Chapter 129

The moment Adrian Blackwood loomed over Vivian Hartley with that predatory stance, Sebastian Hartwell emerged from the shadows. His protective instincts flared when he saw Adrian cornering Vivian—he assumed it was another cruel game connected to Serena Whitmore.

Sebastian's fist flew before he could think.

"Watch out!" Vivian moved like lightning, shoving Adrian aside and taking the blow herself. Sebastian tried to pull back, but momentum carried his knuckles straight into her bare shoulder. The impact left an angry red mark blooming across her skin.

Sebastian's arm froze mid-air. "Vivian—Christ, are you hurt?"

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Adrian's voice cut through the air like a blade. His gaze burned with fury as it landed on the bruise forming on Vivian's shoulder. When his eyes snapped to Sebastian, the temperature seemed to drop ten degrees.

With deliberate slowness, Adrian shrugged off his tailored jacket, letting it crumple to the ground like trash. The gesture screamed danger. Vivian's stomach twisted. This wasn't just anger—this was the eerie calm before Adrian's infamous storms.

She'd seen this side of him before. The memory played in her mind like a horror film. That night at Mirage Lounge, when a drunk investor had made a vulgar comment about Serena. Without warning, Adrian had walked into that VIP room like death incarnate. The man had ended up in the hospital with three broken ribs and a shattered jaw. No amount of pleading from Vivian had stopped Adrian's rampage that night.

Now, as Sebastian stood there, confusion and guilt written across his face, Vivian knew history was about to repeat itself. She hadn't stepped in front of Adrian to protect him—she'd done it to save Sebastian from becoming another casualty of Adrian's wrath.

"Don't!" Vivian gritted her teeth against the throbbing pain and grabbed Adrian's arm, her fingers trembling but insistent.

His dark eyes locked onto hers, unreadable. That she'd shielded him moments ago had struck something primal in him. But seeing her intervene for Sebastian now? That twisted something painful in his chest. When had she started extending that protective instinct to others?

Harrison Whitaker rushed over, his face pale with confusion. He looked to Vivian for explanation.

Forcing a smile, Vivian tried to diffuse the tension. "It's fine. Really. Just a scratch—I'm not made of glass." Her attempt at lightness only made Adrian's expression darken further.

He turned to Sebastian and Harrison, his voice glacial. "You might want to reconsider that partnership with Blackwood Group. From where I'm standing, you've just lost all privilege to it."

Harrison's face went sheet-white, sweat beading at his temples.