Chapter 264

Vivian narrowed her eyes, suspicion flickering in her gaze. Was this just another one of his games? Adrian had an uncanny ability to push her buttons with those subtle provocations.

"Oh, thanks," she mumbled, too famished to dwell on it. Her stomach growled as she turned back to the food. After last night's ordeal, every cell in her body screamed for nourishment.

Adrian withdrew his hand silently, disappearing into the bathroom without another word. Ethan observed the exchange with relief. "Mr. Blackwood, I'll wait by the alley entrance," he offered, eager to make his escape.

Vivian barely registered his departure. She dug through the paper bag, uncovering more breakfast treasures. Her gaze drifted toward the bathroom where Adrian stood brushing his teeth with meticulous precision, as if time meant nothing. How could he not be starving? He hadn't eaten since yesterday evening, yet showed no signs of hunger.

When Adrian finally emerged, he settled at the dining table, flipping open his laptop with practiced ease. His fingers danced across the keyboard between sips of rich, aromatic coffee that mingled with the scent of warm pastries.

Vivian tilted her head, curiosity getting the better of her. "Not hungry?"

Adrian glanced up, his expression unreadable. "Contrary to popular belief, I do require sustenance."

She arched an eyebrow. "Then why are you drinking coffee instead of eating?"

He paused, the ghost of a smirk playing on his lips. "Concerned about my wellbeing?"

Vivian rolled her eyes dramatically. "Starve for all I care."

Rising abruptly, she crossed to the sofa to retrieve a small keychain. Removing a single key, she slid it across the table toward him. "Spare key. I'm visiting my alma mater today. No idea when I'll be back."

"Dinner tonight," Adrian stated without looking up from his screen, fingers still typing an email response.

"Pass," she replied automatically.

Catching her reflection in the mirror, Vivian's eyes widened at the visible marks still decorating her neck and collarbone. With an exasperated sigh, she rummaged through her suitcase for a turtleneck sweater. Shouldering her bag, she slipped her phone inside and headed for the door.

Adrian cleared his throat pointedly - a sound that somehow managed to be both subtle and commanding. She turned halfway, meeting his expectant gaze that clearly demanded proper farewell. Instead, she offered only a fleeting glance before shutting the door firmly behind her.

For a long moment, Adrian stared at the closed door. His fingers tapped an absent rhythm against the tabletop as one thought circled his mind: Pretending nothing happened. What exactly did this woman take him for?

Outside, Vivian descended the stairs just as Clarissa arrived on her electric scooter. The woman spotted her immediately, coming to an abrupt stop. Clarissa's critical gaze swept over Vivian's simple athletic wear and makeup-free face. She prided herself on being the town's fashion icon, having spent hours this morning perfecting her appearance in hopes of encountering the owner of that luxury car she'd seen yesterday.

Her tailored wool suit - costing a month's salary - was meant to impress. Yet standing beside Vivian's effortless elegance in understated sportswear, Clarissa's efforts suddenly felt garish. Vivian's natural beauty outshone her meticulously applied makeup, stoking the flames of Clarissa's jealousy.

Clarissa's lips curled into a sneer as she took in Vivian's outfit. "Heard you married some rich tycoon and were handing out gifts yesterday. Yet here you are - still no sense of style. Not a single designer label in sight."

Vivian glanced down at her clothes from Seabreeze Villa - custom-made pieces designed for comfort and quiet luxury. Though lacking visible logos, their quality surpassed any mass-produced designer item.