Chapter 398

Vivian shot him an exasperated look. "Do I look like a walking bank vault? Sure, this pen was complimentary, but it's actually worth more than the one I bought! Who on earth would I give such an extravagant gift to? I need it for drafting my manuscripts. I just asked you to hold it for a second."

Adrian's expression darkened. "But you said it suited me."

Vivian let out an impatient sigh. "Why must you twist everything? First you claim you wouldn't be caught dead with such a 'cheap' pen, now you're sulking because I'm not giving it to you?"

"I never said I wouldn't use an affordable pen," Adrian countered, his voice dripping with mock offense. "Merely that I've never used one this modest before. As a wordsmith, shouldn't you appreciate semantic precision?"

Before he could finish, Vivian had already brushed past him, her heels clicking decisively against the marble floor. Adrian hesitated, watching the distance between them grow, before jogging to catch up with an exaggerated sigh.

As they walked, Vivian's attention was drawn to a newly opened boutique. She browsed the displays with mild interest until, just as she turned to leave, a sleek leather glasses case caught her eye.

Remembering the battered case she'd seen Ethan using earlier, she picked it up and headed to the register. Her eyebrows shot up when she saw the price tag - five hundred dollars for such a small item.

Before she could reconsider, the cashier had already printed the receipt. "Cash, card, or mobile payment?" the clerk chirped.

Choosing mobile payment with resigned acceptance, Vivian pulled out her phone.

As the transaction processed, the clerk cheerfully tossed a hideous neon green frog plush into her bag. "Today's promotion - spend five hundred and get this stress-relief toy free!"

Vivian forced a tight-lipped smile. "How... thoughtful." Stepping outside, she found Adrian leaning against a pillar, drawing admiring glances from a group of women. Their hopeful expressions fell when they saw Vivian approach, one muttering, "Figures. The gorgeous ones are always taken."

Adrian smirked at their retreating backs, shooting Vivian a pointed look. "Seems I'm quite the desirable commodity, according to public opinion."

Vivian didn't miss a beat. "Remember that celebrity heartthrob whose scandal made headlines last year? His wife was envied too... before the truth came out."

"And when have I ever resembled that trainwreck?" Adrian protested, his eyes widening in mock horror as he followed her.

Pausing mid-step, Vivian tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Neglect can be just as damaging as outright betrayal. You've had your moments." She continued walking as she added, "But everyone has flaws. Work on yours, and who knows? You might actually deserve that admiration."

Adrian scoffed. "Sure, I can definitely improve." The words had barely left his mouth when he realized he'd been maneuvered into making an implicit promise. He was still processing this when Vivian stepped into the waiting elevator. He barely managed to slip in before the doors closed.

In the dim underground parking garage, Vivian immediately pulled out the garish frog toy before handing Ethan a sleek shopping bag. "I noticed your glasses case was falling apart earlier. Saw this while shopping and thought of you."

Ethan's surprise was palpable as he accepted the gift with tentative fingers. "Mrs. Blackwood, I..."