Chapter 239: I Would Wait

Exiting the Sinclair Group headquarters, Vivienne immediately noticed the sleek black Rolls-Royce Phantom waiting at the curb. As dusk settled and city lights twinkled to life, the car resembled a predatory beast lurking in the shadows, even at rest radiating a sense of wild majesty.

Vivienne's eyes softened as she acknowledged her driver. "No need for a ride today," she said. Clutching her handbag, she swiftly crossed the street to the waiting car. Inside, Derek reclined comfortably. His smile widened subtly as he watched her approach.

He smoothly exited the vehicle, his movements fluid as he stood to his full height under the dim streetlight, his presence overwhelming. Even in silence, he commanded attention. As soon as Vivienne reached him, he leaned down and wrapped her in a warm embrace—a simple hug filled with profound emotion.

"Are you done for the day?" Derek murmured, his breath lightly caressing her temple while his hand gently rubbed her back.

Within his arms, Vivienne nodded. "What brings you here unexpectedly? You usually let me know ahead of time." It was unusual for Derek not to call if he planned to pick her up, a fact she attributed to her late night at the office.

"Just driving by, I decided to stop and wait," Derek explained, easing back but keeping one hand on her shoulder. His tender gaze sent a wave of affection through Vivienne.

"Had I known you were here, I might have lingered a bit longer," Vivienne said with a playful pout, stifling a smile. "Just to make you wait a bit more…"

At her playful complaint, Derek's grin widened, his eyes crinkling with mirth. He gently tapped her nose. "I would wait for you no matter how late it got," he said, his voice warm and affectionate.

As he held her, he noticed the subtle signs of strain on her face—the slight redness around her eyes and visible tiredness. His expression grew concerned. Aware of the online rumors, he understood she might have had a difficult day at work.

"Why don't you take a quick nap in the car? We have a bit of a drive before we get to the restaurant," Derek suggested, smoothly helping her into the vehicle, his arm securing her waist.

The day's events, especially a taxing phone call from Harrison, had left Vivienne feeling drained. Settled in the car, she rested her head against Derek's shoulder, intertwining her fingers with his, and quickly fell asleep. Her breathing became soft and rhythmic, filling the space with a soothing sound.

Vivienne rested quietly in Derek's arms, her warmth pressing against him. Soft flickers of her lashes hinted at dreams, while a delicate sheen lingered on her rosy lips. As she slept, the usual fire in her presence faded, leaving behind a calm, almost ethereal stillness. The dark shadows under her eyes didn't escape his notice.

With a slight furrow of his brow, Derek quietly took out his phone and typed a message to Caleb: "Time to shake up the Mitchell family."

Caleb, initially startled by the alert, straightened up in his chair. Confused by the content, he turned to Austin. "Which Mitchell family are we talking about?"

Austin chuckled lightly, a sly grin spreading across his face. "In Lyhaton, when you say 'Mitchell family,' there's only one that truly stands out—the ones behind Mitchell Group."