Chapter 51: Not Difficult to Understand Someone

Derek showed no urgency to begin eating. Instead, he expertly dissected the king crab at the table center, his knife moving swiftly and precisely. Handling crab legs wasn't easy; most people would appear clumsy. This was precisely why Vivienne, despite her craving, hadn't attempted one. Yet Derek's long, nimble fingers manipulated fork and knife with effortless grace, his movements almost hypnotic.

When Vivienne looked up, she found a perfectly prepared crab leg on her plate.

"Thank you," she murmured, surprised. After a bite, she glanced at Derek, her curiosity piqued. "You seem to know me well."

Derek's eyes met hers, a smile playing on his lips. "It's not difficult to understand someone."

"You've been investigating me?" Vivienne's eyes narrowed, her tone hardening.

Derek chuckled softly, taking a sip of wine. His deep voice held an irresistible allure. "You're right here in front of me. Hearing it from you feels far more genuine. Besides, I don't need anyone else's version of you."

Her icy gaze softened. A faint smile touched her lips, though something unreadable lingered in her eyes as she studied him. "I wonder… what exactly have you learned?"

He paused, his gaze penetrating. "I've learned that beneath your calm exterior, there's a warm heart."

He set down his wine glass, his gaze unwavering. His eyes, unexpectedly tender, softened. "But I want to understand you more deeply. Would you give me that chance?"

A warm heart beneath a composed exterior… Vivienne hadn't expected this man, whom she'd known for only a few days, to understand her so completely. She recalled her three years with Warren, realizing he'd never truly understood her. She'd believed it was merely a matter of time—that Warren would eventually see her true self. Perhaps, as Derek suggested, understanding her wasn't difficult; it was about whether someone was willing to try.

Vivienne inhaled deeply, pushing back rising bitterness. She met Derek's sincere gaze, noting the quiet honesty in how he held his wine glass. Finally, she raised her own glass. "I hope you won't regret this decision."

"I'll prove it to you with time," Derek replied, his voice steady and filled with conviction.

After dinner, Derek offered Vivienne a ride home. Despite initial reluctance, she accepted, unable to refuse his insistence. Waiting by the roadside for him to retrieve the car, she texted her driver.

Natalie emerged from the nearby restaurant, her gaze instantly finding Vivienne. A sharp gleam flashed in her eyes as she said sweetly, "Warren, look, it's Vivienne. She's probably waiting for a ride. Why don't we offer to take her home?"

Warren, smiling indulgently at Natalie, replied, "She probably won't accept. It's better not to provoke her."

Natalie's expression faltered, her brows furrowing in disappointment. "I'm just worried it's unsafe for her to be out alone so late. Since you don't want to see her, let's just pretend we didn't notice."

Despite her words, a placating smile touched her lips, a smile that tightened Warren's chest. He sighed, yielding. "If you insist, go ahead and ask her. I'll get the car."

"Alright," Natalie said, her face brightening. "I knew you'd always care for me, Warren."

Once Warren turned away, Natalie's smile faded, replaced by a calculating glint. She approached Vivienne slowly, her gaze cold and sharp, fixed on Vivienne's unguarded back.