Chapter 121

Derek gently brushed loose strands of hair from Vivienne's face, his thumb tracing her cheek with deliberate softness. His fingers lingered, lightly brushing her lips, his dark eyes burning with yearning and unspoken desire.

Vivienne rolled her eyes, exasperation flashing across her face. "Derek, is kissing all you ever think about?" His single-mindedness was maddening.

"Right now, it's the only thing on my mind," Derek admitted, his voice low as he cupped her face. He leaned forward, placing a tender kiss on her forehead, his touch conveying a sincerity that seemed to permeate the air. He seemed to be communicating his affection without words.

Then, with unexpected boldness, he said, "Vivienne, marry me."

"You're unbelievable!" Vivienne retorted, pulling away sharply. She strode toward her desk, incredulity and frustration etched on her face. "We've known each other less than a month, Derek! How ridiculous!"

"I'm not being ridiculous," Derek said firmly, his gaze unwavering. From the moment he met her, he'd been captivated—not just by her beauty, but by everything about her. What began as infatuation had deepened into something he couldn't resist. Marriage, once a distant concept, now consumed him. He pictured her beside him, hand in hand, greeting their wedding guests; a lifetime shared, and nothing else mattered.

Vivienne leaned against her desk, arms crossed defensively. "Derek, even agreeing to date you was reckless. I won't rush into marriage while still sorting out my life." The discovery by her grandfather or uncles would plunge the Sinclair family into chaos. Her gaze softened slightly, but her words remained firm. "You know I just ended a three-year relationship, fragile even then. What makes you think a month with you is different?"

Derek scoffed, his tone sharp with arrogance. "Do you honestly think some scumbag could ever compare to me?"

Vivienne paused, tilting her head, then a dazzling smile spread across her lips. "You're right. He can't."

"Then why won't you marry me?" Derek pressed, frustration lacing his voice, his eyes boring into hers.

Vivienne opened her mouth to reply, but the sharp ring of her phone interrupted. She glanced at the screen, sighing apologetically at Derek. "Sorry, I need to take this."

Sienna's animated voice filled her ear. "Vivienne, if you were a man, I'd marry you on the spot!"

"Spill it. What juicy story have you uncovered?" Vivienne asked, leaning back, amusement curving her lips. Sienna's flair for exaggeration always heralded something exciting.

Sienna launched into a detailed account of the Mitchells' humiliation of Vivienne, culminating in Diana's public apology. "The Mitchell family! Self-righteous snobs who thought you had no backing! And Diana? She demanded you kneel! Disgusting! Beyond belief!" Sienna seethed.

Vivienne, heiress to the Sinclair family, had endured enough. Not even Benjamin had forced her to kneel, yet the Mitchells had dared. Their arrogance was laughable.

Vivienne exhaled quietly, her tone measured. "Did it hit trending topics?"

Sienna’s excitement bubbled over. "Of course! With the Mitchells' current status, reporters snuck in. Natalie and Warren's engagement was supposed to be the highlight, but it's all about the Mitchell's humiliation! People are digging into your life story! There's even a fan club demanding you debut as an icon!"

Vivienne smirked, shaking her head. "Let them waste their time. I'm not interested in the spotlight."

"Seriously, should you bring the whole Mitchell family to their knees? They deserve it," Sienna pressed, her voice serious.