Chapter 25: Be His Mistress? Dream On!

Daniel was left feeling empty.

His eyes dropped, and the disappointment in his heart couldn't be hidden.

Vivian's chest felt tight, and her mind was a whirlwind.

She just wanted to leave this place, not caring anymore.

After several hours of intense hosting in the afternoon, mixed with the emotional turmoil she'd been through, her stomach started to ache again.

Every time her period came, the pain was unbearable, and it seemed endless. It had been dragging on for days, with no sign of stopping.

Warmth spread lower, and she pressed her hand against her abdomen, trying to walk quickly, struggling to catch her breath.

But suddenly, her legs buckled, and she collapsed to the floor.

Daniel's eyes widened, and he rushed forward to catch her, holding her up with ease. "Be careful!"

Vivian's temper flared, and she didn't want to accept his help.

Just moments ago, during the live stream, he had spoken so earnestly about having someone he liked, and now he was here, interfering with her. What was he trying to do?

All she felt was frustration. Why did she always feel like a fool in front of him?

"Let go of me!"

Her brows furrowed, her face scrunched with discomfort as she gasped for air. She was obviously in intense pain.

Seeing her body slumped, Daniel crouched down, lifting her up in his arms without hesitation.

Vivian's high heels fell off with the motion as he lifted her off the ground. In a daze, she instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck to steady herself.

'Thud, thud' — the sound of her heels hitting the floor drew some attention.

Vivian suddenly snapped back to reality.

"Daniel, put me down!" she cried, squirming and hitting at him.

Just earlier, he was talking about having someone he liked and trying to pursue her. Now he was holding her like this, making it impossible for her to escape. What was he trying to turn her into?!

Daniel ignored her protests, holding her tighter, not even bothering with the fallen shoes, as he made his way forward.

He was so tall, and she felt like she was completely in his grip, unable to break free. Her body pressed against his chest as he whispered in her ear, "If you want to make this public now, go ahead and shout."

"What?" she asked, confused.

Daniel didn't say another word. He simply shot her a look before continuing to walk with calm determination.

As they neared the dining time, the Rosewood Hotel's restaurants were filling up. Six elevators were crowded with people, busy during peak hours.

But Daniel didn't take the exclusive elevator. He pressed a button for one of the public elevators, and the door opened right away.

Carrying her, the people in the elevator quickly moved back, making space for them.

Vivian immediately realized he was doing this on purpose.

Had they been in a private elevator, she would have made a scene and insisted on getting off. But in the public elevator, she couldn't act recklessly, especially in such a disheveled state. If anyone saw her, rumors would spread like wildfire.

"Is it still hurting?" Daniel's voice, as calm as ever, broke through her thoughts.

Vivian could feel the other passengers in the elevator holding their breath, clearly eavesdropping on their conversation.

Thankfully, her hair was down today, and it helped cover her flushed face.

She didn't want to engage with him, but it was clear that Daniel wasn't giving up. He asked again, "If it hurts this much, should we go to the hospital?"

The tension was thick in the elevator, and she could tell the people around them were watching closely, their attention fully on them.

Vivian realized that if she didn't answer him, Daniel would keep asking.

She felt his chest shift slightly, and before he could speak again, she hurriedly responded, her voice muffled, "It's not hurting as much anymore."

Her head stayed down, the words barely a whisper.

Daniel smiled slightly, clearly amused by her response.

By the time she realized what was happening, she found herself sitting in the car, still in his arms.

Daniel had removed his expensive suit jacket and placed it on the passenger seat, using it as a cushion for her.

"There aren't any sanitary pads in the car, only at home. Just bear with it for now," Daniel said, securing her seatbelt before starting the car toward Xi Mansion.

He had referred to his place as "home."

Normally, Vivian wouldn't have thought much about it, but the way he said it today made her feel a certain tenderness in his words.

But then, he had just said in the live stream that he had someone he liked.

Vivian didn't know what was happening to her, but she couldn't help feeling incredibly sensitive about it. Every word Daniel spoke felt like it was being dissected in her mind.

Earlier, she had wanted to reject him, but then her eyes had caught the dark red stain on his suit.

Maybe it was from when he had carried her.

How embarrassing!

"Fine, let's go. It's better to have this conversation and clear things up."

On the way back, Daniel received a call from Lawrence.

He immediately hit the speakerphone.

Vivian, still uncomfortable, didn't want to talk to Daniel, so she closed her eyes and pretended to rest.

"Dan, why aren't you at the celebration dinner? What's keeping you busy?"

"Heading home," Daniel replied.

Lawrence paused, clearly taken aback. "Alone?"

Daniel glanced at Vivian, who was sitting next to him, her eyelashes fluttering.

His hand tightened on the steering wheel, "Not alone."

Lawrence, ever sharp, quickly understood and chuckled. "Don't worry, Dan. No one in Lumina can outdrink me. Take care on the road."

The double meaning was clear.

Before Daniel could respond, Lawrence hung up the phone quickly.

Back in the private room, Lawrence looked at the people who were drunk and leaning against each other, then put his phone back in his pocket, shaking his head with a slight smile. "Looks like it's still all on me. Without me, this family would fall apart."

The scene felt strangely familiar—just like when he had come last time.

It was as if Vivian had never made a mess of the place. The expensive mattress had been replaced with a new one, and everything was in its usual place.

Seeing her gaze lingering on the bed, Daniel spoke casually, "I replaced it with a waterproof one."

Vivian's face turned red with embarrassment as she recalled what happened last time, but she didn't say anything.

"Go change, and then we'll have dinner."

His tone was so natural, as if they had been together for a long time—like an old married couple.

Daniel brought two bowls of noodles, and the one in front of her had an egg on top.

Vivian wasn't there for the food, though. She didn't touch her chopsticks. "Daniel, let's cut to the chase."

"You speak."

It was time for the talk.

Vivian clenched her fists. "Do you want me to be your mistress?"

She had been wanting to ask him this question for a while now.

She couldn't control Daniel's thoughts, but she could control her own.

"I was pushed to the brink that year, almost resorting to begging for food. Never did I think about selling my body, relying on a man to live a comfortable life. I never would have, and I never will."

"So, Daniel, no matter what your purpose is, whether you're trying to get back at me or using me as a pawn, I won't sell myself out."

Be his mistress? Dream on!

She had thought about this for the past few days. Every time she faced difficulties, Daniel would step in to help. No questions asked, no strings attached.

He was almost indulgent with her.