Power Plays With My Love

Chapter 6 The Adult World

Her mother, Caroline, was once a much-admired socialite and the epitome of elegance. The sudden downfall of their family had already hurt her deeply. Over the years, Caroline had finally adapted to a simpler life and found a new social circle. Now, Henry and Vivian's wedding was Caroline's ticket to social validation among her new friends, as Henry was a deputy general manager of a major company.

Vivian feared that if Caroline were suddenly told that the wedding was off, she wouldn't be able to handle it.

This concern was why she hadn't told Caroline about her breakup with Henry.

But now, the situation had become even more complicated. If Henry turned around and accused her of cheating on him with a wealthy man, the gossip and finger-pointing would devastate Caroline.

Thinking of this made Vivian's heart race with anxiety.

First, Henry had threatened her job, and now he was threatening her family. How had she not noticed before how repulsive Henry was? He was like a piece of gum stuck to her shoe, disgusting and impossible to get rid of.

Since she couldn't shake him off, she might as well use him.

But she knew better than to let a blackmailer get a taste of success, or they would only come back for more.

So, she took a deep breath to calm herself and said with deliberate indifference, "Mind your own business. I have work to do. If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up."

She was about to hang up when Henry's attitude changed completely.

He forgot all his previous sneers and quickly said, "Sweetheart, don't hang up. I called to tell you that I plan to explain to your mother that we're postponing the wedding because I'm going abroad for further studies. After some time, you can tell her we broke up because of the long distance... And I can help smooth things over at your office too."

Henry spoke quickly and, seeing that Vivian hadn't hung up, knew he had struck a chord. He continued, "We've both worked hard to get where we are. If you attend a dinner with me and show everyone that we're still close, it will stop the rumors about you cheating or hooking up with a rich guy."

His suggestion wasn't the best solution, but it was the simplest and quickest fix for her current predicament.

Vivian thought it over and sighed. "Send me the address."

She had to admit that Henry had a cunning side to him—without connections or background, he had still managed to climb to his current position.

Vivian's weak spot was Caroline, and Henry had hit it perfectly.

For one, she didn't want Caroline to worry about her. For two, she needed this job to pay off debts and ensure Caroline's peace of mind.

Henry replied with a smile, "Sure, but unblock me first."

Vivian didn't respond, simply hanging up the phone.

She then removed Henry from her blacklist.

He had been waiting. As soon as she did, he sent over the address.

Vivian glanced at the address, pocketed her phone, and took a sip of water, staring out the floor-to-ceiling window.

The adult world was like that.

She felt disgusted but had to tolerate it.

At 7 PM, Vivian sent her review to Rolando's email. After touching up her makeup, she was ready to leave, but the folder with the underwear still sat in her drawer.

After a busy day, the sight of it no longer stirred any emotion. Calmly, she tossed it in the trash bin downstairs before driving to the hotel Henry had specified.

Even though it was a dinner event, it felt more exhausting than work.

Vivian took a deep breath in the elevator, preparing to play the role of "Henry's fiancée." Just as the doors were closing, they opened again.

Adrian walked in with a balding executive. His shirt was unbuttoned at the collar, and he had his suit jacket draped over his arm. With his striking looks, tall frame, and glimpses of muscle, he was hard to ignore. The executive continued their earlier conversation with enthusiasm.

"As I was saying, the girls there know all the tricks in bed. If you're interested..."

Adrian, initially indifferent, suddenly perked up when he saw Vivian.

"So, you were saying they're pretty skilled with their tongues?"

"Yes, they can make you rock hard and then have you begging for mercy. They can perform anywhere—in hotels, elevators, even outdoors... Hey, weren't you just not interested?"

"I'm not interested in who you're talking about. But if there's a beauty who enjoys car rides and is willing to join me in these activities, then I'm game."

Vivian stood behind them, feeling like Adrian was speaking to her. Yet, when he entered the elevator, he ignored her as if she weren't even there. She silently urged the elevator to move faster, desperate to escape the confined space.

Adrian watched Vivian's every expression in the reflective metal panel, a smug look in his eyes. Finally, after a few more lewd comments from the balding man, the elevator doors opened. Vivian breathed a sigh of relief and followed Adrian out.

Just as they stepped out of the elevator, she noticed Henry and a colleague waiting nearby.

She played along with her fake relationship with Henry, putting on a sweet act. Adrian walked a few steps ahead and then suddenly stopped, his previously smug expression now icy.

The sudden coldness in Adrian's eyes startled the balding man, who thought he might have said something wrong. After playing the part of the sweet girlfriend, Vivian, ready to head to their box, walked right into Adrian's intense gaze.

She approached him, nodding slightly, acknowledging his presence. "Mr. Spencer."

Adrian responded with a smile and then looked at Henry, standing beside her, and snorted. "Henry Jones?"