Chapter 73: Pull Strings

Vivienne followed the man in black to the vehicle, where Milo, positioned at the front, politely said, "Miss Vivienne, this way, please."

Vivienne's eyebrow twitched slightly as she entered the car, feigning surprise. "Oh, what are the odds?" Her smile barely concealed her insincerity.

Derek caught the fleeting sparkle in her eyes, a knowing grin curving his lips. "Miss Vivienne, you suspected, didn't you?"

"The Brighton Group," Vivienne replied, her tone betraying no surprise. However, her instincts suggested the man beside her held a position beyond the group's CEO.

Their gazes locked, a hint of warmth in his expression. "Would you care to join me for lunch?"

"Absolutely," Vivienne replied, dropping all pretense.

As Derek's car pulled away, it brushed past Warren's vehicle. Warren glimpsed Vivienne's face through the rising window.

Unaware of his observation, Vivienne smiled radiantly as she spoke with Derek. Warren watched the Rolls-Royce disappear, a blank expression on his face. He wondered if Vivienne had switched allegiances. What other explanation could there be?

Lost in thought, he barely heard his assistant. "Mr. Mitchell?"

Only the second call broke through. Regaining his composure, he asked firmly, "Is the meeting with Mason King from Sinclair Group confirmed?"

"He is available at the scheduled time."

"Proceed to Gourmet Spot," Warren instructed.

Silence filled the car, yet Vivienne's enchanting smile lingered in his mind. After a moment, he said, "Find out what Vivienne's up to."

"Got it," his assistant replied.

Meanwhile, in Derek's car, surprise and mischief played across Vivienne's features. "Project details are usually confidential. You're overstepping, don't you think, Mr. Hopkins?"

"Am I?" Derek replied, his gaze deepening as he admired her smile. "The redevelopment plans for the old southern district don't justify a five-billion-dollar investment if it's just housing. You must have other intentions, Miss Vivienne. I'm hoping you might include me, given our history, so I can adjust my strategies for the surrounding properties."

A flicker of amusement crossed Vivienne's eyes. "Trying to pull some strings, Mr. Hopkins?"

Derek gently touched her hair, his hand resting tenderly at the back of her head. Leaning closer, his breath warm against her cheek, he whispered, "Would you consider it, Miss Vivienne?" His smile deepened.

Vivienne blinked, regaining her composure. "Isn't this crossing a boundary?"

"We're more than mere acquaintances, aren't we?" Derek responded.

Vivienne brushed his hand away. "Remember, you're the one chasing me. I haven't said yes yet."

Undeterred, Derek continued, "We've already held hands and embraced. Doesn't it make sense to get a little closer?"

Vivienne was speechless. His argument was frustratingly brilliant.

"Let's get back to business. I'll put up two and a half billion for fifty percent of the shares," Derek said, returning to their initial discussion.

Vivienne raised an eyebrow. "Thirty-five percent."

"Forty-five percent."

"Deal."

In the front seats, the driver and Milo exchanged surprised glances. Such straightforward negotiations were uncommon. In moments, these powerhouses sealed a multi-billion-dollar deal.

One might wonder if Derek was more captivated by beauty than business acumen. Despite Vivienne's striking appearance, Milo felt Derek needed to maintain his composure.

Surprised by his directness, a subtle look of astonishment appeared in Vivienne's eyes. "You're not worried I might be tricking you?"

"I trust you," Derek replied without hesitation.

Vivienne chuckled. "That's a lot of trust after just a few encounters. Am I supposed to feel honored, or should I be questioning your judgment, Mr. Hopkins?"

"My choices are reasoned," Derek said confidently.

Derek's phone rang. It was Caleb.

"Derek, I've found something. The Sinclair family is stirring trouble!"

"Okay," Derek replied calmly. "If there's nothing else, I'll hang up."

"Hold on, weren't we supposed to grab lunch? Where are you? I can't find you," Caleb added hastily.

Derek, idly twirling a strand of Vivienne's hair, remained unfazed. "Something more urgent has come up. We'll need to postpone."

A gleam of amusement shone in Vivienne's eyes. Something more urgent?

Derek ended the call without waiting for a reply.