Chapter 3

Vivienne is about five foot six, which isn't short for a woman, but she's still a head shorter than me.

However, at this moment, with her standing and me sitting, I'm actually looking up at her.

Coupled with her high-and-mighty attitude and that condescending, pitying tone...

For some reason, I'm reminded of a comment I once saw on a TV show.

"Why don't you kneel down? I've got a favor to ask."

Isn't Vivienne doing the same thing now?

She's the one asking me to invest in someone else, yet she's acting like I'm the one getting a good deal.

I laugh bitterly, repeating myself: "This is the board's decision. I can't change it."

Seeing that I'm not budging, her voice suddenly rises: "Archer, I've already agreed to consider it. Don't be so ungrateful."

"Don't you know that pushing me like this only makes me dislike you more?"

I rub my ears, tortured by her soprano pitch, my expression cold: "Forget it. You don't want to marry me, and I don't want to marry you. It's better if we go our separate ways."

"You don't want to marry me? Do you even believe that yourself?"

Vivienne snorts, her expression growing even more haughty: "Archer, I'm giving you a chance here. Miss this opportunity, and it won't be so simple to get me to agree later on."I didn't feel like arguing with her any further, so I pressed the button to call in my secretary.

"I have other matters to attend to. Please escort Miss Stone out."

Vivienne, of course, was reluctant to be dismissed like this, but she had no choice but to comply when the secretary mentioned calling security.

As the two were about to leave the office, I added one more thing.

"Spread the word: from now on, no one without a prior appointment or proper clearance is allowed to enter the company premises."

It was obvious who I meant by "unauthorized personnel."

"Well played, Archer. I hope you won't regret this later," Vivienne hissed through gritted teeth before clicking away in her high heels.

...

I hadn't expected that after meeting during the day, we'd cross paths again that night.

I hadn't eaten much at dinner due to a business engagement, so after returning to the hotel, I grabbed a bite to eat before heading upstairs.

When the elevator reached the floor with the lobby, I was about to step out when I saw Vivienne and Jaxon exiting another elevator, arm in arm.

They didn't notice me right away, so they spoke without restraint.

"Vivienne, how about you consider marrying me?"

"Jaxon, we agreed from the start that this was just a fling."Can't you see that you're carrying my child? Isn't that enough?"

"I've already had an abortion. I love Archer, and if I ever have children in the future, they'll only be his."

"He... about this matter..."

"Shut up. Don't think I don't know about your underhanded tricks. I'll let it slide this time, but if I catch you plotting again, don't blame me for turning on you."

Hearing Vivienne's tone change, Jaxon wisely changed the subject.

"Alright then... But what about the contract?"

Vivienne laughed nonchalantly, "Don't worry. No one knows him better than I do. He's so fond of me that if I just give him the cold shoulder for a few days, he'll come begging. When that happens, he'll sign whatever I put in front of him."

Vivienne spoke with certainty, but Jaxon's voice still held a note of unease.

"But many shareholders are already pressuring me. I'm under a lot of stress every day."

The next moment, I saw Vivienne press her body close to his, her voice soft, "Come on, that's why I'm here to help you relieve some of that stress!"

"Though I've just had surgery, so you'll need to be gentle tonight."

"I will be..."