Chapter 19

The message had barely been sent when Derek's reply arrived almost instantly: “See you in twenty minutes.”

Vivienne stared at the screen, momentarily taken aback. Had he been waiting for her message all along? The thought lingered, unsettling yet oddly difficult to dismiss.

Sienna, ever perceptive, noticed the flicker of distraction on Vivienne's face and probed, “What's your plan for dealing with the Mitchell family?”

“I’m quitting,” Vivienne replied firmly, her resolve unshakable. The Mitchell family no longer held anything worth her loyalty or attachment. If she was going to sever ties, she’d do it cleanly—no hesitation, no lingering traces. That was her way.

Sienna exhaled quietly, relief softening her expression. She had been silently bracing herself for the possibility that Vivienne might waver at the last moment. Over the years, as an outsider, Sienna had witnessed Vivienne's relentless dedication to supporting Warren, often at the expense of her own well-being. The Mitchell family's current success, a gleaming empire, stood as a testament to Vivienne's tireless efforts behind the scenes.

But now, with Vivienne's departure, Sienna couldn't help but wonder how long the once-thriving Mitchell family could sustain itself before cracks began to show. As if on cue, Sienna's phone buzzed; the caller ID flashed a name that made her lips curl in faint disdain. A spark of sarcasm flickered in her eyes: Warren Mitchell.

It seemed she had underestimated his persistence. Without hesitation, she declined the call, the action swift and decisive.

On the other end of the line, Warren's jaw tightened as the call abruptly disconnected. His expression darkened, the tension radiating from him like a gathering storm. The Sienna family's sudden withdrawal of their investment had already shaken the company to its core. The board of directors, ever eager to assign blame, had begun speculating that Warren had somehow offended the influential family, and the mounting pressure was becoming unbearable.

But as Warren replayed recent events, he couldn’t recall any interaction with the Sienna family, let alone one that could justify such a drastic move.

Half-reclining on the hospital bed, Natalie watched Warren with quiet apprehension. His cold demeanor sent shivers down her spine, but she finally mustered the courage to ask, “Warren, is something wrong?”

“No,” he replied curtly, his tone sharp enough to end the conversation before it began.

Natalie's face fell, and tears welled up, spilling down her cheeks in silent, steady streams, like a string of pearls snapping and scattering.

Warren's frustration wavered as he saw her tears. A pang of guilt stabbed at him, and he moved closer, gently brushing her cheeks with his fingertips. “Why are you crying?” he asked, his voice softening.

“It’s because I’m useless,” Natalie murmured, her voice trembling. She burrowed into his arms, her fragile frame trembling as her hand rested lightly against his chest. “I can only watch as you face these problems alone, and I can’t do anything to help. Sometimes… I really envy Vivienne. She’s so smart, so capable. If she were by your side right now, she’d know exactly what to do.”

The mention of Vivienne's name struck a nerve. A wave of irritation surged through Warren, sharp and unbidden. It was as though the world refused to let him forget that without Vivienne, he was struggling to keep the pieces together. His pride bristled at the unspoken implication—he couldn’t stand the idea of living in her shadow.

And yet, it was Vivienne who had secured the Sienna family's investment. That fact loomed over him, undeniable and infuriating. Shortly after she’d left his life, the Sienna family had withdrawn their support. It was impossible to ignore the connection.

A cold gleam flashed in his eyes as suspicion took root. Could this be Vivienne’s revenge?

“I need to talk to Vivienne,” Warren announced abruptly, his voice laced with determination.

“I’ll go with you,” Natalie interjected, clutching his hand before he could protest. Seeing his hesitation, she quickly added, “Vivienne doesn’t have any family here. It’s only right that we check on her.”

Warren hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded. “Fine. But don’t take anything she says to heart. I’ll protect you—I won’t let her hurt you again.” His words painted Vivienne as the villain before the confrontation had even begun.

“Okay,” Natalie replied sweetly, standing on tiptoe to press a light kiss to the corner of his lips.