Chapter 326

The elevator doors slid open, and Vivian Ashcroft burst out like a whirlwind.

She grabbed Sophia Lowell's wrist, scanning her up and down. "Are you okay? You scared me to death!"

Sophia stumbled back half a step from the sudden movement. "I'm fine..."

"Thank God!" Vivian's eyes were red-rimmed, her voice trembling. "When I got your message, I almost dropped my phone."

Ethan Roscente stood nearby, his face dark as storm clouds.

Vivian finally noticed his presence and immediately shielded Sophia behind her. "What are you doing here?"

"That's my question." Ethan's voice was icy.

"I'm Sophia's best friend!" Vivian squared her shoulders. "Unlike you, who has no business being here."

Ethan narrowed his eyes. "I'm her husband."

"Ex-husband!" Vivian corrected sharply. "The divorce papers are signed. Stop pretending!"

Sandwiched between them, Sophia felt a throbbing pain in her temples.

"Vivian..." She gently tugged her friend's sleeve.

Vivian turned to glare at her. "Don't defend him! None of this would've happened if not for him!"

Ethan stepped forward abruptly. "Danger? What danger?"

Vivian bit her lip, realizing her slip.

Sophia sighed. "It's over now."

"Not for me!" Vivian whirled around. "Do you know how terrified I was reading those messages?"

She pulled out her phone with shaking hands and played a voice memo.

Sophia's tearful voice crackled through the speaker: "Viv...I'm so scared...someone's following me..."

Ethan's face turned ashen.

"When was this?" He seized Sophia's shoulders.

Vivian slapped his hand away. "Now you care? Where were you when she needed you?"

The elevator dinged open again.

Jason Roscente emerged laden with shopping bags, freezing at the tense scene.

"Uh...bad timing?"

Vivian immediately redirected her fury. "Traitor! Did you tip him off?"

Jason raised his hands in surrender. "I didn't even bring my phone!"

"Then how did he find her?" Vivian jabbed a finger at Ethan.

Ethan smirked. "You think you're the only one who can track her down?"

"Enough!" Sophia raised her voice sharply.

Silence fell.

She rubbed her forehead. "Let's take this inside."

Vivian instantly linked arms with her. "Yes, let's go. Ignore these useless men."

Ethan's gaze turned dangerous as he watched their intertwined arms.

Just as Vivian triumphantly moved to shut the door, a polished leather shoe blocked the threshold.

"I'm coming in." Ethan's tone brooked no argument.