Chapter 402

Adrian didn't even glance in her direction. "Household matters are entirely Mrs. Blackwood's domain."

Trembling with fear and out of alternatives, Gwendolyn collapsed to her knees. "Mrs. Blackwood, I swear on my life I'll never repeat this mistake. Please show mercy. My entire family depends on this job."

All pretense of dignity abandoned, she pressed her forehead against the marble floor with a sickening thud, the sound reverberating through the grand foyer of Seabreeze Villa.

Vivian took a deliberate step back, her frosty gaze unwavering. "No one will learn you were fired for misconduct. I'll simply say we're restructuring staff. But if you persist with this emotional blackmail..." Her voice turned glacial. "I'll ensure every household in Crestwood knows about your criminal record. Let's see who'd hire you then."

Gwendolyn's spine snapped straight as if electrified. The blood trickling from her scraped forehead painted a pathetic picture, but Vivian's steel tone extinguished any hope of sympathy.

Ethan moved forward from his position by the staircase. "Gather your belongings. I'll escort you out," he stated with finality.

Head bowed, Gwendolyn trailed Ethan back through the villa's opulent halls. When they reached her quarters, her gaze lingered on a discreet stash of supplements hidden near the bed. Sensing Ethan's watchful presence at the door, her fingers twitched before curling into fists. With practiced subtlety, she kicked the bottles beneath the bedframe before resuming packing.

Taking them now would be suicidal if caught. Better to leave them for Serena to handle later.

Her meager possessions took mere minutes to collect. Soon she was trudging down the villa's driveway, suitcase in hand. Passing Vivian, she shot her a look so venomous it could curdle milk. The hatred in those eyes burned like acid.

Vivian suddenly sneezed. "Someone's definitely cursing me," she remarked, rubbing her nose.

Adrian draped his cashmere coat over her shoulders, pulling her close. "Superstitions are beneath you. It's just the evening chill." He kissed her temple. "Come inside before you catch cold."

She melted into his embrace, savoring his warmth. "I'm not cooking tonight. Let's order that new Sichuan hotpot place."

Adrian hesitated, recalling their nutritionist's latest lecture. But the eager sparkle in Vivian's hazel eyes dismantled his resistance. "Fine," he conceded with a resigned smile.

"It's just broth and vegetables," Vivian coaxed, already pulling up the restaurant's menu on her phone. "Not exactly arsenic."

Upstairs, Vivian changed into silk lounge pants and a cashmere camisole before padding barefoot to the living room. She sprawled across the sectional, scrolling delivery estimates while Adrian adjusted the thermostat with a quiet click.

Noticing him watching, she hugged a throw pillow. "Dining room's too formal. Let's eat here with a movie." She bit her lip playfully. "Audrey and I did this last week. I'll clean everything afterward—no mess, I promise."

Adrian settled beside her, fingers threading through her honey-blonde hair. "Darling, we employ people for that." His thumb traced her jawline. "Save your energy for things that truly matter."

The unspoken meaning hung between them—their time together was precious, not to be wasted on trivialities. Vivian's answering smile held all the warmth of the imaginary hotpot bubbling toward them through the winter night.