Chapter 400

Adrian cradled the frog gently before leaning in to press a kiss against Vivian's flushed cheek. "Guess that makes you my little frog now."

Vivian wrinkled her nose in playful disgust, shoving the amphibian away. "Me? Even as a frog, I'd be the fairest in the land. The crown princess of lily pads."

With mischievous fingers, Adrian began molding the frog like clay. "Then I'll be your devoted prince."

Vivian's laughter caught in her throat, startled by the unexpected playfulness from her usually stoic husband. She gave his shoulder a light punch, giggles bubbling up. "That was terrible. I think I just got frostbite from how cheesy that was."

He watched the way her eyes crinkled at the corners, how sunlight danced across her smiling lips. Something warm and unfamiliar expanded in his chest. These moments - these careless, joyful moments - were worth every compromise.

For the first time, he thought he might be beginning to understand the true meaning of marriage.

Meanwhile, at Seabreeze Villa...

Beyond the freshly manicured hedges, a shadowy figure approached Gwendolyn, thrusting several paper bags into her arms. "Dispose of the old ones properly. Don't mix them up."

Inside lay identical replicas of Vivian's daily supplements.

"Understood," Gwendolyn muttered before scurrying back toward the villa like a startled mouse.

In the privacy of her quarters, she meticulously transferred the new supplements into Vivian's bottles. As she stuffed the originals into a plastic bag, hesitation gripped her. These were the supplements Madame Blackwood had procured at great expense - surely they held some value.

Her fingers flew across her phone screen as she texted her son: "Come to Seabreeze Villa immediately. I have special supplements for your girlfriend. Maybe these will finally give me a healthy grandson."

A second message followed for emphasis: "Call upon arrival. Do NOT enter. Wait by the main road."

Thirty minutes later...

Ethan turned the car into the gated community when Vivian suddenly stiffened. Through the window, she spotted Gwendolyn sneaking toward the gates, clutching a suspicious plastic bag.

"Stop the car," Vivian commanded, tapping Ethan's shoulder sharply.

Though confused, Ethan knew better than to question Mrs. Blackwood's orders. The brakes hissed as the luxury vehicle came to an abrupt halt.

Vivian rolled down her window. "Gwendolyn! Where exactly are you going?"

The housekeeper froze like a deer in headlights, the bag twitching behind her back. "M-Mrs. Blackwood! You're home early..."

Vivian's gaze sharpened. "I asked where you're going."

"Just... taking out the trash," Gwendolyn stammered, fingers tightening around the bag.

Vivian's eyebrow arched. Since when did the villa staff handle their own trash disposal? Something wasn't adding up.

The plastic bag crinkled ominously in Gwendolyn's trembling hands.