Chapter 206: Vivienne’s Gentler Side
Derek stepped forward and offered his hand. “Miss Hayes, would you care to dine with me?”
“Sure,” Vivienne responded, playfully hesitating as she slipped her hand into his. Their fingers intertwined tightly. A smile of mutual understanding crossed their faces.
As they left the private room, Vivienne spotted several men in black discreetly trailing them. Her eyebrows lifted slightly in recognition. It was clear now that the men from earlier were under Derek’s command.
A surge of warmth filled her, and her lips curved into a soft smile. Having been independent and strong all her life, Vivienne was no stranger to handling challenges alone, like the ones earlier today. But Derek was there, silently supporting her. Whether she stood strong or stumbled, Derek was always there for her. His earlier vow echoed in her thoughts: “Do it your way. No matter what happens, I’ll always have your back.”
Now, she understood that his commitment was not just in words, but in deeds. With this in mind, Vivienne tightened her hold on his hand, gazing intently at Derek. Derek felt her resolve in the firmness of her grip and turned to meet her gaze. Their eyes met, and for a moment, everything else faded. There was a deep, gentle warmth in his eyes, drawing her in, making her feel closer to him. Vivienne maintained eye contact only briefly before she shyly looked away.
The Mitchell family’s celebration ended with unexpected bitterness. As the Mitchell family members filed out of the hall, their faces etched with defeat, they happened to see Vivienne and Derek stepping out from a nearby room.
Seeing the couple, the expressions of the Mitchell family changed dramatically. Natalie subtly tugged at Warren’s sleeve, pretending to be confused. “Warren, isn’t that Miss Hayes over there?”
Warren followed her pointing finger, and his eyes settled on Vivienne. The man beside her wore a perfectly fitted suit, standing tall and dignified, exuding a natural elegance. Even from afar, his strong presence was undeniable. Vivienne, even in her high heels, was noticeably shorter than her companion. Yet, together, they complemented each other well, each enhancing the other’s stature.
That man again! Warren pondered if the unexpected arrival of the men in black at the event was also orchestrated by this mysterious figure. His expression turned cold as he scrutinized them, his brows knitting together.
Hand in hand, Vivienne and Derek moved effortlessly through the corridor. A gentle smile lit her face, glowing like a sun-kissed rose, captivating and radiant. Warren had never seen this side of Vivienne before. He remembered her as distant and decisive, but now she stood beside another man with a softness that felt both unfamiliar and intriguing. Discovering this gentler side of her surprised Warren.
As the Mitchell family speculated about Vivienne’s relationship with the man, Diana’s scornful remark shattered the silence. “A slut is still a slut. She breaks my brother’s heart only to throw herself into the arms of another.” Despite Diana’s attempt to keep her voice low, her biting words carried through the silent corridor to Vivienne’s ears. Derek, catching the slight crease of displeasure on Vivienne’s brow, sent a discreet look toward Milo.