Chapter 346

Time stood still for Vivian as Adrian's voice echoed through the studio. Instead of feeling touched, a cold shiver ran down her spine. The same Adrian Blackwood who had maintained a professional distance in public was now whispering sweet nothings to her on national television.

She mentally catalogued all the recent changes in Adrian's behavior. Had this been a private setting, she might have checked his temperature or searched for hidden cameras.

Beneath his composed exterior, Adrian's pulse raced wildly. Not even during his toughest negotiations in Frostholm had he felt this unsettled. Always the strategist, he'd navigated every situation with precision. Yet here he was, acting like a lovestruck teenager, throwing caution to the wind.

These were the exact words Ethan had suggested during their car ride to the studio. Thirty minutes ago, Adrian had scoffed at the idea, certain he'd never utter such sentimental drivel. But when the moment came, the words flowed effortlessly.

The host and director exchanged knowing glances before approaching the couple, their faces alight with mischief. "So what's really going on between you two? Are we witnessing a real-life romance here?"

The microphone hovered between them.

Vivian maintained her polite smile but reached for the mic first. "I think there's been some confusion. We're not actually-"

Before she could finish, Adrian pulled her close, his gaze softening as it met hers. "Not just dating. We're married."

The studio audience gasped collectively.

Surrounded by Adrian's familiar cologne, Vivian's thoughts spun wildly. She stood frozen in his embrace, like a marionette with cut strings. She desperately sought composure but found herself utterly unprepared for this turn of events.

It reminded her of those early days after their wedding, when she'd longed for public acknowledgment as Mrs. Blackwood. What had she wanted back then? Simply to be the perfect society wife.

Adrian noticed her stunned expression. A flicker of unease had shot through him when she denied their relationship, but he quickly suppressed it. If they argued now, he'd become tabloid fodder. Still, he mentally noted the serious conversation they'd need to have later.

Adrian's declaration landed like a bombshell, rendering the entire crew speechless - a plot twist no script could have predicted. The most shocked expressions belonged to Cassandra and Julian. Cassandra, forgetting she was still on camera, whispered, "This can't be... Mr. Blackwood is her husband?"

The director quickly muted her microphone. Realization dawned on Cassandra as she remembered she'd essentially paraded herself as the other woman in front of the actual wife. Julian recovered faster, though the revelation still weighed heavily.

He felt a pang of sympathy for Vivian. How could her own husband help Serena steal a role meant for her? As a fellow man, Julian couldn't comprehend Adrian's logic in neglecting such a devoted wife for someone like Serena.

The audience buzzed with excited whispers. The director shot the host a meaningful look, who quickly stepped forward, his voice laced with curiosity. "Is this marriage for real?"