Chapter 977

Felix pushed his glass aside and stood up from the noisy private dining room. The hallway lights were too bright. He pulled out his cigarette case and headed toward the club entrance.

His phone screen lit up then dimmed again. By the time he stepped outside, Isabella's missed call had already ended.

He called back. Hesitant breathing came through the line.

"Hello?" Isabella's voice held suspicion. "Why are you calling so late?"

"You called me first." Felix's words slurred around the cigarette between his lips. "I was going to ask what you wanted."

Background music leaked through the receiver. Isabella pounced immediately. "Partying at a nightclub again?"

"Business meeting." Felix emphasized. "Legitimate work."

"Please." She snorted. "Let me guess - red dress on your left, black stockings on your right, and now you're hiding in the restroom to take this call?"

Felix whirled around. The streetlights illuminated empty pavement.

"Are you spying on me?" He lowered his voice.

"I'm overseas!" Isabella hissed. "With Vivian, remember?"

The reminder clicked. "Right, you went to see Patrick. So what's the emergency? Helping Dr. Laurent is fine, but you're on your own."

"Felix!" Her shout made his ear ring. "You're asking for death!"

"With that attitude, I'll bring popcorn to watch when you crash and burn." Felix leaned against the wall, his cigarette tip glowing in the dark.

Their bickering continued, yet somehow stretched to thirty minutes. Topics jumped from weather to food before circling back.

"How's it going over there?" Felix asked suddenly.

"Concerned about Vivian or me?" Isabella countered sharply.

Felix hesitated. He flicked ash. "Can't I ask casually?"

"It's... fine." She paused. "Some complications."

"What complications?" He straightened. "You okay?"

"Of course I am." She scoffed. "Mostly Vivian's situation... Wait, why should I tell you?"

Felix chuckled. "What secrets could you possibly have? Though if you come back injured, I'll never let you live it down."

"Dream on." The line went dead.

Night wind carried away the smoke. Felix stared at the darkened screen, his lips curving upward against his will.