Ch. 201..210
Chapter 201
The crowd couldn’t believe their eyes as they stared at the auction item. It was the most ridiculous item
ever donated in the history of the charity auction.
Mrs. Norton is certainly someone that’s really strange!
Fabian was extremely anxious. What am I going to do? Whose idea of a prank is this? Vivian would
definitely not put up something like that for the auction. Could it be Ashley? Glancing towards her from
the corner of his eye, Fabian could see Ashley’s smug expression which all but confirmed his
suspicions.
Ashley was obviously gloating since her scheme had succeeded.
Vivian, let me see how you’re going to salvage your reputation in front of the city’s socialites.
A daughter borne of a despicable mother doesn’t deserve to fight over a man with me! I’m going to let
you have a taste of what it feels like to be disgraced! After all, these people are a tough crowd. you’re
about to be swarmed by a pack of bloodthirsty hyenas! Hmph!
“My God! What is this?” One of the attendees suddenly asked. “It’s so ugly!”
“How can one be so insincere by sending a soiled item to a charity auction?”
“Haha, it must be someone that has no exposure to the world at all.”
The crowd couldn’t believe their eyes when they saw that the auction item contributed by the wife of the
CEO of the renowned Finnor Group of Sunshine City turned out to be a worn-out amulet. Furthermore,
it looked so old with its damaged sides.
It is an obvious sign of insincerity on her part. Donating a worn-out amulet for the auction makes her
look stingy. Didn’t she consider the fact that she would disgrace Mr. Norton?
Knowing that it was Vivian who donated such an item, the crowd turned to look at her in disgust.
However, Vivian didn’t have time to care about what others thought of her.
The amulet was a gift from her mother that symbolized her love for Vivian. Therefore, she wasn’t going
to let anyone else buy it at the auction.
Grabbing Finnick’s arm, she pleaded, “What are we going to do? This… I can’t lose this. It’s a gift from
my Mom and it definitely can’t be auctioned to someone else!”
Finnick was also puzzled as to how the diamond necklace was switched with the amulet.
Whoever it was, it was obvious they were trying to sabotage both himself and Vivian. That person could
only either be Yasmin or Ashley.
Yasmin definitely wouldn’t have the guts to do this. As for Fabian, he can be ruled out due to his
feelings for Vivian.
Finnick was furious at the fact that someone dared to scheme against Vivian behind his back.
When Ashley, who was sitting a few rows in front of Vivian, turned around with a smug expression on
her face, Vivian knew immediately that her sister was the culprit. She must have switched the items on
purpose just to humiliate me.
She’s the only person who knows that I always carry the amulet with me wherever I go and how much
it means to me.
Vivian stared daggers back at Ashley. You’ve gone overboard this time!
As mocking laughs rang throughout the auction house, everyone started gossiping.
“Isn’t this just a worn-out amulet?”
“How can Finnick’s wife do something like that. If she isn’t keen, she shouldn’t have come at all. No
one forced her anyway. She is reluctant to part with her possessions and yet wants to maintain her
reputation. This is the first time I see someone as selfish as this!”
“I heard she is just an editor for a magazine and doesn’t come from an illustrious family. Hence, I’m
afraid she hasn’t had much exposure and just donated something without much thought.”
“Why is she even here then? Haha, what a disgrace.”
“This is the first time I see someone act this way at an auction.”
Although everyone was muttering softly, the venue wasn’t very big. As such, Vivian could clearly hear
everything that was said.
Despite that, there was no way she could defend herself from their accusations. All she could do was
furrow her eyebrows while biting the bottom of her lip anxiously.
“I heard she doesn’t come from a rich family so I guess she’s kind of a Cinderella. Besides, I can’t
fathom what the CEO of Finnor Group sees in her anyway.”
“She should have been better off being a nobody if she doesn’t even know how to carry herself in such
events. To think that she is treating the charity auction the same as a public market. Hmph!”
Ashley was filled with delight when she heard the crowd’s comments. Oh Vivian, seems like your
reputation is in tatters now. Let’s see how you get out of this!
Chapter 202
Doesn’t Finnick always come to your rescue? Given the expression on his face now, it’s obvious that
he too feels disgraced. He might have looked past the photo incident, but now that the Finnor Group is
involved, can he still bear to tolerate the humiliation you have brought him?
Turning to look at Vivian and Finnick, Benedict smirked to himself. So, it seems that someone else
hates them both and is sabotaging them.
Haha, Finnick, let me see how you’re going to protect your newly wedded wife now.
At that moment, all Vivian wanted was for the ground to open up and swallow her whole. However, she
knew that getting back the amulet her mother gave her took priority over everything else.
Although it was just an ordinary amulet, it represented all her mother’s hopes and dreams for her.
Her mother had painstakingly brought her up by herself. The reason she got the amulet for Vivian was
so that it could keep her safe and healthy. Furthermore, her mother wanted her to find happiness, just
like any other girl. Her only wish was for Vivian to grow up happy and without any worries.
