Chapter 266
Vivian turned on her heel and walked away without a backward glance. Clarissa froze mid-step, confusion clouding her features. Had she been wrong about Vivian's connection to that man?
Her bewilderment deepened as she watched Ethan retrieve a water bottle from the driver's seat and take a long sip. The bottle looked identical to the one Vivian had just been drinking from. From her vantage point, she couldn't see that Vivian had taken hers along. The matching bottles made her assume it was the same one. That brief flicker of hope died as quickly as it had sparked.
"Excuse me."
The deep baritone voice behind her sent an unexpected shiver down her spine, rich and velvety like aged whiskey. Her pulse quickened as she twisted the scooter's handlebars forward, then glanced back over her shoulder.
The sight stole her breath. How could such perfection exist in human form? The man was breathtaking—towering with razor-sharp features, exuding power with every stride. His magazine-cover face and commanding presence demanded attention without effort.
Clarissa's knees nearly gave way when she realized he was heading straight for the luxury car. Her jaw dropped as the man by the vehicle straightened instantly, offering a respectful nod before opening the door. The stranger moved with effortless grace, every motion radiating quiet authority.
She stood rooted to the spot, watching numbly as the man entered the car and drove away.
Only when the taillights disappeared did she snap out of her daze, heart still racing. The realization hit her like a thunderbolt—the true owner of that car wasn't Vivian's husband. It was him.
That godlike man she'd just seen—the embodiment of every fantasy she'd ever had—was clearly the boss. Vivian's husband was nothing more than the chauffeur!
Giddy excitement bubbled up inside her. A delighted laugh escaped before she could stop it, drawing curious glances from passersby. If Vivian was married to just the driver, then the path was wide open for her to pursue the real prize. Once she became Mrs. Blackwood, she'd be the one giving orders. Vivian and her lowly driver husband wouldn't dare meet her eyes.
The thought filled her with delicious anticipation. Fueled by ambition, Clarissa twisted the scooter's throttle and sped off in the direction the car had gone. "Destiny favors the bold," she whispered to herself.
Willowbrook High School.
Vivian stepped through the familiar gates of her alma mater. As she entered the administration office, one of the teachers recognized her immediately, breaking into a warm smile. "Vivian Hartley! What a wonderful surprise!" The school buzzed with activity, senior students rushing between classes, keeping teachers and curious students constantly occupied.
A teacher quickly ushered Vivian forward, presenting her proudly to the gathered students. "Everyone, this is Vivian Hartley—a true role model for all of you." Though Vivian had completed her final year at Crestwood, her legacy at Willowbrook remained untarnished.
Her academic achievements were the stuff of local legend—perfect standardized test scores, top percentile university entrance results, and an unprecedented literature exam score that still stood as the school record.
Nearly ten years since her graduation, and no one had come close to breaking her records.
Several boys in the group straightened noticeably when they saw her. They'd heard stories about the beautiful genius, but seeing her in person was something else entirely.