Chapter 308

Ethan's chiseled features turned to ice. "That damn woman actually ran away!"

Evelyn Whitmore leaned in with urgent information. "I overheard them saying they're headed to Edinburgh. They're on their way to the airport now. If you leave immediately, you might still intercept them—"

"Edinburgh?"

His fists clenched, knuckles white, eyes burning with fury. "She better hope I don't catch her, or I'll snap her legs myself!"

Without another word, he slammed the accelerator of his sleek sports car, tearing through Newport City toward the largest airport.

The moment he stormed into the terminal, his gaze locked onto Vivian and Julian Blackthorn, who had just arrived.

"You."

Ethan's voice dripped with venom as he took in Julian standing beside Vivian.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

Vivian stiffened, guilt flashing across her face as if she'd been caught in an affair. Instinctively, she stepped back.

Julian, however, remained unshaken. He extended a hand, lips curving into a calm smile. "Mr. Blackwood, it's been a while. Business trip?"

Ethan ignored the gesture, his contempt fixed on Vivian. "So this is the incredible man you were in such a hurry to meet? Just a hacker who slinks around in the shadows like a rat."

Vivian's temper flared. "Insult me all you want, but don't you dare disrespect hackers. They're not rats—they're brilliant minds who choose discretion. Think you're untouchable? Cross them, and they'll expose every skeleton in your closet."

Ethan had no idea Vivian was Scarlet Phoenix. Her passionate defense only fueled his rage, twisting into something darker. "Pathetic. Has he told you about the deal he made behind your back?"

To him, her naivety was staggering.

If she knew this so-called genius had taken his money to lock away evidence that could have cleared her nanny's name—would she still defend him?

Vivian smirked. "Whatever deal Julian made with you, the fact remains—you needed him. He profited from his skills. However you spin it, you lost. So why are you still acting superior?"

Ethan's jaw tightened. Her sharp words were a match to gasoline.

He turned to Julian, voice dangerously low. "Nothing to confess?"

Julian shrugged, hands in his pockets. "Ah, you mean when you paid me to reinforce the hospital's cloud security—to keep Miss Lockhart from proving her nanny's innocence."

Ethan hadn't expected such blunt honesty. "At least you admit it."

Julian's smile widened. "Of course. I told Miss Lockhart everything weeks ago. Even split the ten million with her as an apology. She accepted graciously—even treated me to dinner."

Vivian nodded, amusement dancing in her eyes. "Ten million, Ethan. Had I known you were so generous, I'd have become a hacker myself. Blackwood Group's systems are riddled with vulnerabilities. I could make a fortune just fixing your mistakes."

Ethan's face burned with fury.

So he was the fool? They'd played him—just like that auction where she'd conspired with Liam Osborne to swindle him out of millions for a damn ring.

Vivian Lockhart, you really do love making a fool out of me.