Just then, the host's voice rang out inside the banquet hall.

I glanced at Vivian. "The banquet's about to start. Let's go."

This banquet was meant for my engagement announcement. I wasn't going to hold it up for Vivian's sake.

On the way back to the banquet hall with her, a smirk tugged at my lips. The show was just getting started.

I stood at the center of the stage as Yvonne Stauffer, the most stunning woman in Seabrook, descended the spiral staircase in a couture gown. She stepped up onto the stage and gently took my arm. I gazed at her with nothing but love in my eyes. That affection was perhaps more than I had ever shown Vivian in the past.

I lightly patted her hand to reassure her, then turned to face the guests. "I'd like to introduce my fiancee to everyone. This is Yvonne Stauffer."

Yvonne smiled shyly as she raised her hand in greeting. "It's nice to meet everyone."

The guests erupted in applause. "She's so much better than Vivian Saddler!"

"Honestly, Vivian had no idea how good she had it. Mr. Griffith could've had anyone he wanted. She really blew it!"

I cleared my throat. "I'll be sending out wedding invitations soon. I hope everyone will be able to attend."

Amid the cheers, my eyes found Vivian in the audience. Her expression had changed drastically. It was as if she had been struck.

Just as I expected, I hadn't even made it home before I received a text message from Vivian. "I didn't think you'd be getting married so soon, Lucian. Congratulations!"

I calmly adjusted my glasses. "I won't be around to look after you anymore. Take care of yourself. Your back acts up when it rains, so remember to apply a hot compress when it happens. You always suffer from migraines too. Don't forget to keep your medication by your bedside…"

I replied with a message I had prepared long ago.

There was no reply from her for a long while. Perhaps she was reminiscing about the kindness I had once shown her.

I didn't think much of it. After getting home and taking a shower, I went straight to bed.

When I checked my phone the next morning, I realized that Vivian had sent me a text in the middle of the night. "I was the one who failed you. If I were given a second chance, I'd marry you. But I guess it's all too late now…"

I stretched. Everything was going exactly as planned. "Let the past stay in the past. After all that time together, we can still be friends even if we can't be lovers."

Vivian seemed to have not slept a wink. Before I could even put away my phone, she replied to my text. "Yeah! We'll always be the best of friends!"

I shook my head. Vivian was too easy to fool. It was no wonder Wyatt had her eating out of his hand. I must've been too sincere with her! She was the kind of woman who followed whoever said the right words to her.

I set my phone aside and looked at Yvonne, who was still asleep beside me. A deep sense of peace settled over me.

In terms of family background and beauty, she far outshone Vivian. Yet, she was somehow more innocent and kinder than Vivian.

We had only known each other for three months. But things between us felt effortless when I was with her.

Perhaps she was the one for me.

I heard that Wyatt and Vivian got into a fight after the banquet. He accused her of still having feelings for me.

Perhaps Vivian had once been completely bewitched by him, but after his outburst at my engagement party, she was bound to start thinking about me again. After all, I had always been the one running after her. It was possible that she still naively believed I would go back running to her as long as she looked back.

But with my engagement announced out of the blue and seeing the immature boy by her side, how could Vivian not regret her choice?

…

Two days later, while I was in the office handling some documents, the secretary suddenly entered to inform me that Vivian was here.

I smiled. "Guests are always welcome. Let her in!"

Vivian walked in with uneasy steps. "I hope I'm not disturbing you."

I closed the file. "Not at all. I just finished my task. I'll take you to that restaurant you love in a while."

Surprise crossed Vivian's expression.

I awkwardly scratched my head. "I'm sorry. That was a force of habit. I forgot you have a new boyfriend now."

Vivian immediately responded, "It's alright. I have time. Let's catch up as old friends!"

I lowered my head and adjusted my glasses. My smile slipped from my face. I had already known that she'd agree.

After our engagement was called off, she had a huge fight with her family. She had gone against her family's wishes to be with Wyatt. The Saddler family knew well what kind of crisis this would bring to Saddler Group.

Vivian was the Saddler family's only daughter who was raised spoiled. Her parents loved her so much that they had never punished her.

However, Wyatt wasn't so lucky. Mr. and Mrs. Saddler blamed everything on Wyatt. They claimed that it was he who seduced Vivian and caused her to make such a terrible mistake. They even declared he wouldn't get a single share from Saddler Group, and neither would they offer him a position at the company.

