Chapter 483

Vivian shook her head slightly, trying to clear her thoughts as she sipped the hotel's complimentary tea. It was passable but had an unpleasant bitterness that made her wrinkle her nose. She set the cup down with a quiet sigh.

Giselle had arranged this reunion dinner at the Blackwood Group's Harbor Grand Hotel, flaunting her connections while being surprisingly stingy with the food and drinks. When Adrian paused at the doorway, whispers immediately rippled through the room. "Is Mr. Blackwood here for us?" someone murmured. Another glanced at Dominic and speculated, "Maybe he's here because of Mr. Sinclair?"

"Don't be ridiculous," another scoffed. "The CEO attending his uncle's girlfriend's class reunion? That's a stretch."

A more plausible theory emerged: "Since Giselle is dating Mr. Thornton and this is a Blackwood property, maybe he sent Adrian to comp our meal." This explanation seemed to satisfy the group, and they turned to Giselle with excited chatter. "Giselle, we're so lucky tonight! Having Mr. Blackwood join us is like winning the lottery!"

Giselle sat frozen, her usual confidence shaken by Adrian's unexpected appearance. She'd convinced herself he'd come specifically for her. The possibility made her pulse race. "Maybe he's just passing through," she muttered weakly.

Audrey rolled her eyes dramatically. "Some people will claim connections anywhere. Know your place - you're just the girlfriend of Adrian's uncle. The Blackwoods wouldn't even acknowledge you. And you think Adrian would attend a class reunion for you? Keep dreaming - it's already nighttime."

Dominic gave Audrey an affectionate look and took her hand, ignoring everyone else. Though Giselle shot Audrey a venomous glare, she held her tongue because of Dominic's presence and redirected her anger toward Vivian instead. Her eyes darted between the two women. "If Mr. Blackwood isn't here for me, then who? Surely not for Vivian?"

"Actually, I'm here for my wife," Adrian declared before striding confidently into the room.

"Wife?" A stunned silence fell as everyone exchanged confused glances, scanning the room to identify who among them could possibly be Adrian Blackwood's wife.

Audrey's eyes gleamed with satisfaction as she surveyed the shocked faces around her. A knowing smirk played on her lips as she turned to the man sitting beside Vivian. "Hey, don't you see her husband's arrived? Maybe you should make some space for him."

The man blinked in confusion, his gaze darting between the women before landing on Vivian with utter disbelief. "You mean... Vivian? She's Mrs. Blackwood?"

"Vivian? His wife?" Every head swiveled between Vivian and Adrian like spectators at a tennis match. The revelation hit like lightning, leaving the crowd momentarily speechless. But when they objectively compared all the women present, the conclusion was inescapable - Vivian was clearly the only possible candidate.

No one looked more shocked than Giselle, whose voice rose an octave as she blurted, "That's impossible! I thought Vivian's husband was just some low-level Blackwood Group employee!"

Adrian, completely unfazed by the whispers, approached Vivian with the effortless confidence of a man who owned every room he entered. The man beside her practically leapt from his chair, nearly knocking over a glass in his haste. He grabbed a napkin and frantically wiped down the seat as if preparing a throne before bowing slightly. "Mr. Blackwood, please, have a seat."

Adrian's lips quirked in amusement at the napkin display before settling gracefully beside Vivian. Leaning close, he flicked her nose playfully, his warm smile laced with teasing. "So this is how you introduce me to your old friends? As a low-level employee?"