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.

Just as the car entered Yvonne's neighborhood, I caught sight of her in the distance skipping joyfully in my direction. As soon as she got in the car, she happily took my hand and kissed me on the cheek. "Thank you for making time to have dinner with me even though you've been so busy these days."

I was rather taken aback. With Vivian, she wouldn't have expected anything less from me. But now, the woman who was leagues better than her genuinely appreciated the gesture.

I thought to myself, "Maybe this has to do with how someone is raised."

Vivian was raised spoiled. She was both wilful and brash, believing that the world should revolve around her.

I patted Yvonne's head. "I'm sorry I haven't spent much time with you lately. Why don't we go on a trip abroad once I'm done with work?"

Yvonne enthusiastically agreed, "Yes, yes! I want to go to Sagamore!"

Perhaps a truly healthy relationship was about mutual understanding and making the effort to be there emotionally. The longer I spent with Yvonne, the more I felt that everything I had done for Vivian had been a waste.

After we arrived at the restaurant, I texted the chauffeur and had him check on Vivian. He sent me a video shortly after. In it, Vivian was kneeling outside the gates of the Saddler's residence. It took a while before Mr. and Mrs. Saddler came outside.

Mr. Saddler immediately started berating Vivian, "This is all because your mother and I have spoiled you rotten! Couldn't you have picked a better man?

"Our relationship with Griffith Corporation is already on shaky ground because of you. And now, with Wyatt's scandal, Saddler Group's stock price is tanking. Our stocks will crash if Griffith Corporation withdraws its investment. The company will face immediate bankruptcy!"

"You've had it too good for the past 20 years. And now, you're giving it all up for some troublemaking pretty face!"

The more he yelled, the angrier he got. He raised his hand and slapped Vivian across the face. "Tell Wyatt to get back here immediately!"

Vivian was crying till she was out of breath. "Dad… I can't reach him…"

Mr. Saddler only grew more furious at her response. "So, he won't face the consequences of his actions. Now, he's hiding like a coward. Wasn't he acting all high and mighty before?"

There was nothing Vivian could say. All she could do was continue making calls.

Vivian called me just as I finished watching the video. "Have you seen the news, Lucian? Please help me. Please help Saddler Group…"

Back in the day, hearing Vivian cry like this would've softened my heart. But things were different now. I no longer loved her. I was also the one who orchestrated the entire situation.

Vivian had come to me, sounding all innocent. But all I said was, "I'm sorry, I can't help you. I have to consider Griffith Corporation's future as well."

Vivian choked on her sobs. She was unwilling to accept my answer. "I know I made a mistake, Lucian. I'll do anything you ask, okay? I'll break up with Wyatt tomorrow. Please, I'm begging you…"

I remained indifferent. "I'm having dinner with my girlfriend right now. I'll arrange for someone to deliver the divestment contract first thing tomorrow. This is my personal time. I suggest you stop harassing me, Ms. Saddler."

I thought that would be the end of it. I hadn't expected to see Vivian waiting anxiously in the lobby of my company the next morning when I arrived. The moment she saw me get out of the car, she rushed over and grabbed my arm.

I shook her off. "Ms. Saddler, please mind your behavior in public. If you have something to discuss, please come upstairs."

When she saw that I had relented, she timidly followed close behind me.