“What?!”
Vivienne’s pupils contracted sharply, and the bag in her hand nearly slipped. She stared at Broad in disbelief, her breath catching in her throat.
Broad… was about to lose his decision-making power?!
Her fingertips trembled slightly, and a chill climbed up her spine, spreading through her entire body. She had invested a significant amount of money in Broad’s company-without her father’s knowledge!
If Broad truly lost control of the company, she wouldn’t just lose him; she would also face catastrophic financial ruin. How could she possibly face her stern and demanding father then?
She had never imagined that everything she had painstakingly built could collapse so easily.
Vivienne’s hesitant gaze shifted to Broad, her throat dry as she asked uncertainly, “This isn’t true, right? You’ve done so much for the company. How could the board-”
“Enough!”
Broad’s voice was low and dangerous. He didn’t shout, but the weight of his tone was more oppressive than any roar.
“Vivienne, you’d better pray I still have a chance to fix this.”
The next moment, Broad impatiently looked away, his long strides carrying him out of the room.
Outside, he dialed his secretary, Lane. “I remember hearing that Westbrook Group is looking for a new partner. Get me a meeting with Simba immediately. I need to see him.”
Inside, Vivienne stood frozen, her back drenched in cold sweat. She understood that she had to act now if she wanted to salvage the enormous losses she had caused.
Her trembling fingers fumbled in her bag until she pulled out her phone. She opened Tony’s profile.
As a top influencer, Tony frequently shared his stories and travel updates online.
Tony had just posted a new update, tagging his location at a high-end restaurant not far away.
Without a second thought, Vivienne grabbed her bag and rushed out. She no longer cared about appearances-she had to find Tony and beg him to reshoot the advertisement.
—
On the outdoor terrace of the upscale restaurant, Tony leaned lazily against the railing, a glass of whiskey in hand, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.
He was on his phone, seemingly chatting with someone.
Vivienne, heels clicking against the floor, hurried into the restaurant. From a distance, she spotted Tony’s figure. Her heartbeat quickened. Keeping her steps light, she hid behind a marble pillar, holding her breath to catch his conversation.
“Miranda, you’ll love this,” Tony said, his tone brimming with smugness. “I just made that Vivienne woman suffer.”
The mention of Miranda’s name froze Vivienne in place. Her body stiffened slightly.
Miranda?
Instinctively, she leaned forward, straining to hear more.
Tony’s voice dripped with unrestrained glee. “Haha, Miranda, you should’ve seen it. That woman tripped and fell flat on her face in front of everyone. It was priceless!”
Vivienne’s breath hitched, her fingers gripping the marble so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Her chest felt heavy, as if something was lodged there, suffocating her.
Miranda. It was always her.
Vivienne’s chest heaved violently as she stared at Tony’s back, a storm of anger and jealousy raging within her.
What was so special about that woman?!
Why did every man flock to her?!
Broad had once belonged to her. Eric had been captivated by her. And now, even Tony-someone like him-was humiliating her just to please Miranda.
Despair washed over Vivienne. She knew there was no hope of winning Tony over now. Any further attempts would only lead to more humiliation.
“Damn it…” Vivienne cursed under her breath, her voice trembling with suppressed fury.
“What does Miranda have that I don’t?”
A whirlwind of thoughts raced through her mind. For a fleeting moment, she wanted nothing more than to kill Miranda with her own hands. But she knew Miranda was always on guard against her. Besides, she wasn’t capable of murder.
“There has to be another way…” she muttered through gritted teeth, her eyes growing colder.
“I have to make her feel the pain of loss too!”
Suddenly, she remembered the time at the cafe when she had casually mentioned the name Winnie. Miranda had instantly exploded with rage, even pouring coffee over her head.
Winnie. That name was like a key, unlocking the softest, most vulnerable part of Miranda’s heart.
“If something were to happen to Winnie…” Vivienne’s lips curved into a chilling smile. “Miranda would completely fall apart!”
Miranda, you brought this on yourself.
A dark plan of revenge began to take shape in Vivienne’s mind.
She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. Adjusting her expression, she stood up straight and approached Tony.
“Tony!” she called out, her voice tinged with surprise. “What a coincidence! I didn’t expect to run into you here.”
Tony ended his call, his smile vanishing instantly, replaced with an icy expression. “We just wrapped up an unpleasant collaboration, and now you’re here. Miss Vivienne, are you stalking me?”
Vivienne’s smile faltered for a moment but quickly recovered. She laughed lightly and explained, “Oh, don’t joke, Tony. I just happen to have a meeting nearby.”
She sat down across from him, feigning a helpless sigh.
“About today’s shoot… I’m really sorry. You know how chaotic it gets with so many people on set. Misunderstandings are bound to happen.”
Tony remained silent, raising his glass for a sip as a mocking glint flickered in his eyes. He was clearly waiting for her next move.
Vivienne felt the tension but maintained her forced smile. “By the way, I just overheard… were you talking to Miranda?”
Feigning surprise, she exaggerated her tone. “Oh my, you know her too?”
“What are you trying to say?” Tony frowned, growing impatient with her antics.
Vivienne smiled, her tone light. “You might not know this, but I’m Broad’s girlfriend. I’m also about to become Winnie’s stepmother.”
“And?” Tony’s eyes narrowed, suspicion flashing across his face.
Sensing his wariness, Vivienne quickly explained, “Don’t get me wrong. I mean no harm. Since you’re close to Miranda, I thought you might know more about Winnie’s likes and dislikes. Children can be sensitive, and I’d like to prepare myself to connect with her better.”
Tony, despite his dislike for Vivienne, didn’t see any harm in her question. He answered casually, “Oh, Winnie loves skiing. Miranda often takes her to the slopes.”
Vivienne’s heart leaped with joy, though she kept her expression neutral. “That’s wonderful! I love skiing too. Do you know which resort she prefers?”
“Blue Moon Valley,” Tony replied, taking another sip of his drink. “Every Friday evening, Winnie trains there. The resort even closes off a private section for her.”
Vivienne’s lips curled slightly, her mind racing with possibilities. She couldn’t believe how easily she had obtained Winnie’s schedule.
Feigning gratitude, she said, “Thank you so much, Tony!”
Tony glanced at his watch. “If there’s nothing else, you can leave now.”
Vivienne stood up without hesitation. She didn’t mind his coldness. “Thanks again, Tony. I’ll be off then!”
As she turned away, the smile on her face faded, replaced by a sinister expression.
“Miranda, you’ll regret crossing me,” she muttered under her breath.