Vivian immediately tilted her head towards him, smoothing her expression into one of feigned innocence.
"Ethan, darling," she said, her voice sickly sweet, "I was just having a conversation with your… secretary. Clearing up some misunderstandings."
"Misunderstandings?" Ethan repeated, his tone dripping with sarcasm as he stepped closer. "By offering her money to quit her job?"
Vivian's composure cracked...
"I was only trying to help you!" she snapped, her voice rising. "You're the CEO of Grayson Enterprises, and you don't need unnecessary scandals tarnishing your reputation. I was just protecting your image."
After her response, Ethan let out a bitter laugh.
"Protecting my image? By disrespecting Charlotte? By assuming you have any right to meddle in my decisions?"
He leaned forward, his hands gripping the back of the chair across from Vivian.
"Who gave you the right to interfere in my life?"