Chapter 75: Still Thinking About Him

Warren’s head snapped aside from the force of Vivienne’s slap. Driven by anger and humiliation, her blow landed with relentless fury, leaving a red imprint on his cheek. He slowly turned, the pain evident as he touched his face, his eyes burning with dark intensity.

In that heated moment, Mason, emboldened by alcohol, strutted forward. “Hey, what’s gotten into you, assaulting someone in public? Do you have any idea who this is? This man is…” As he drew closer and saw Vivienne’s face, his bravado faltered, and he stopped mid-sentence. Confusion replaced his confidence, then dread, as cold sweat beaded on his forehead. After a tense silence, he stammered, “Miss…”

Vivienne’s cold glance, a subtle warning in her eyes, silenced him. Realizing his mistake, Mason quickly reassessed the situation. “Ah, Mr. Mitchell, I suddenly recall a meeting I must attend. I must excuse myself. Thank you for your hospitality.” Awkwardly sidestepping Vivienne, he hurried out, his departure a blend of urgency and embarrassment.

“Mr. Mason, Mr. Mason…” Warren muttered, scowling at Mason’s hasty retreat. Vivienne seized the opportunity to leave.

“Wait!” Warren exclaimed, seizing her wrist. “Vivienne, we need to talk! I know our breakup was tough, but why lower yourself like this?” Before he could continue, a firm grip clamped onto his wrist, the knuckles prominent, the grip painfully tight. He yelped, his grip loosening, and was shoved aside.

He looked up into a stern, sharply defined face. Cold and menacing, Derek’s eyes seemed on the brink of fury. “Who are you?” Warren asked.

“The car’s outside. Let’s go,” Derek replied, ignoring the question, and turning to Vivienne.

Without hesitation, Vivienne silently began to walk away. Warren followed, only to be stopped by Derek. With a calm, dismissive stare, Derek warned, “Don’t let me catch you bothering her again.”

Warren stood there, teeth clenched, deeply offended by Derek’s clear disrespect. Who was this man, and what was his connection to Vivienne?

Back at the car, Derek noticed the red marks on Vivienne’s wrist, his eyes flashing. “Without you, what do you think the Mitchell family’s fate would be?”

“It’s up to his fate,” Vivienne replied sharply. “And you shouldn’t meddle.”

Derek leaned in close, momentarily stealing Vivienne’s breath. “Still thinking about him?” he asked, his smile cold and uninviting.

Vivienne’s expression tightened. “Do you really think I don’t know what’s good for me?”

A genuine smile finally broke through Derek’s stern demeanor. “You always seem so indifferent to what I do. It does seem you don't know what's good for you.”