Chapter 454

Those two little troublemakers had nerves of steel!

"Isabella Lockhart, just you wait. I'm bringing your brother home. Seems like it's been too long since I last taught you both a proper lesson. How dare you pull such a reckless stunt!"

Vivian was fuming, her rationality slipping as she clenched her fists so tightly her knuckles cracked audibly through the phone.

Abigail blinked her large, innocent eyes, the picture of angelic sweetness. "Mommy, didn't you promise not to get angry? Liars get wrinkles, you know. If you really want to punish someone, hit Adrian instead. I'll even lend you a ruler."

"You kept secrets from me! Of course you deserve a spanking!"

Vivian's patience had snapped. She was itching to march over and give Abigail the scolding of her life for this little act of defiance.

Her children were too clever for their own good—a dangerous combination.

Adrian had an IQ that could rival Einstein's, while Abigail's emotional intelligence made her a master manipulator. Together, they were an unstoppable duo, always scheming and framing her whenever they got the chance.

And Abigail? She worshipped the ground Adrian walked on. If he ever decided to commit murder, she'd be the one handing him the weapon without question.

"Abigail Lockhart, I am livid. Kneel. Now."

Vivian's voice was ice-cold as she issued the command through the video call.

The warm mother-daughter moment from earlier was long gone.

Thud. Abigail knew she'd messed up. She dropped to her knees instantly, her voice trembling with remorse. "Mommy, I'm sorry! Please don't be mad. I won't lie to you again..."

Her pitiful, teary-eyed expression could melt even the coldest heart.

Nathaniel, watching from the side, couldn't stand it. "Boss, she’s learned her lesson. Let her get up. Right now, we need to find Adrian before he gets into real trouble."

Vivian took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm. "Fine. Since you're sorry, I’ll give you one chance. Tell me—when was the last time you spoke to Adrian? Where is he now?"

Abigail sniffled, thinking hard before answering obediently. "Last night. He said he was going to Bad Daddy’s company to get that important document for you. He even said he’d teach those bullies a lesson! He’s so smart, he probably already made it. But... I tried calling him just now, and he didn’t pick up..."

"Blackwood Group?"

At first, Vivian wasn’t too worried. Her son was a prodigy—a three-year-old who once sailed a speedboat alone to Coral Haven. Now four, traveling to Newport City by himself wasn’t exactly shocking.

But why would he go straight to Nathaniel instead of her?

That... was a problem.

"Evelyn, keep an eye on Abigail. I need to go catch that little runaway!"

A bad feeling settled in Vivian’s gut as she ended the call, already heading for the door. She had to get to Blackwood Group—fast.

"Your leg isn’t fully healed yet. I’m coming with you."

Nathaniel didn’t hesitate, following close behind.

With Nathaniel temporarily out of commission, if Vivian showed up at Blackwood Group now, the truth about his condition would be exposed.

He couldn’t let her face that alone.

Meanwhile, Sophia and William stood frozen, stunned by what they’d just witnessed.

William’s jaw practically hit the floor. "Did I hear that right? Vivian’s kid crossed an ocean by himself to get here? And now he’s at Blackwood Group?!"

He turned to Sophia, desperate for confirmation.