Chapter 112

"Mr. Blackwood, has it suddenly occurred to you that you're in love with me?" Vivian's voice dripped with biting sarcasm, meant to wound, yet it left an unexpected emptiness in her chest.

Adrian immediately recognized the venom in her tone. His response came cold and detached. "Fall for an ungrateful woman like you? Never."

Getting exactly the reaction she'd anticipated, Vivian abruptly ended the call. Her lips curled into a bitter smirk as she mockingly toasted the silent phone. Tossing it onto the couch, she decided a grocery run was overdue—her pantry needed restocking far more than her heart needed to dwell on a failing marriage to a man who'd become a stranger.

Outside Cascade Residences, a Ferrari glistened in the afternoon light, parked with the casual arrogance of ownership. Dominic stepped out, followed by an energetic teenage girl bursting from the passenger seat. She tilted her face upward, eyes sparkling with excitement as she gestured toward the luxury apartments.

"This is perfect!" she exclaimed. "Right in the city center, just blocks from my school! You won't have to worry about me at all. Once I move in, I promise I'll focus on studying—"

The girl was technically Dominic's cousin, sent by his mother after protesting dorm life. Dominic had been roped into apartment hunting—a task he found mildly tedious.

"I'm not holding my breath for your academic dedication," Dominic replied absently, his gaze drifting across the neighborhood. The area did seem pleasant enough.

Then a familiar figure caught his eye. His cousin continued chattering.

"Dominic, this place was recommended by my classmate! She knows all the celebrity hotspots, and I've heard several stars live here—" She paused, noticing his distraction. "Hello? Earth to Dominic? What's so interesting?"

Following his gaze, she spotted the object of his attention. Among the crowd stood an elegant woman in simple white tee and shorts that somehow looked designer on her frame. Her hair was loosely tied back, revealing the graceful curve of her neck, her serene face holding an untouchable beauty like moonlight.

The girl nudged Dominic with a knowing grin. "So that's your type? Not bad, cousin!"

Dominic pulled her closer with a warning hiss. "Shut it. She's married."

Her eyes widened dramatically as she covered her mouth. "Dominic! Crushing on a married woman? That's scandalous!"

But Dominic wasn't listening. He watched intently as Vivian swiped her access card—she lived here.

In one swift motion, he transferred five thousand sterling to his cousin. "Go shopping with your friends," he said distractedly, "but no clubs. I've got urgent business."

She blinked at the notification, grinning. "Wow, big spender! Fine, I'll let you off the hook. Go chase your forbidden romance—my lips are sealed!"

Ignoring her commentary, Dominic immediately dialed Adrian. "I've found where your wife is staying!" he announced.