Chapter 343

Ethan Blackwood's rage burned white-hot, his fingers twitching with the urge to wrap around Elijah Young's throat. His eyes narrowed to slits as he spat, "How the hell does someone just vanish? That's impossible!"

Elijah sighed, rubbing his temples. "We've turned this city inside out. No trace of Miss Lockhart. And her nanny, Evelyn Whitmore—gone too."

Ethan didn't wait. Within hours, his private jet touched down in Newport City.

He refused to believe Vivian Lockhart could disappear without a trace. She's still here. Hiding. His jaw clenched. He'd tear this city apart if he had to.

Every resource at his disposal was mobilized. His men scoured every district. Nathan Prescott and Dominic Harrington were summoned, their networks activated.

Nathan, freshly discharged from the hospital, met Dominic at Blackwood Villa.

Ethan stormed in, his voice razor-sharp. "Anything?"

The two exchanged glances before shaking their heads.

Nathan frowned. "Ethan, what the hell happened? Why'd she leave again?" Guilt gnawed at him—Vivian had saved his life, and now she was gone before he could even thank her.

Ethan's patience snapped. "Not now. Just find her."

Dominic stepped forward, calm but firm. "We need context. If we don't know why she ran, we're just spinning our wheels."

Nathan crossed his arms. "He's right. You're acting like a man possessed. If you screwed up, apologize. What's the point of this wild goose chase?"

Ethan's grip on the chair tightened. His voice dropped to a lethal whisper. "Because I nearly killed her. I told her never to show her face again."

Silence.

Nathan recoiled. "What?"

Dominic's expression darkened. "Ethan. That's domestic violence. No wonder she ran—you could've murdered her."

Nathan's fist clenched, fury boiling over. Vivian was fierce, brilliant, alive—and Ethan had choked her? He lunged—

Ethan's next words froze him mid-swing.

"Because she pushed Cassandra Delacroix down the stairs. She killed my brother's child."

Nathan staggered back. "Cassandra? Your brother's—what the actual fuck is going on?"