To outsiders, he appeared to be an attractive young man who had climbed the social ladder. But only he knew how miserable his life had become.

He could've secured a position at a reputable company with his capabilities. There was plenty of room for him to grow. But now, no company in Seabrook would hire him out of respect for me.

These days, he acted more like a parasite who was completely dependent on Vivian for survival. If she left him, he would have nothing. Given all this, his current state of anxiety and paranoia made a lot of sense.

But his biggest mistake was drowning his sorrows in alcohol. He ended up sleeping with a hostess in a moment of drunken lust.

Vivian seemed completely unaware of the matter. She was entirely focused on how to get closer to me again.

Seeing the anticipation written all over her face, I couldn't help but think, "What a foolish woman. Thank God I didn't end up marrying her."

Although it was my father who decided to pull the investment from Saddler Group, he gave me full control over how it was carried out. The reason I hadn't acted yet was because I had been waiting for the right moment. And now, it seemed that moment was fast approaching.

Once Vivian received Wyatt's scandalous photos, I would use the excuse that it demonstrated a negative public image and withdraw all support from Saddler Group. I just hoped that Vivian wouldn't accuse me of being ruthless then.

After all, she was the one who had betrayed me first. She had caused my father's blood pressure to skyrocket, and my mother had almost ended up hospitalized when she nearly collapsed. All I was doing was returning the favor.

I stretched languidly after finishing my work. My eyes were drawn to Vivian, who was still ensconced on the couch, waiting for me. She looked up from her phone. "Done with work?"

I nodded.

Vivian said gently, "You've worked hard. I never realized how exhausting your day-to-day life could be. You know, this is the first time I've seen you working. You look quite handsome."

I gave a wry smile. In the past, I would always make sure to fix myself up to look more presentable before meeting her. I didn't want her to see me tired. I also always tried to make as much time as possible for her.

But I never received a shred of understanding in return.

Now, she was acting gentle and considerate to get back on my good side.

She would probably never know that I had been busy finalizing the arrangements to sever all business ties with the Saddler family during the two hours she spent waiting for me.

I threw on my coat. Before I could say a word, Vivian scrambled to her feet. "Are we leaving now?"

I nodded and had the chauffeur prepare our ride.

Vivian and I locked eyes. However, neither of us said a word the entire way there. The silence between us was almost unsettling. Then suddenly, her phone rang, breaking the silence.

Vivian reached to end the call on reflex, but I caught her arm. "We're still a distance away from the restaurant. You might as well pick up."

She looked confused but nodded. "Okay."

As soon as she answered the call, panic suddenly bled into her countenance. My guess was that she finally found out about Wyatt's scandal.

After ending the call, she immediately tried to call Wyatt. But no matter how many times she tried, there was no answer. Her hands tightened around her phone as she frowned.

"Did something happen?" I pretended to ask in a concerned tone.

It was only then that Vivian remembered that I was beside her. She quickly composed herself. "I won't be able to join you for dinner tonight, Lucian. Let's do it another day. My treat!"

I smiled gently. "Of course. If you have something to take care of, go ahead. Do you need a ride?"

Vivian quickly turned me down, seemingly flustered. "It's fine. Just drop me off somewhere. I'll call for a cab."

I said nothing more and inclined my head to signal the chauffeur to pull over.

Once Vivian got out of the car, I watched through the rear-view mirror as she stood by the roadside, frantically trying to make more calls. Her anxious expression made it obvious that no one was answering her calls.

I dialed up one of my men. "Spread the news. I want to see it in the headlines tonight! Deliver the prepared divestment plan to Saddler Group first thing in the morning!"

Given Griffith Corporation's reach, it wouldn't take more than an hour for the entire city of Seabrook to find out. By then, it wouldn't change a thing even if Wyatt were to get down on his knees and beg.

The chauffeur asked cautiously, "Where to now, Mr. Griffith?"

I stared out the window. "Go pick up Yvonne."

The truth was that I had never intended to have dinner with Vivian tonight. I had everything arranged long before Vivian had even shown up. I also knew that she would find out what Wyatt had done at 6:30 pm sharp.

The reservation for the restaurant had always been made for me and Yvonne. Vivian just happened to walk into the line of fire, and I simply wanted to see her reaction when she received the news with my own eyes.