I think it's true." Her voice turned icy. "Zero wants me dead. And he's been planning it for a while."

Isabella slammed her palm on the table. "Ungrateful bastard! If you hadn't risked your life to save him years ago, he'd be rotting in a Dark Web grave!" Her hands trembled with rage. "And this is how he repays you? All his declarations of love—this is what they amount to?"

"He doesn't understand love." Vivian's voice was flat. "Compared to him, at least Ethan Roscente would never hurt me."

Isabella gritted her teeth. "So what now? Confront him, or..." She drew a finger across her throat.

"We're not assassins." Vivian gave a bitter smile. "Even if killing were an option, who could actually take him down?"

"Not even you?"

"Maybe in the past." Vivian rested a hand on her abdomen. "But pregnant? No chance. He didn't earn the top spot on the Agent Leaderboard for nothing."