Chapter 12 Strange Crash
Vivienne went upstairs to pack and caught sight of the wedding photo.
She was never much of a smiler. On the day it was taken, no matter how hard the photographer tried, her smile just didn’t feel right.
Sebastian joked, “Man, everyone else gets married to be happy. I married for my wife’s resting cold face. That’s a legit reason, right?”
And just like that, Vivienne laughed-genuine and sweet.
Back then, it never occurred to her that one day they would be like enemies, throwing cruel words at each other.
The contrast made her chest clench. She dropped to the floor, gasping.
Sweat beaded on her forehead.
t took a while before she could catch her breath.
Vivienne held onto the bed and got to her feet. Then she went to the lounge, grabbed a golf club, and smashed every framed vedding photo.
Next came Sebastian’s handwritten promise.
He had once knelt before her parents and said, “Please just trust me with Vivienne. I’ll love her, protect her for life. If I break hat, I deserve to lose everything I care about and never stand again.”
Jow it just made Vivienne laugh bitterly.
he tossed the torn letter into the air and dragged her suitcase downstairs.
onathan was already gone. Sebastian and Eliza were still in the main hall.
liza leaned into him. “Seb, I’ll never betray you, and I’ll never leave.” He squeezed her hand. “I know.”
He held her hand. “I know.”
Nearby, Ivy curled her lip in disgust. When she saw Vivienne coming down, she rushed over with an umbrella.
‘It’s raining,” Ivy said softly.
Before Vivienne could thank her, Sebastian cut in, his voice cold and sharp. “If you’re so proud, don’t use anything from my Family.”
‘Come on, Seb. What else is she gonna do? Even what she’s wearing now came from the Hartwell family,” Eliza remarked.
Vivienne sneered and then went berserk.
She grabbed her suitcase and threw it straight at Eliza.
Sebastian moved fast, pulling Eliza into his arms. The suitcase slammed into his shoulder, hit the floor, and burst open. Her clothes spilled out across the floor.
Vivienne’s eyes were so red that she could barely see.
“Oh, your family paid for all that. Great. Take it.”
Her hands went to the things she was wearing. “The earrings? Here. Necklace and watch, have it all.”
One by one, Vivienne hurled them at their faces.
‘You love picking up whatever people throw away, don’t you? Fine. Take it all.”
she yanked off her blouse. “Here. Take this too.”
Down to her bra, she reached for the strap.
Sebastian panicked and yelled, “Ivy, don’t just stand there. Go stop her!”
She’s insane doing this in front of the staff,” he thought.
3ut Vivienne continued, “I don’t give a damn if I walk out of here naked. At least I’m clean. Not like you two, pretending to be iblings out there, and all over each other behind closed doors…”
vy grabbed a beige embroidered dress from the floor and rushed to cover her.
Vivienne shoved her away and then recognized the dress. It was handmade by her mother. Her anger was gone in an instant.
he stood there, breathing hard.
This time, she let Ivy dress her.
Vivienne’s eyes clouded with pain. She tilted her head back, biting back tears. “I’ll remember today.”
Vivienne turned and stared at Sebastian and Eliza, her eyes bloodshot. “Just wait. I’m not done.”
Vivienne wandered the streets like a ghost.
When she looked up, her eyes stung from the mix of rain and mist.
Water slid down her cheeks, and she couldn’t even tell if it was the rain or tears anymore.
Then a matte-gray Panamera pulled up in front of her. The window rolled down, and Eliza was behind the wheel. Seeing that smug face made Vivienne feel sick.
“Vivienne, this car of yours drives like crap. I’m telling Seb to junk it.
Chapter 12 Strange Crash
wouldn’t go near.” Eliza scoffed.
With a twisted smile, Eliza backed the car up about ten meters and hit the gas.
By the time Vivienne realized what was coming, it was too late.
The wheels hit a puddle, sending dirty water flying. It hit her head to toe. Her dress was ruined, her hair dripping. She looked
ike a mess.
liza’s sharp laugh cut through the rain. “Vivienne, you look like a stray dog.”
Eliza!” Vivienne screamed through clenched teeth.
‘hunder cracked overhead like it was siding with her rage.
he ran after Eliza’s car, full of rage, ready to rip her apart.
‘hen another car pulled up.
elina jumped out and pulled her in a tight hug.
I saw the whole thing. Vivi, calm down. She won’t get away with this, I promise. But you’ve got to hold it together, okay?” Celina said softly.
omething flickered in Vivienne’s eyes, like she was coming back to herself.
When she saw Celina’s worried face, the hurt took over the anger. She broke down and finally started crying.
Cece, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have married Sebastian. I should’ve left Northgale at all. If I had taken Mom and Dad with me, hey’d still be alive. I ruined everything.”
‘ears slipped down Celina’s face. “No, you didn’t ruin anything. None of this is on you. They’re the ones to blame, not you. onathan’s not home right now. Come back with me, please? I even learned how to cook Rivemont-style for you.”
Dazed, she looked at Celina. Then, slowly, she wiped her tears and pulled herself together.
Celina helped her into the car.
The driver, Philip Berg, had just started the car when they heard a bang from behind. A custom armored Maybach had lightly apped it.
A custom armored Maybach had gently bumped it.
Both Vivienne and Celina felt, but they didn’t bother to look.
Philip stepped out with an umbrella.
There were fresh scratches on the BMW.
He was just about to lay into whoever did it, already cursing in his head.
The Maybach’s window slid down.
Philip held back when he saw the man.
“Seriously? A two-million-dollar car like this, and no chauffeur? He’s young, but the way he acts… He probably owns it,” Philip thought in surprise.
The man held out a bank card.
“Let’s keep this quiet. No password. Just use it and fix the car. Whatever’s left, send it to Ms. Lancaster, yeah?” he said coolly
His composure and confident look felt like he was showing Philip how to handle it right.
But the look he gave Philip was chilling.
It reminded him of a snake’s eyes and the way it hunted-hidden and creeping in slow for the kill.
Philip swallowed hard and hurried back into the BMW with the card.
