Chapter 245: Create More Problems Than You Solve

Cameron and Waldo were too shaken to speak. Vivienne intervened. “Grandpa, I asked my uncles to keep this from you. If anyone deserves punishment, it’s me.” She held out the ruler to Benjamin, silently urging him to strike her.

“Don’t be ridiculous!” Benjamin’s expression darkened as he tossed the ruler aside.

Vivienne crouched, resting her head on his lap. “Grandpa, please don’t be mad.”

“But you’re a young woman! How could you tolerate such disgusting slander?” His voice still held anger.

Vivienne’s lashes quivered, warmth spreading through her chest. Her family’s unwavering trust felt like an unshakable fortress. Her lips curved slightly. Even in her gratitude, she defended her uncles. “Grandpa, you know I never let these things bother me. Besides, my uncles have always protected me.”

“Vivienne, you don’t have to cover for them,” Benjamin said, glaring at his sons. “What kind of uncles are you—letting Vivienne take the fall for no reason! You always create more problems than you solve!”

Cameron, a political bigwig, and Waldo, a top lawyer, felt wrongly blamed. Yet, they knew that when the Sinclair family’s little princess suffered, they were held accountable. They had been ready to confront the Mitchell family the moment they saw the vile words and indecent photos.

Benjamin shot another sharp glance at his sons. “Get out of my sight! Just looking at you irritates me!”

They exchanged a silent look and left the study.

Vivienne, having spent the night at the Sinclair mansion, woke up naturally—a rare luxury. After freshening up, she went downstairs for breakfast. In the living room, an array of designer clothes, meticulously arranged by color and length in six neat rows, awaited her. Some were limited editions. Every piece belonged to her.

She was accustomed to such extravagance. “Miss Hayes, these will be sent to your apartment,” Leland informed her.

Vivienne nodded. “Where’s Grandpa?”

“He went fishing with his friends,” Leland said, hesitating. “He also asked me to tell you to take a week off.”

Vivienne paused mid-chew, a faint smile appearing. “Alright. Got it.” Since her grandfather insisted, she would embrace the carefree rich girl persona.

Around noon, Sienna called. “Let’s go out tonight! It’s been ages since we went clubbing!”

Vivienne barely hesitated. “Where to?”

“A new bar just opened. Let’s check it out!”

“Sounds good.”

As soon as she hung up, a dinner invitation from Derek appeared on her phone.

Meanwhile, a meeting at Brighton Group concluded, the tension easing as everyone exhaled. Derek’s phone buzzed. Milo glanced at the screen. His eyes flickered toward Derek upon reading the message. Derek’s brows furrowed, a distinct chill spreading across his sharp features.