Chapter 106

Liam Sullivan watched Vivian Bennett flee in panic.

Her avoidance of him, as if he were a venomous snake, made his brow furrow deeply.

Isabella Sullivan cast a cold glance at Vivian's retreating figure.

A trace of icy hatred flashed in her eyes.

After settling Grandma Margaret back at the sanitarium, Vivian drove straight to her best friend Sophia Miller's villa.

She stopped at a pharmacy along the way to pick up some common medications.

Sophia was often away on missions, and getting injured was routine for her.

Vivian had long grown accustomed to tending her wounds.

She pushed open the villa door, medical bag in hand.

The first floor was empty.

Vivian hurried upstairs to the second floor.

The bedroom door was slightly ajar, with blood-stained clothes and bandages scattered on the floor.

"Sophia!"

Vivian rushed anxiously to the bedside.

Sophia slowly opened her eyes and reached for the cigarette pack on the nightstand.

"It's fine. I won't die."

She lit a cigarette and took a deep drag.

"Smoking while injured?" Vivian frowned in disapproval.

Sophia blew out a smoke ring. "For the pain."

Vivian opened the medical kit and carefully examined her injuries.

Fresh wounds covered her body, some still oozing blood.

"Quit this line of work." Vivian's voice trembled.

Every time she saw her best friend covered in scars, her heart ached unbearably.

Sophia stubbed out her cigarette and shook her head with a bitter smile. "It's not that simple."

Vivian gently began redressing her wounds.

"But..."

Sophia suddenly sucked in a sharp breath.

Vivian deliberately applied more pressure. "You know it hurts, yet you keep going?"

Sophia stared blankly at the ceiling. "Some paths, once taken, can't be turned back from."

Vivian silently tied the final bandage.

Just then, Sophia abruptly sat up.

"Wait. Something's up with you?"

Vivian looked up, confused. "What?"

Sophia narrowed her eyes, studying her closely.

"You smell like a man."