Chapter 331

Damien Vaughn's voice crackled through the phone, laced with surprise and curiosity. "Hmm? What made you change your mind so suddenly? Is this about Adrian?"

Vivian Hartley's grip tightened around her phone.

Nearby, the woman with obvious cosmetic enhancements caught snippets of the conversation, her eyes widening in shock.

"Mr. Vaughn..." she whispered under her breath, her voice trembling with disbelief. She hadn't anticipated Vivian making such a bold move and panic surged through her, terrified Vivian might reveal something to Damien.

Vivian could feel the tension thickening around them, the woman's anxiety almost tangible. She had no intention of dragging Adrian into this conversation, especially not with this woman listening in.

"We'll discuss this later," Vivian said abruptly, ending the call before Damien could pry further.

The woman exhaled sharply in relief. But her momentary comfort shattered when she remembered Vivian's earlier declaration about joining the reality show.

The realization struck her like lightning. "You—you—" she stammered, her voice faltering.

Vivian absently twirled her phone between her fingers, a ghost of a smile playing on her lips. She met the woman's anxious gaze with cool indifference.

"I never had any intention of joining that show," she said evenly. "But—"

Vivian deliberately drew out the word, watching the woman squirm before continuing in a deceptively casual tone. "Since you're convinced I stole your opportunity and decided to pull this pathetic intimidation stunt today, there's no taking it back now. If I back out, doesn't that mean I'll be admitting guilt for something I didn't do?"

The woman's earlier bravado crumbled.

She bit her lower lip hard enough to leave marks, her eyes dropping to the floor. "I—I'm sorry," she muttered, though her apology rang hollow, her eyes burning with barely concealed resentment.

Vivian had dealt with enough fake apologies to recognize one instantly. The woman's lack of genuine remorse only strengthened her resolve.

Unmoved, Vivian abruptly stopped twirling her phone. She dropped it into her bag with a decisive motion, her gaze icy. "Do you honestly think an apology fixes anything?"

The woman hesitated, but her pride wouldn't let her surrender completely. She switched tactics, searching for leverage. "If you never wanted to be on the show, you must have your reasons. You don't have to do this just because of me, right?"

Vivian's lips curved slightly as she pinned the woman with an unwavering stare. "Why not? Why should I pretend to be the bigger person?" Her voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "I'm petty. And I don't forget."

Vivian shrugged nonchalantly, a silent challenge flashing in her eyes.

Before the woman could respond, a sleek black car pulled up, its engine purring to a stop. Vivian glanced at the license plate, confirming it was hers. Without hesitation, she strode past the stunned woman and slid into the backseat.

As the door closed, she rolled down the window one last time. "Drop the amateur theatrics," she said, her voice deceptively soft. "Even if there are no witnesses now, you know I have resources. Obtaining surveillance footage wouldn't be difficult."

Before the woman could react, Vivian's car was already merging into traffic, disappearing around the corner.