Vivian's lips tightened slightly. "No. Just..."
She looked up at Adrian. "Are you sure?"
Adrian's face was stern. "Are you doubting my subordinates?"
Vivian took a deep breath to calm herself. "Thank you for your help."
After hearing her thanks, Adrian's expression softened a bit. "What's your plan?"
Vivian quickly pulled herself together and answered calmly, "I haven't decided yet."
Adrian's eyes were deep as he looked at her intently. "I can help you."
Her response disappointed him. "You've already helped me a lot. I don't want to owe you any more favors."
Favors from men towards women often stemmed from either sympathy or desire.
Vivian didn't like either of them.
The former made her seem weak, and the latter was inherently sexist.
Vivian's firm rejection left Adrian with no