When her mother heard a rumor that a particular temple’s amulet was known to be effective, she drove
a long way to get it. At that time, Vivian was still in university.
Her mother had made a long and arduous pilgrimage up a huge flight of stairs just to obtain the amulet.
Vivian didn’t know how far her mother had to walk to get it. All she told Vivian was that it was a long
journey and that the more sincerity she demonstrated, the more likely her wish would come true.
Everything her mother did was so that Vivian would always find happiness…
We came into this world empty-handed. The debt of gratitude we owe our mothers can never be repaid
in our lifetimes. That thought alone caused Vivian’s anxiety to intensify. She knew she must get the
amulet back. I must not let it be auctioned to someone else!
Meanwhile, the host began to enforce order so as to keep the angry crowd in check.
“Settle down everyone and please be quiet. Quiet, please… For this auction, there are no restrictions
on the items that can be donated because everything will be sold. As the proceeds of the auction will
be going to charity, it doesn’t matter what the item is, the value of said items will still greatly exceeds
their original monetary value. With that, let us begin the auction now!”
As the auction had never put on the block something as cheap as the amulet, everyone was stumped
as to how they should start the bid.
After a quick discussion with the auction house, the host declared, “As the wishes contained within the
amulet are priceless, you are to bid whatever amount you want.”
Who will want to spend money on a worn-out amulet? Isn’t it no different from throwing money into the
ocean? Furthermore, one may even be thought of as being an idiot. Nevertheless, it is still an item
donated by Mr. Norton’s wife, there may be those who will start bidding just to curry favor with Mr.
Norton himself.
Just then, someone bid ten thousand which was raised to fifty thousand. Then, it was raised again to
eighty thousand…
When Vivian heard the bids gradually increasing, she clenched her fist anxiously. What should I do?
What if someone else wins the bid? She looked towards Finnick helplessly.
When Finnick saw how worried she was, he reached out and held her hand. He reassured her softly,
“Don’t worry. I will definitely keep the amulet safe and not allow it to be sold to someone else.”
Just as he spoke, Finnick suddenly raised his bid paddle and called out, “One million!”
Silence fell upon the room.
One million!
Can a worn-out amulet be worth one million? Is this some kind of joke? That shabby thing’s not even
worth a hundred!
One million… My god, Mr. Norton’s bid is just crazy!
Everyone wondered the same thing, is Finnick out of his mind? He had just bid for his ex-girlfriend’s
diamond pen. And now he is paying a ridiculous amount of money for his wife’s amulet. Does he have
nowhere else to spend his money?
Even Vivian was dumbfounded. She wanted to stop him but Finnick held onto her hand and reassured
her that there was nothing to be worried about.
Everyone understood what Finnick was trying to do, just that they didn’t dare to gossip in front of him.
By then, the crowd’s opinion of Vivian started to shift. Now, they were filled with envy instead. She is so
lucky to have Finnick love and pamper her to such an extent.
Even Vivian didn’t expect Finnick to bid such a high price from the get-go. I guess he’s really worried
that it would be sold to someone else… Ah, such is the ways of a wealthy man.
Chapter 203
The notion of offering one million for a worn-out amulet was really ridiculous.
As such, the crowd reached a unanimous agreement, with such a high price, who in their right mind
would compete for it? Wouldn’t it just make us look like a fool? I guess money does make one act
capriciously.
Before Vivian could thank Finnick, Fabian came out of nowhere.
He shouted, “One point one million!”
The crowd gasped when they realized another idiot had joined the fray. My God! What’s going on? The
fact that an amulet was donated to be auctioned off was rare enough. Now, there are people actually
fighting for it?
Is the amulet really that effective? The crowd was puzzled as they wondered why two members of the
Norton family were fighting over an ordinary-looking amulet.
Fabian, what the hell are you trying to do? Vivian couldn’t help but admonish him in her heart before
looking towards Finnick.
Will he raise the bid? Or, will he give up? She secretly hoped that Finnick wouldn’t give up, just like how
he didn’t let go of the diamond pen. At least it would prove to her that she was equally important to him
as Evelyn was.
Finnick’s expression remained exceptionally calm as he focused his attention on the amulet. In the next
moment, he raised his paddle.
“One point two million!”
“One point three million!” Fabian countered. The amulet is extremely important to Vivian. I must protect
and help her. Fabian knew that it was the only way he could make it up to her.
“One point four million!”
“One point five!”
Both men continued to outbid each other.
Everyone else at the auction had been relegated to being a spectator to watch the two of them tussle it
out.
It’s a clash of giants! The Norton family does live up to their reputation. If I knew this was going to
happen, I would have brought all my amulets from home. I didn’t expect the Norton family to love
amulets so much.
“Fabian, stop bidding!” Ashley muttered to him.
