Chapter 84

Serena's voice was honeyed as she intervened, "Darling, he was only joking. No need to get so defensive."

My fragile heart condition meant Adrian always treated me with kid gloves.

I know I lack Vivian Hartley's commanding presence.

"Honestly, at her age, she should opt for more sophisticated choices."

Adrian immediately assumed Audrey was the corrupting influence behind Vivian's recent rebellious streak. The way Audrey dressed - all plunging necklines and thigh-high slits - explained everything about Vivian's sudden attitude shift.

Deliberately ignoring Audrey, Adrian focused his disapproval on Vivian. "With friends like these, no wonder you're acting like some wild club girl now."

Vivian had endured their subtle digs before, but dragging Audrey into this crossed a line. Her laughter was sharp as broken glass. "Oh, this is rich! The cheating husband and his homewrecking mistress giving lectures on propriety? Maybe you should check your own reflection first. Tell me, who exactly needs moral guidance here? The woman standing her ground or the two-timing hypocrites?"

"Vivian!" Adrian's voice cracked like thunder through the boutique.

Serena immediately fluttered between them, her voice trembling. "Adrian, please, this is my fault. Let's not fight over something so trivial."

Vivian's gaze drifted toward the exit, desperate to escape their suffocating presence.

Audrey nearly applauded Vivian's verbal takedown but settled for sliding her black card across the counter. "We'll take the dress."

But Vivian shook her head, throwing one last scathing look at Adrian. "Actually, no. I just realized - how embarrassing to choose the same tasteless gown as Miss Whitmore. Some mistakes shouldn't be repeated."

The unspoken comparison to her disastrous marriage hung heavy in the air.

Audrey smirked, adding fuel to the fire. "You're absolutely right. Those white floral accents? So... manufactured innocence. Perfect for certain types, I suppose."

Adrian's jaw tightened, ready to retaliate against their barbed comments.

"Save your breath," Vivian cut in, her voice steely. "Your opinions stopped mattering to me the moment you broke your vows. Say what you want - I know exactly where I stand."

With that, she turned sharply and marched back to the dressing room.

Watching Adrian get verbally eviscerated, Serena felt her fear of Vivian's wrath dissipate. The more Vivian asserted herself, the quicker Adrian's patience would wear thin.

When Vivian emerged in her original outfit and motioned for Audrey to leave, Serena put on her most concerned expression. "Adrian, I'm so sorry for causing trouble between you two today. Don't worry about me - you should go after her. Strong women still need tenderness sometimes. A little extra attention might smooth things over."