Chapter 24
“It’s not your fault!”
Her godmother’s gaze was unwavering.
“If you want to blame someone, blame those heartless monsters who think having a bit of money and power means they
can trample over lives like weeds!”
It was her godmother who had introduced her to Northon Shea, someone who shared the same scars.
She was the one who pulled the strings behind it all-bribing the housekeeper to spike Diana Schuyler’s food with
hallucinogens, coaxing her into prodding at the darkness Diana had tried to bury, hiring fake accounts to steer public
opinion after the scandal broke…
She once said:
“If Charles won’t hand you justice, then carve it out yourself.”
And the day that ivory tower crumbled-it was coming fast.
In the days that followed, public outrage demanding Diana’s death penalty only grew stronger.
Charles’s company took the biggest blow.
His social media accounts were flooded with furious comments:
“Covering for a murderer? Why don’t you go die with that witch too?”
“No way Diana acted alone. You think people sharing a bed would be that different?”
“Boycott Foster Corp. Boycott the upper Elites. It starts with you and me!”
And yet-Charles didn’t seem to care.
He blew off board meetings, ignored calls from partners, and even his assistant Mr. Chambers had no idea what he was
up to.
Eventually, under mounting pressure from the shareholders, Mr. Chambers intercepted him in the underground parking
lot.
He stood firm in front of the car door, his voice laced with panic.
“Mr. Foster, if you keep turning a blind eye, the company’s going down!”
“It’s just a company. It’s not as important as Vivian.”
Charles’ face darkened, and there was a trace of restrained fury in his voice.
“If you want to keep your job, move.”
But Mr. Chambers didn’t budge.
“Please be rational! Sir… Ms. Bennett already has a new boyfriend. This company is your life’s work! You can’t torch
everything you’ve built just because she’s gone!”
Charles’ eyes softened, something rare and distant flickering in his expression.
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He lowered his head, voice hoarse.
“If it weren’t for Vivian… I would’ve given up on myself six years ago.”
Mr. Chambers stood stunned.
“But sir… you’re divorced…”
“Shut up. Say another word and I swear I’ll kill you.”
Charles looked up suddenly, and Mr. Chambers froze in shock.
This wasn’t the man he knew. The poised, untouchable executive was gone. What stood before him now was a pale,
bloodshot wreck-someone shattered and ruined, an idol toppled and left in pieces at the foot of his own pedestal.
Charles didn’t even seem to notice.
His Adam’s apple bobbed faintly as he fixated on the wedding band still wrapped around his ring finger.
His voice was quiet, almost dreamy, but tinged with a smile.
“She loves me. That man? Just a needle she’s pressing into my skin.”
“I’ll win her back. Doesn’t matter if it takes a day… or ten years.”
“As for the company-whatever. Without Vivian by my side, what’s the point of success or glory?”
As the car pulled away, Mr. Chambers remained standing in place, sighing helplessly.
There was one thing he didn’t dare say aloud, even though it had echoed in his mind for a long time:
“Mr. Foster… if you never knew how to cherish her, how could you ever deserve her?”
Elsewhere, in a secluded estate on the outskirts of Ridgewood, Vivian Bennett was tying up her long hair, signing off on a
mountain of delivered packages stacked outside the door.
She handed the signed slip back to the courier.
“No name on these deliveries-any idea who sent them?”
The deliveryman gave a knowing smile.
“You’ll know soon enough.”
Right then, her phone rang. She pressed the answer key, and a familiar voice came through the speaker.
“Vivian, do you like the gift I sent you?”
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Chapte
The smile in Vivian’s eyes vanished instantly, replaced by a coldness sharp enough to cut glass.
“Charles Foster, what the hell are you trying to do?”
Footsteps sounded behind her. Vivian turned-
And collided with Charles’ chest.
Just like the first time they’d met.
Only this time, he was holding a bouquet of roses in his arms-
Champagne roses. Her favorite.
He offered a silent smile and spoke in a gentle voice,
“Vivian, half the roses in the garden have withered. Come home with me-I’ll plant you bigger, fresher ones.
Vivian met his gaze, gave a low, contemptuous laugh-and knocked the bouquet from his hands in one sharp motion.
Delicate petals scattered across the ground, reflecting in Charles’ dimmed eyes.
“You know why they withered?”
Her voice cut deep, each word laced with mockery like a blade twisting in his chest.
“You shoved me into that flower bed yourself-for your precious ex-wife and her darling son. Your bodyguards crushed half the garden just to drag me into that lockdown room.”
“These flowers were silent witnesses to your hypocrisy-how you fawned over Diana while feeding me lies about love. And now you bring them to me? What, to make me sick?”
A heavy, bruising ache thudded through Charles’ chest.
He shut his eyes, his brows furrowed tight.
A moment later, he collected himself and forced a calm expression.
“Alright, you don’t like the flowers. Maybe you’ll like the gifts.”
Vivian scoffed.
“God, Charles, could you sink any lower? I don’t need your gifts.”
He swallowed hard and gently placed a small box cutter into her hand.
“Just one look. Please.”
She opened the first box.
Inside lay a pair of ultra-rare black diamond earrings-global limited edition, worth millions.
Charles spoke softly,
“Vivian, I thought black suits you-it’s mysterious… and beautiful.”.
She lifted an eyebrow with a half-smile.
