Chapter 317

Vivian blinked at Adrian, struggling to reconcile the image of him as vulnerable. This story was completely new to her - she couldn't fathom the powerful Adrian Blackwood ever needing assistance from someone as incompetent as Victor. The mental picture was ridiculous, like a grizzly bear requiring a squirrel's help to remove a splinter. Her mind refused to even form the image.

Bianca, perched eagerly on the sofa's edge, tilted her head with childlike curiosity. "When exactly did Uncle Victor save Adrian?"

Adrian's jaw visibly tensed. A brief shadow of discomfort flickered across his usually composed features. He clearly had no desire to revisit this memory.

Margaret, realizing her mistake, cleared her throat and waved dismissively. "Oh, that old story? Just some silly childhood incident."

Bianca, easily distracted, shifted her attention to Dominic, her brow furrowing with suspicion. Adrian's earlier comments had planted seeds of doubt in her mind. Was Dominic's coldness toward her because Vivian had been whispering behind her back?

Meanwhile, Vivian's thoughts spiraled downward. Adrian, the man she'd spent years trying to love and understand, remained an enigma wrapped in mystery. Layers of his life existed that she'd never uncovered. She realized with startling clarity that while she'd devoted herself to nurturing their fragile relationship, striving to be the perfect wife, she'd never truly questioned his past or attempted to know the real man beneath the polished exterior.

Yet here they were. Why had his behavior changed so dramatically recently? Was this sudden kindness genuine? Or was it all part of some calculated scheme? Theories swirled in her mind like autumn leaves. Was he clinging to their marriage out of pride alone?

With Serena back in the picture and Adrian now heading the Blackwood empire, he could have any woman he desired. So why hesitate about the divorce? Was it pure spite - refusing to let her be the one to walk away? Was he keeping her trapped to protect the Blackwood Group's reputation, or simply to save face? Vivian's mind churned with endless unanswered questions.

"Vivian." Margaret's sharp tone yanked her from her spiraling thoughts. "Stop sitting there like a statue. Go check if dinner's ready in the kitchen."

Suppressing the irritation bubbling in her chest, Vivian nodded stiffly. "Of course, Margaret." As she moved toward the kitchen, her mind remained clouded with unanswered questions.

Margaret waited until Vivian was out of earshot before turning back to Adrian. Her voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. "I know all about what you've been keeping from your grandparents. I wanted to spare you embarrassment, which is why I called her back to speak privately. But since you followed her here, let's be clear. When do you plan to divorce her? If you're concerned about her wellbeing, give her Seabreeze Villa and five million in cash. That's more than enough for her to live comfortably forever."

Adrian's jaw tightened visibly. Margaret pressed on, her tone softening as if offering a peace treaty. "If you're worried about her future, just give her Seabreeze Villa and five million. That's generous by any standard."

"We're not getting divorced," Adrian stated flatly. "We had an argument - what couple doesn't? Even the strongest marriages hit rough patches." He leaned back against the sofa, his gaze drifting toward the kitchen. Through the doorway, he could see Vivian's slender frame moving with quiet efficiency. Her hands worked with practiced precision, skills honed through years of thankless domestic labor.

Margaret sighed, frustration flashing across her carefully maintained features. "Didn't you always prefer Serena? I'll admit I didn't care for her at first either, but she's clearly superior to Vivian in every way. Successful, independent, no messy family entanglements—"

"Mother," Adrian cut her off sharply. "Must you constantly interfere? Serena and I are finished. She's like a sister to me. Stop this ridiculous matchmaking."