Chapter 380

A subtle change came over Margaret's expression as her voice gentled. "You should confirm his availability first. If he's occupied, we can arrange another time. His responsibilities are substantial, and as his wife, showing consideration for his professional obligations is essential."

Vivian bit back a sigh, irritated that nobody ever seemed to account for her own packed schedule.

She tapped Adrian's contact, and his rich baritone filled the car's interior. "Missing me already, darling? It's barely been an hour."

The sudden silence made Adrian's words crystal clear to Margaret. Her eyes widened momentarily before narrowing with disapproval. She shot Vivian a withering glare, as if the younger woman was corrupting her son.

Sensing the tension, Vivian darted a glance at Margaret while Adrian, oblivious, continued teasingly, "Cat got your tongue? Wait—"

"I'm with your mother," Vivian cut in hastily before Adrian could say anything more suggestive.

There was a beat of silence before Adrian's tone shifted to professional politeness. "Why are you two together?" Vivian caught Margaret's pointed look and sidestepped the question. "Are you free this afternoon?"

Adrian instantly understood the situation. He snapped the file shut, handed it to Ethan with a meaningful look, and answered smoothly, "My schedule just cleared." Only then did Vivian address his initial query. "Margaret wants to take me for fertility testing. You should come too."

Adrian's brow furrowed, echoing Vivian's earlier response. "Didn't we just complete our annual physicals last month?"

Margaret's lips thinned, her gaze turning razor-sharp. She became convinced Vivian was negatively influencing Adrian's attitude.

Vivian tugged at her lower lip, adopting an innocent expression as she parroted Margaret's words. "How could preconception exams possibly compare to routine checkups?"

Amusement flickered in Adrian's eyes. He recognized the subtle mimicry in Vivian's tone—a perfect imitation of Margaret's cadence. Yet instead of irritation, he felt warmth. The once-passive woman who'd quietly endured life at Seabreeze Villa was now showing spine and strategy by involving him. Considering their recent reconciliation, this development pleased him immensely.

His voice softened with affection. "I'll meet you there shortly. I've been meaning to visit Eleanor anyway—it's been too long."

Vivian ended the call and met Margaret's glacial stare head-on. Without flinching, she opened her work chat and waved her phone. "Margaret, I need to handle some urgent business matters."

Margaret's lips curled. "The Blackwoods don't require you to play executive. Once you conceive, you'll resign and focus on domestic duties."

Initially, Vivian had approached Margaret with strictly professional boundaries. But experience taught her that rigid principles only bred resentment. If diplomacy could ease tensions, why persist in conflict?

Vivian offered a conciliatory smile. "Margaret, they say maternal happiness affects fetal development, but staying alone at Seabreeze Villa all day dampens my spirits. With Adrian constantly working and the housekeeper managing everything, I've too much idle time. As the saying goes—no man is an island. Human beings need social interaction; solitude isn't healthy long-term."