Chapter 24

Overwhelmed with guilt, Mason swore he would never let Chloe down.

“Alright, Lily, you can both leave now,” Chloe said, giving her sister a pointed look. Understanding the signal, Lily and the doctor, who was also her husband, made a swift exit.

Chloe’s pale face broke into a radiant, gentle smile. “Mason,” she said, her voice soft and full of understanding, “I never wanted you to feel like you had to repay me. I saved you because it was the right thing to do! She coughed before continuing, “I would have saved anyone. You don’t owe me anything. You’ve been so good to me these past few years, and I’ve been very happy. Even if I don’t live past thirty, it’s been enough.”

Her words were like a knife to his heart. He grabbed her hand, his voice urgent. “Chloe, don’t say things like that. You’re just a little weak, that’s all. I’ll go get Vivian and bring her here for the transfusion. You just wait.”

Chloe shook her head. “No, Mason, I found out yesterday. Vivian never wanted to give me her blood in the first place."

“What? You saw Vivian? When?" Mason’s first thought wasn’t concern, but suspicion. He couldn’t believe Vivian had gone to Chloe instead of him. Clearly, she was up to something, probably trying to bully Chloe again.

“Did she do anything to you?” he demanded.

At his question, Chloe’s eyes reddened, and she looked away, unable to meet his gaze.

That was all the confirmation Mason needed. Her silent, wounded expression told him everything. He clenched his fists, his teeth grinding. “I knew it. That woman is despicable. I’ll make her apologize to you personally.”

He stormed out of the room. Chloe, trying and failing to look like she was stopping him, was left with her hand frozen in mid-air. Once his footsteps faded, a triumphant smile spread across her face.

"Vivian, you self-righteous fool," she thought with a smirk. “In the end, you’ll still come crawling back to apologize. So what if you’re a Hart? I can twist you around my little finger. You can’t compete with me. You’re nothing.”

Meanwhile, Vivian had gone back home and changed into a smart, professional outfit, transforming herself into the image of a corporate elite. She had a pure, gentle aura, though her eyes always held a hint of sorrow. Returning to the company, Richard, seeing her new look, was extremely pleased. With this image, he believed she could command a room.

“Vivian,” he said, “this is all on you. Don’t mess this up. If we land this deal today, you’re getting a promotion.”

The promise lit a fire in Vivian. She would nail this deal. She would prove to everyone – and to herself – that she was capable. She wouldn’t let Sienna down.

They walked into the hotel, but as luck would have it, they ran right into Sophie. Noticing Vivian, Sophie was taken aback. The timid, fearful Vivian she knew was gone, replaced by a woman with a confident aura.

She glanced at the portly, middle-aged man beside Vivian and sneered, “So, she’s latched onto Richard. No wonder she’s suddenly so bold.”

She waited for Vivian to greet her as before, but Vivian walked past her without a second glance.

“Vivian, stop right there,” Sophie snapped.

Vivian didn’t break her stride, but Richard paused, offering Sophie a placating smile. “Miss Quinn, is there something I can help you with?”

“I was talking to Vivian, not you. Get lost," Sophie shot him a disdainful look, then turned to Vivian. “You dare to ignore me? You think because you’ve snagged this guy, you’re on your way to the top? How pathetic.”

Vivian’s fists tightened. In the past, she would have tolerated it. She would have endured the insults, all because she loved Mason.

He had been a flicker of light in her endless darkness. But then Sienna came back and ripped open the roof of her prison, letting the real sun shine in. She finally understood what real love, what real warmth, felt like.

Ignoring her silence, Sophie pressed on. “I hear you want to end the engagement. You’ve really mastered the art of playing hard to get, haven’t you! Too bad for you, we’re not falling for it.”

Vivian turned, her expression unreadable, her eyes like ice.

“Are you finished? The Quinn family, are you some kind of priceless treasure I should be desperately crawling towards?” she sneered. “Let me be clear, Sophie: even if your whole family begged on their knees, I wouldn’t step foot in your house. You’re arrogant and ugly – and not worth my time. A morally bankrupt, classless waste of space."

Chapter 25

Sophie stared, utterly speechless. She didn’t expect to be cursed by Vivian. But by the time she recovered, Vivian and Richard were gone.

“You’re dead, Vivian," she seethed. “You just wait.”

“Mr. Wood, I’m sorry you had to see that," Vivian said quietly, on the other side. “If she tries to cause trouble, I’ll take full responsibility.”

Richard just waved his hand. “If we sign this contract today, we’ll be under the protection of a giant. Do you understand what you need to do?”

Vivian nodded firmly. Soon, they met the representative from SIE in the hotel room.

“Hello, we’re from Dynastis,” Richard spoke up to greet. “Are you with SIE Corporation?”

“Yes, come in,” the representative said. “Our superior would like to meet with one of your employees. This Miss can come with us.”

Richard pulled Vivian aside, his voice a low, urgent whisper. “Be careful. Watch what you say. Don’t offend anyone. If things go south, just tell them to let me in.”

“Don’t worry," Vivian said. “I won’t let you down.” With that, she walked into the room.

As the meeting dragged on, Sienna kept an eye on the security feed from her desk. When she heard Richard’s words to Vivian, her gaze shifted to the file lying in front of her.

From there, she knew Richard Wood was a former university professor who started his own business. No major scandals.

“Miss Sienna,” Lana said, “Miss Vivian is now speaking with our representative. Shall I have Mr. Wood sent up?”

Sienna nodded. Understanding what she meant, Lana went down personally.

Richard was a nervous wreck, pacing back and forth. When the beautiful blonde woman approached him and handed him a business card, he nearly fainted.

“Mr. Wood, it’s good to see you,” said Lana. “My name is Lana Yost, executive assistant to the president of SIE. Our president would like to see you. Are you available now?”

Richard could hardly believe his ears. The President of SIE Corporation wanted to see him! A small-time business owner, a minnow in the corporate ocean, he thought. Had a lifetime of good luck just fallen into his lap?