Chapter 457

Vivian Lockhart had always been fiercely independent. She shot a defiant glance at Julian Montgomery before stating firmly, "My apologies. I answer only to Mr. Blackwood."

Her tone dripped with disdain. "Why should I take orders from someone like you?"

Olivia wasn't alone in her contempt. Every employee at Blackwood Group viewed Julian as a nuisance—the man who'd torn apart Vivian and Nathaniel's marriage. They'd do anything to see him gone.

Vivian inhaled deeply, steadying herself. "Please summon the security guard," she instructed Olivia calmly.

"Right away, Mrs. Blackwood." Olivia complied instantly.

In Blackwood Group, Vivian's authority often surpassed even Nathaniel's. Her commands were followed without hesitation—a testament to her natural leadership.

The security guard arrived in the lobby moments later.

The moment he spotted Vivian, he dropped to his knees. "Mrs. Blackwood, I swear I know nothing! I just brought the boy to the lounge out of kindness. I have no idea where he went or who took him. Whatever happened, it wasn't my fault!"

"Relax," Vivian said evenly. "I'm not here to blame you. I just need to understand what happened so we can find him."

The guard trembled, avoiding her gaze. "Y-yesterday, I saw a boy alone outside the building. When I asked about his parents, he said his father worked here. I took him to the lounge to wait... but when I turned around, he was gone. That's the truth, I swear!"

Panic laced his voice. He knew this child must be important, and he feared being implicated.

"So the last place you saw him was the Blackwood Group lounge?" Vivian confirmed.

"Yes! I went to get snacks, and when I returned, he'd vanished. I assumed his father had collected him."

"Understood. You may return to your post."

Convinced he was truthful, Vivian didn't press further. She turned to Olivia. "I need to review the surveillance footage."

Olivia hesitated. "The public areas, yes. But the restricted zones require Mr. Blackwood's authorization—and he's currently unreachable."

"Then start with what we can access."

The restricted areas posed no real barrier—Blackwood Group's security systems were child's play for someone of Vivian's skills.

They proceeded to the third-floor tech department. The footage confirmed Adrian's arrival, though the clever boy had dodged most cameras—until one critical slip.

A single frame caught him entering Nathaniel's private elevator to the executive floor.

"Mrs. Blackwood," Olivia said apologetically, "we can't access the presidential suite footage without—"

"That won't be necessary."

A deep voice interrupted from behind them. A tall, imposing figure stepped into view.