Chapter 165

Caleb and Landon reached the same startling conclusion: this man had completely lost touch with reality, all for a woman.

“Crazy. You are absolutely crazy!” Caleb muttered, hastily reaching for his wine glass to steady his nerves.

Landon, maintaining his usual composure, replied thoughtfully, “A direct approach to bringing her to the Hopkins family home would not only fail to gain their acceptance but might also create unnecessary complications for her. I strongly suggest you reconsider your strategy.”

“Taking her back home directly was never my intention,” Derek countered, his gaze lifting, dark eyes like bottomless winter pools. His voice held an air of casual certainty. “I intend to provide her with everything she deserves—a grand wedding ceremony worthy of remembrance. She will enter my home with full honor and rightful recognition.”

The statement rendered even the unflappable Landon speechless. Derek, known for his unwavering self-control, had apparently surrendered his heart completely. Such news would undoubtedly cause a stir.

Yet Derek had always been independent. Once his mind was set, he was immovable.

“We shall see if she proves worthy of such grand gestures,” Landon remarked, a knowing smile playing on his lips.

While the Sinclair family’s protection shielded Vivienne in Lyhaton, questions lingered about her safety elsewhere. Even with their best intentions, their influence might not extend far enough to protect her.

Derek’s fingers traced lazy circles around his glass rim, his movements deliberately unhurried. “The name Derek Hopkins will be all the confidence she needs.” His words resonated with unmistakable authority and pride.

The sudden vibration of his phone drew their attention. Both Landon and Caleb’s eyes flickered to the screen, where the contact name “Honey” was prominently displayed. An involuntary shiver ran through them—such a nickname seemed jarringly out of place.

Their eyes met, sharing a silent moment of amusement. Clearly, Derek’s intentions ran deeper than they’d imagined.

As they raised their glasses, anticipating Derek’s response to the call, his flat voice cut through the air. “Time for you to leave.”

Caleb tightened his grip on his glass, suppressing an urge to overturn the table. Landon rose smoothly, collecting his coat and squeezing Caleb’s shoulder. “Come along. I’ll accompany you to the dock.”

Caleb pressed his tongue against his cheek in frustration, set his glass down forcefully, and stormed out. As they departed, Derek’s gentle tone followed them. “Why aren’t you asleep yet?”

Caleb silently cursed, convinced that love had clouded Derek’s judgment beyond repair.

After Vivienne’s conversation with Derek extended beyond ten minutes, a knock interrupted them.

“We’ll continue this later. Goodnight.”

She sprang from her bed and opened the door to find Cameron gazing down at her.

“Still awake?”

“Ready for bed,” Vivienne replied, absently playing with a strand of hair as she stepped aside. “What brings you here, Uncle Cameron?”

Cameron’s expression was intense, searching her face. Despite Benjamin’s repeated warnings against prying into her relationship with Derek, the questions burned in his eyes.

After a pause, Cameron drew a steadying breath. “Benjamin asked me to ensure you remember tomorrow’s Vaughn family wedding. Your presence is expected.”

“I haven’t forgotten.”

When Cameron lingered, Vivienne raised an inquiring eyebrow. “Was there something else?”

Though his lips parted as if to speak, Cameron ultimately shook his head and left without a word.