Chapter 32: The Thrill of a Secret Affair

Vivian's phone buzzed incessantly, three or four times, before she finally pushed Daniel away, panting slightly.

"Wait, it's a call."

Daniel, still holding her close, reluctantly loosened his grip just enough to let her reach for the phone.

She took a deep breath to steady herself before answering.

Before she could speak, Emily's loud voice came through, "Vivi, did you fall into the toilet?"

Vivian shoved Daniel away, trying to create some space between them, while doing her best to sound calm. "No, I'm going to see the fireworks. With you two so lovey-dovey, I didn't want to stay there."

Daniel, still close behind her, leaned down and began kissing and nipping at her neck like a clingy puppy. The sensation was so distracting that Vivian could barely speak coherently.

"Mm…" she let out a soft sound, caught off guard by his actions.

Emily, suspicious, perked up. "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing, I tripped."

"Well, go watch the fireworks and get some rest afterward. Call me if you need anything." Emily was also planning to comfort her boyfriend later that evening. They had each booked a tent for the night, but would go their separate ways, as adults do, without needing to explain much.

After hanging up, Vivian felt Daniel's eyes on her, dark and intense.

She became uneasy under his gaze. "What's wrong?" she asked.

"Is it the girl you came with?"

Vivian nodded, "Yeah, my best friend."

"I know."

"Then why ask?" Vivian was starting to wonder if he had drunk fake alcohol tonight, asking pointless questions.

Daniel let out a sigh, his voice heavy with emotion, "Vivi, am I really that shameful?"

They had just shared a passionate kiss, yet here she was, lying about tripping.

The subconscious response couldn't be hidden.

Vivian didn't want to introduce him to the people in her life. That was what made Daniel uneasy.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!" Fireworks erupted in the distance, colorful bursts lighting up the night sky.

Vivian turned to look at the man, his hard silhouette illuminated by the explosion of colors.

Her chest tightened, aching with confusion, and she asked, "Daniel, what exactly do you like about me?"

The moon hid behind the brilliant fireworks, and Daniel's gaze darkened, his voice smooth and hypnotic. "What do you think, Vivi? What do you think I like about you?"

To him, it wasn't just liking her. In the countless dark days and nights she couldn't see, there was so much she didn't know.

Vivian shook her head, unable to come up with an answer.

"Maybe... you like how I look?"

Daniel was taken aback by her response, pinching her cheek. "Think again."

She was at a loss.

"What's so special about me that you treat me like this?" Vivian asked, half to him, half to herself.

"Daniel, about Jadeite Lane... thank you."

The words "thank you" felt so light, almost insubstantial.

A project worth billions, and yet thank you seemed too small. Her life wasn't even worth that much money.

Daniel's breath caught. "You know?"

Did her gentleness tonight stem solely from Jadeite Lane?

Vivian knew what he wanted to ask. He wanted to know if it was just because of Jadeite Lane, if that was all that kept her near.

But what if it wasn't him? What if it was someone else?

"Daniel, let's give this a try."

"Try what?" he asked, feigning ignorance.

Vivian tilted her head, watching the fireworks bloom above them. "Let's see if we can make it work."

"Why the sudden agreement?" Daniel was clearly fixated on this question.

Vivian, feeling a playful urge, teased him, "Maybe it's because you have money."

Daniel didn't miss a beat, lightly pinching her waist. "Be serious."

"Because... I won't tell you."

Before his next kiss could land, Vivian quickly surrendered.

From a distance, the noise of a group of university students was still loud and irritating. Vivian hooked her arms around Daniel's waist, looking at him intently. "Maybe it was the students who sent flowers that inspired me."

Daniel raised an eyebrow, listening intently.

"They're young, fearless, so even if I rejected them many times, they wouldn't care."

A smile flickered in her eyes as she continued, "But Daniel, you're different. You have money, you're handsome. You could have so many women to choose from. I'm sure many like you."

After she said this, she noticed Daniel's gaze on her had grown deeper.

"But you don't want them. You know my weaknesses, yet you never use them to control me. So, I want to give myself a chance..."

She leaned back into Daniel's embrace, letting his racing heartbeat vibrate through her ear. "Daniel, if you ever regret it, I'll let go..."

Before she could finish, her lips were once again consumed by his scorching kiss.

They kissed for what seemed like forever.

"Why haven't you introduced me to your friends?" Daniel asked, his voice tense with persistent curiosity.

Vivian knew this topic would be unavoidable.

"Jadeite Lane— you've invested so much, but it hasn't even fully launched yet. And with my father's issues, there are people watching. If they knew you were behind me, they'd hold back," she explained.

"Once Jadeite Lane's investment has paid off, I'll introduce you, okay?"

Her reasoning was clear. She didn't want her relationship to be tainted by complications.

When her father's failed investment had caused so much damage, Jadeite Lane had brought a group of people into her life, some of whom were still benefiting from her father's downfall.

Daniel had protected Jadeite Lane, and the less people knew about their connection, the more the enemies in the shadows would show themselves.

It was time to settle the score.

"If you think a secret affair is thrilling, then I guess I'll reluctantly go along with it."

Daniel, ever perceptive, understood the burden Vivian carried. He wanted her to say it herself.

"Thank you for your love, Mr. Smith."

Vivian leaned in and kissed him again.

Daniel pulled out his phone and held the QR code in front of her.

"Wait, do I need to pay you?"

Before she could joke and run away, Daniel caught her, holding her firmly. "As your boyfriend, I still don't have your contact information? That's not right, is it?"

"Right."

With a swift swipe, she quickly entered the details and sent them.

Pleased with herself, she asked, "Is this good enough?"

But before she could even finish, Daniel pressed her against the wall, kissing her fiercely. This time, it wasn't just a kiss— he bit her.

Vivian whimpered, pleading for mercy.

Looking at the woman in his arms, Daniel "kindly" explained, "You add me, and still call me 'dog,' and I haven't kissed you back yet? I'd be remiss if I didn't."

"You're such a bad guy!" she gasped.