Chapter 291

Chapter 291

Everyone's eyes instantly fell on Colt.

"Speak clearly." Kieran's cane hit the floor heavily.

"Yes!" Colt immediately straightened his back and reported rapidly, "We tracked all the maritime routes Alfonso used when he fled, and through a local, we pinpointed the cargo ship that picked him up."

"The cargo ship's final destination is a principality called 'Monaco' in Lumaria."

Monaco.

Simon, Steve, and Sophie all frowned at the same time when they heard this name.

Monaco's situation was special—it was one of Seraphim's last monarchies, with extremely high autonomy. International police cooperation orders had limited effectiveness there.

Colt continued, "It's a tax haven for the world's wealthy and a top-tier playground for the rich. Various forces are deeply entrenched there. For outsiders to find someone there is nearly impossible."

"Difficult or not, we have to find him!" Simon sneered coldly. "Even if he hides in hell, I'll dig him out!"

A glint flashed in Kieran's cloudy eyes.

He spoke slowly, his voice steady: "Conventional methods won't work. The fact that Alfonso arranged his escape route in such a short time means he's had plans in Monaco for a while, maybe even has local forces helping him. If our people rush over there, we'll just tip him off."

For a moment, the atmosphere fell into deadlock again.

They could move mountains and seas domestically, but in a foreign country with completely different rules, things were difficult.

"Maybe there's a way."

Steve, who had been silent, suddenly spoke.

His gaze turned to Sophie.

"Steve?" Sophie looked puzzled.

Steve nodded slightly at her. "I remember, there was big news in the global design world recently."

"Monaco's crown princess is about to be officially crowned as the new queen, and the royal family is publicly selecting a chief designer for the coronation jewels from around the world. This honor is called 'the highest hall of designers.' All the world's top jewelry designers will flock there."

"The selection officially begins next month. We have plenty of time to prepare."

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone present understood.

Sophie's heart suddenly seized.

Designer, Phoenix. Her identity had now become the only way to break through!

"Going to participate in the selection as 'Phoenix' is the best cover." Seeing Sophie give him an affirmative look, Steve continued, "If we can win this project, we can not only establish a foothold in Monaco, but also use the royal family's power to flush out that local snake Alfonso!"

This was indeed the only viable plan at the moment.

Just then, Colt's phone vibrated. He glanced at the message on the screen, then reported as usual.

"Just received word about Monaco's royal jewelry design selection—there's a designer from our country on the updated registration list on the official website, and her popularity is rising fast."

Simon frowned. "Who?"

"Called something..." Colt scrolled through his phone screen, found the name, "Oh, Vivienne."

Vivienne?

This name was completely unfamiliar to everyone else present, causing no reaction.

Only Sophie's pupils suddenly contracted the instant she heard the name.

A sweet but jealous face flashed through her mind, along with those eyes that had looked around her studio, making no effort to hide their ambition.

That runner-up from "The Horizon Muse Creative Contest," that young girl who tried to extract her core concepts with crude design drafts...

Had she actually gone to Monaco, too?

Just as everyone was about to discuss the details further, light footsteps came from the hospital room door, accompanied by deliberately lowered children's voices.

"Zola, is Daddy really here?"

"Let's be quiet and not disturb your Daddy's rest."

The next second, the hospital room door was gently pushed open a crack, and Thomas and Timothy's heads poked in.

When they saw Benjamin in the hospital bed covered with tubes, both Thomas and Timothy froze, their big eyes instantly filling with tears.

The tense, somber atmosphere in the hospital room was completely shattered by Thomas and Timothy's appearance.

The moment Benjamin's gaze fell on Thomas and Timothy, a burning light ignited in his dim eyes. The guilt, weakness, and pain in his eyes were all covered by a more intense longing.

He struggled, trying to sit up a bit.

"Daddy!"

Timothy broke free from Zola's hand and rushed over on his short little legs. Thomas followed closely behind.

Thomas and Timothy ran to Benjamin's bedside but didn't dare touch him, just looked up at him with their tear-stained little faces timidly.

"Daddy... does it hurt a lot?" Thomas's voice was choked with tears.

He reached out his little hand, wanting to touch Benjamin's hand, but afraid of hurting him; his hand stopped in mid-air.

Timothy pouted, pointing at the heart monitor patches on his body: "Why does Daddy have so many little tails on him?"

Benjamin's heart tightened painfully.

He struggled to pull the corners of his mouth into a smile that looked worse than crying, his voice hoarse beyond recognition: "Daddy doesn't hurt... these are... energy stickers. Once they're on, Daddy will soon turn into Ultraman and protect Thomas and Timothy."

This clumsy comfort made Thomas and Timothy break into smiles through their tears.

Sophie stood in place.

Watching this scene, her rationality screamed at her that all this was what Benjamin owed her, the punishment he deserved!

But seeing the pure adoration in Thomas and Timothy's eyes, seeing Benjamin's genuine love and guilt, she discovered...

She could barely build walls of hatred anymore.

Kieran quietly stepped aside, leaving space for them. Simon looked deeply at Sophie, then turned and walked out of the hospital room.

Steve patted Sophie's shoulder and followed him out.

In the hospital room, only their family of four remained.

"Daddy, when will you get better?" Timothy lay on the edge of the bed, asking softly, "You said you'd take us to the amusement park."

"I'm sorry..." Benjamin's eyes reddened. He looked at Sophie, his eyes pleading, "Daddy broke his promise... When Daddy gets better, I'll definitely... definitely take you there."

Sophie didn't respond, just silently walked to the bedside, and straightened Thomas's slightly messy collar.

"Mommy..." Thomas tugged at her sleeve, saying softly, "Daddy seems thirsty."

Sophie's movements froze.

Benjamin's lips were indeed dry and cracked. He looked at her weakly, not speaking, but the expectation in his eyes couldn't be hidden.

Under Thomas's clear gaze, Sophie ultimately couldn't bring herself to refuse.

She silently picked up the water cup on the table, poured warm water, and carefully brought the straw to Benjamin's lips.

Her fingertips unavoidably touched his cheek. That burning temperature made her heart tremble, and she instantly withdrew her hand.

Benjamin greedily felt that fleeting touch, drank a few sips of water through the straw, and his parched throat was moistened.

"Thank you." He looked at her, saying softly.

Sophie avoided his gaze, her voice flat: "Thomas asked me to do it."

The atmosphere in the hospital room became somewhat delicate at this moment.