Chapter 39

Adrian gave a solemn nod, absorbing her words before turning his gaze back to Serena. "I need to head back to the office now. Ethan will come by later to assist you. If anything comes up, just have Miranda guide him."

Serena noticed the subtle tension flashing across his features, and part of her wanted to beg him to stay. Yet after a brief hesitation, she offered a supportive smile and replied with quiet understanding, "You should go. I'll be fine on my own."

Once Adrian had departed, Miranda quickly shut the door with a soft click and turned to Serena, her face alight with excitement. "You'll never guess who I ran into earlier!"

Absently tossing the reports into the trash, Serena arched a brow with mild interest. "Do tell."

"Vivian Hartley, along with her manager, Lydia Bennett," Miranda gushed, pulling a chair close to the bed, her voice thick with gossip. "They were deep in conversation. Turns out Vivian's recent leg injury, which she neglected, not only reopened today but got burned too. Rumor has it, it might even scar!"

Serena stopped fidgeting with her fingers, her attention sharpening. She recalled Dominic mentioning a fire at Vivian's family estate that fateful night in the dimly lit private room of Mirage Lounge. It was becoming clear Vivian had likely been present when the incident occurred.

So while Vivian was enduring a dangerous ordeal, Adrian had been tending to Serena, who merely had a minor ailment? A slow, triumphant smirk curled Serena's lips.

After Serena left, Adrian had rushed into marriage. At first, she thought it was to provoke her, but as time passed, she began questioning Vivian's true significance in Adrian's heart. Looking back, perhaps she'd overestimated Vivian's importance. Even with the wedding band on his finger, Serena knew she remained his priority.

With a barely concealed grin, she waved a dismissive hand. "Don't waste your energy on her."

To Serena, Vivian was already a defeated rival. Miranda, misinterpreting this as professional confidence, nodded eagerly. "Absolutely, with Mr. Blackwood supporting us, that role is as good as yours. We just need to wait for the official announcement."

"Speaking of which," Miranda casually shifted topics, "didn't you mention Vivian and Adrian were having marital problems? Think about it, Serena. Mr. Blackwood is an extraordinary catch. With so many women vying for him now that he might be single again, you should push harder for that divorce and secure your place as Mrs. Blackwood."

Serena remained silent at Miranda's strategic suggestion. While the logic was sound, she remembered how her previous impatience had backfired. Sometimes, patience yielded better results.

Meanwhile, Lydia felt a pang of concern leaving Vivian alone at the hotel. She swiftly arranged for Vivian to move into an apartment directly across from hers that very evening.

Vivian paused at her new doorstep, glancing curiously at the identical unit opposite hers. "Why do you own two apartments here when you live alone?" The location was prime real estate in the bustling city center, where one unit's price rivaled a suburban mansion.

Vivian marveled at Lydia's financial acumen, wondering just how substantial her wealth must be to make such purchases so casually.