Chapter 27 Silver Lining
Vivienne was overwhelmed.
Her father used to tell her that words were solid like the foundation of a house. One couldn’t take the words back as the house couldn’t be torn down by itself.
So, she had no choice but to let Frederick keep misunderstanding things for a while.
Guilt pricked at her as she glanced to the side.
The moment Sebastian saw Frederick holding the pomegranate, he instantly realized this was the neighbor Vivienne had described as love at first sight.
His eyes pierced through Frederick like a blade.
But Frederick carried himself with the quiet, refined grace of a true gentleman.
He met Sebastian’s stare calmly, even with a trace of a smile on his lips. He remained composed and elegant the whole time.
If Sebastian lost his temper now, he’d only come off looking like a ridiculous clown.
Sebastian quickly pulled himself together.
“Professor Kingsley, you must be a man of skill and taste. I believe you are smart enough to understand that if you miss someone’s early stage, you have no chance to reexperience it,” he said coolly.
Frederick didn’t stop smiling.
“True. Unlike Mr. Hartwell, I wasn’t lucky enough to meet Vivienne earlier. But we’ll be supporting each other for a long time
from here on.”
Vivienne shot Frederick a surprised look. He was really going all in with this act.
Sebastian slowly curled his hand into a fist. He forced himself to stay calm and replied slowly, “That’s absolutely not going to
happen.”
Frederick’s smile disappeared.
They both fell silent, sizing each other up without making any moves.
Only Sebastian could see it. He could see that gleam of mock hidden behind Frederick’s glasses.
Vivienne called the building manager and had Sebastian thrown out.
Before he left, Sebastian gave Frederick one last glare aggressively.
Once outside the building, he called Jonathan and asked him to look into Frederick Kingsley from St. Avalon Hospital as much
1915
as possible.
After Sebastian left, the building manager kept apologizing to Vivienne.
Vivienne seized the opportunity and said, “If this happens again, I’m not paying another dime of building fees.”
After all, every penny counts.
The manager quickly promised, “If it happens again, I’ll cover your fees for the next ten years!”
Vivienne couldn’t argue with that and ended the conversation.
When she looked up, her eyes met Frederick’s. And he clearly seemed amused.
She froze and tried to think about what to say.
“Professor Kingsley, about what you said just now…”
‘I’ll give it a thought,” he said with a perfectly straight face.
‘I meant, you don’t have to take it seriously!” Vivienne’s face flushed red.
Frederick chuckled, “Relax. I’m just teasing you.”
Vivienne finally let out a sigh of relief.
Then it hit her that she was still in the middle of a video call with the VP of Hexalith Semiconductor.
‘Oh no!” she yelled while dashing into her study.
Frederick followed her.
He could hear her apologizing and saying something like she was ready to take the position anytime.
When Vivienne came out, she looked a little disappointed.
Frederick then asked with concern in his eyes, “Are you going abroad?”
‘Yeah, that was the plan. But now, it’s not possible anymore. Thanks to that stupid Sebastian…”
She no longer had the energy to talk.
Frederick noticed her tired look and tried to comfort her.
“Don’t overthink it. Just take a break. There will always be a silver lining.”
Vivienne went to bed. She was lying on the bed and kept thinking about Frederick.
He was amazing to successfully encourage her with just a few simple words.
52.5
Queen
Silver lining!
Vivienne soon drifted off to sleep, full of hope.
When she opened her eyes again, her phone reminded her: 21 days left of the waiting period.
She placed her phone on the nightstand and went to wash up. After she came back, the phone was vibrating.
It was Annabelle Stein, the headhunter.
She was only 23 years old, optimistic, fearless, and always energetic.
Last year, she snuck into a Corelynx Technologies gala by pretending to be a reporter.
She even tried to poach her with a high salary without knowing that she was the president’s wife.
Vivienne had found her amusing and left her a number, but they hadn’t talked since.
Now desperate for a job, she picked up right away.
“Ms. Lancaster, it’s Anna! Remember me?” The voice on the other end was sweet and chirpy.
“Very clearly,” Vivienne replied.
“Wow, your memory’s unreal! Aren’t you the smartest person! Any chance you’ve got ten minutes to meet? There’s a role I’d love to run by you.”
Vivienne agreed to meet her at a café near Crownvale Estates.
Anna showed up in a high ponytail, black spaghetti strap dress, and combat boots. The look made her look sweet and edgy, ike a college girl.
she was being super friendly and even brought a little handmade gift.
Only after maxing out the charm did she dive into business.
‘Halecroft is acquiring Lunaris Technologies. Most divisions will keep operating as usual, but their chip production line needs ¡omeone with deep, specialized knowledge and the poise of a seasoned executive. You’re the perfect fit.”
Vivienne didn’t show any emotions.
‘Halecroft doesn’t mind my little history with trade secrets?”
She liked to lay things out clearly.
she didn’t want to start working and then have them throw that back in her face later. That would be so unfair.
Anna held up her fingers and said, “This offer comes directly from the client. I wouldn’t dare approach you otherwise. It’s near impossible to find top-tier talent like you who’s ready to start right away.”
Vivienne paused briefly, then agreed to visit the Lunaris production line and meet the new manager.
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I Walked Away Naked and Returned as His Queen
53.0%
At noon, Eliza came to bring Sebastian her home-cooked lunch.
Everyone in the executive office knew she was Sebastian’s “special woman”. She passed through easily.
She noticed the office door wasn’t shut tightly.
And she heard Jonathan’s voice very clearly.
“Vivienne’s neighbor is renting that place.”
“Renting?” Sebastian was surprised.
5 million was just a small number to him.
“Guess that professor is not as rich as he looks,” he thought to himself.
“Professor Kingsley was from Northgale. He got hurt pretty badly by someone from Mistveil Alley when he was 17. Then he went abroad and only came back once or twice a year. He also has a five-year-old daughter who goes to the same daycare as Lucy.”
“He has a daughter? Is he married?”
“Seems like it.”
Now Sebastian understood. Vivienne had lied last night on purpose to provoke him.
She wanted to make him jealous, to force him into making the first move and asking her to come home.
Jonathan’s phone rang.
It was from the housekeeper, and he put it on speakerphone.
‘Mrs. Hartwell and her friend are heading to Bellavista Couture Plaza this afternoon.”
Outside the door, Eliza’s eyes lit up.
she had just been wondering how to “accidentally” bump into Vivienne.
Now, the opportunity had fallen right into her lap.
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