Chapter 425

The man's laughter was dark and raspy. "Your parents? They practically gave away their company for pennies."

"If they cared about you, why would they abandon you in this parking lot?"

With terrifying ease, he pushed her into the backseat. Before she could scream, a musty cloth silenced her.

Across town at Blackwood Group headquarters, Adrian and Vivian arrived in a sleek black sedan driven by Ethan.

Adrian turned to Vivian, his stern features softening with a rare smile. He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Don't stay up waiting. Finish your reports and get some sleep. I have a late meeting in Silverpine."

Vivian straightened his tie with practiced elegance. "Not in Crestwood?"

"No," he murmured. "But tomorrow night, dinner. Just us."

His fingers brushed against hers - an unconscious gesture that suddenly felt weighted with meaning. Adrian realized even the smallest moments between them now carried unspoken promises.

"Alright," Vivian replied softly.

After one last squeeze of her hand, Adrian reluctantly exited the car. Vivian watched until he disappeared through the glass doors before settling back into the leather seat.

"Mrs. Blackwood, shall we return to Seabreeze Villa?" Ethan asked, meeting her gaze in the rearview mirror.

Her phone vibrated.

The screen illuminated with two new WhatsApp messages from Julian Montclair. "Vivian, I'm back in Crestwood. Dinner tonight? No excuses this time."

She hesitated. Adrian had mentioned their unexpected familial connection, which now made everything awkward. That childhood crush she'd admired was technically a cousin.

But perhaps this was for the best. Meeting a male friend alone would raise eyebrows, but family? That was perfectly acceptable.

Her fingers flew across the screen. "My treat. Hazelnut Time Coffee Shop - private room on the left." She sent the location pin.

Ethan only saw his employer engrossed in her phone, unaware of the exchange. After a pause, he nodded. "Very well, Mrs. Blackwood."

At the coffee shop, Vivian checked her watch for the third time. An hour had passed with no sign of Julian.

"I'm here. Where are you?" Two unanswered messages glared back from her screen.

The ice in her neglected latte had completely melted.

Outside, twilight painted the streets in deepening shadows.

Still no reply.