Chapter 162

Warren chuckled bitterly. "Dad, she's been with us all these years. Don't you know her temperament by now?" Once Vivienne made up her mind, nothing could change it, including her grudges. Back then, Warren had offered her everything—except love and a title. Vivienne refused to accept that, so the idea of reconciliation was wishful thinking.

Melissa's voice interrupted from the other end of the call. "But we treated her well all these years, didn't we? Love is always mutual. She insisted on marrying you—we never forced her. Just remind her that for three years, she ate our food, used our resources. We won't ask for a single Lillian back, but she should at least use her connections to help Mitchell Group."

Warren let out a low, icy laugh. "You can tell her that yourself." He ended the call.

His desk phone rang incessantly—call after call from the Mitchell family. Now that Vivienne's hidden identity was known, they all wanted him to win her back.

As the commotion subsided, Vivienne noticed Derek's empty seat. Sinclair caught her glance and smirked. "Not leaving yet? Or do you find yourself liking this place?"

Vivienne masked her disappointment, taking a deep breath before calmly replying, "I'm coming now."

Sinclair strode ahead, while Owen, hand casually in his pocket, walked beside Vivienne. "Didn't we agree you'd wait for me before acting? What made you go ahead on your own?" The thought sent a chill through him.

Vivienne smiled playfully. "Couldn't resist."

Owen sighed. What a flimsy excuse. But he knew better; she had acted alone because she worried about Steve's safety. That was Vivienne—any kindness shown to her, she repaid tenfold.

"Same old rule. Don't tell Grandpa about this," Vivienne reminded him.

Owen gave her a knowing look. "I think he already knows."

Her heart skipped a beat. Sensing something, she turned toward the parking lot. Benjamin's car was parked there. Her brows furrowed.

"You let it slip in front of Grandpa?"

"Unless I've completely lost my mind, I wouldn't dig my own grave," Owen retorted. He instinctively reached for a cigarette, but as Benjamin lowered his window, he felt a sharp rebuke. He quickly pocketed the cigarette. "You made such a spectacle—there's no way he wouldn't find out." Besides, Benjamin doted on Vivienne; even the slightest disturbance made him anxious.

Vivienne glanced at Derek's car, then blinked and smiled sweetly at Owen. "Owen—"

"Don't even start!" Owen cut her off, stepping back. "I already know what you're about to ask." That smile meant one thing: she needed his help. Classic Vivienne.

She sighed inwardly before approaching Benjamin's car. Owen watched her go, realizing he'd forgotten to ask where she'd stayed the previous night.