The hatred she felt for Vivian had increased ten-fold by then. She couldn’t believe that the item she
donated had been outshone by Vivian’s amulet. This is preposterous! Ashley was miffed that even a
worn-out amulet had allowed Vivian to steal the limelight from her. If I knew this was going to happen, I
shouldn’t have switched out the diamond necklace.
What infuriated her further was the fact that Fabian had joined in the bid fervently. His intentions were
simply too obvious.
Ashley felt embarrassed. The attention she gained just a short while ago was short-lived. In fact, it had
already been rendered insignificant.
The host commented excitedly, “What a thrilling bid this is! Thank you both Mr. Nortons for your fervent
support of this charity auction and the love you have in your hearts.”
“Two million!” Finnick raised his paddle again without a single hint of hesitation.
“Wow! It has reached two million! Two million, ladies and gentlemen!” The host was so hyped up that
even his hands were trembling.
The corner of Finnick’s mouth curled into a smirk.
Fabian, do you think this is your chance to get into Vivian’s good books?
If so, you’re absolutely mistaken! When it comes to Vivian, you’re never going to get a single
opportunity.
Finnick used the charity auction to vent the frustration he had on Fabian for all the fear and jealousy he
felt recently. He intended to shatter every last bit of confidence Fabian still had within him.
Gritting his teeth, Fabian raised his paddle.
“Three million!”
Ashley was devastated.
Fabian, when are you going to stop standing up for Vivian?
The crowd looked towards Fabian. It was easy for them to comprehend why Finnick was bidding
because he was doing so for his wife. But everyone now wondered why Fabian was so interested in
the amulet.
Ashley questioned, “Fabian, do you think it’s appropriate for you to behave this way?”
Fabian retorted, “Hmph! You should have a taste of your own medicine. You will have to suffer the
consequences of what you have done.”
“You…” Ashley bit her tongue.
Fabian was aware of what the amulet was and understood how important it was to Vivian. Without
having to investigate, he already knew that this was part of Ashley’s scheme.
Meanwhile, Vivian didn’t know why Fabian was fighting for the amulet. But, she really hoped that he
wouldn’t win and preferred Finnick to be the victor instead. Even if Finnick didn’t plan to return it to her,
she would still feel happy to know that the man she loved was holding on to it.
Finnick wondered to himself, Fabian, do you really think you can win back Vivian’s heart just by doing
this? What a futile effort. Don’t you know by now that you are no match for me?
Finnick no longer wanted to fool around with Fabian anymore. He had lost his patience and felt that
there was no point in wasting any more time.
Chapter 204
Raising his paddle, Finnick was aiming to crush Fabian’s desire for the amulet.
“Ten million!” Finnick exclaimed.
The crowd gasped as Finnick’s action thrilled the whole auction house. Ten million just for an amulet!
Even if it were made of diamonds, it still wouldn’t be worth that much.
The host spoke with a trembling voice, “T-Ten million… Ten million, does anyone want to bid higher
than this?”
Fabian tightened his grip on the paddle with a look filled with exasperation.
No, I can still continue!
At that moment, Ashley had enough of Fabian’s behavior. Since when did Vivian’s amulet become so
important to him that he is willing to sacrifice everything he has for it?
Fabian, am I nothing to you? You’re going to lose everything you have! I won’t allow this to happen!
Ashley quickly reached out and stop Fabian from raising his hand. She murmured, “Fabian, have you
lost your mind? What do you take me as? Ten million is a huge sum of money. Even if you asked your
father for it, he is not going to give it to you.”
Ashley’s words made perfect sense. Even if he won the bid for the amulet, Fabian’s father would have
gone ballistic. Even he may not be able to gather so much money on such short notice. Fabian realized
then that he had no choice but to give up.
Finnick, you’re just too ruthless!
Vivian, I’m sorry.
In his trembling voice, the host called out, “Ten million, going once! Ten million, going twice! Ten million,
sold!”
Finnick finally won the bid for the amulet.
The host waved his hand and declared, “Congratulations, Mr. Norton!”
Devastated, Fabian was filled with disappointment in himself. Having lost all interest in what was going
on around him, he slumped in his seat just like a deflated balloon.
He had failed and lost to Finnick again.
Filled with gratitude, Vivian said to Finnick, “Thank you.”
Finnick held up her hand and placed it in his left palm. At that moment, neither of them needed to say
much as they already understood where their hearts lay. They had the same goal, which was to always
shower each other with love and happiness.
Everyone in the crowd was shocked and envious of Vivian at the same time.
Mr. Norton loves his wife to bits! The diamond pen that he bid for earlier could no longer compare to the
amulet after what had just unfolded.
By then, Vivian was already stupefied.
She was still in disbelief that Finnick had used ten million to win the bid for her mother’s amulet.
Despite the uproar felt by the crowd, it paled in comparison to the awe that Vivian felt.
She knew that he would protect her but didn’t expect the lengths he would go to just to do so.
He had done more for her than Evelyn.
Does it mean that I’m more important to him than she is?
Vivian couldn’t deny that meeting Finnick was the best thing that ever happened to her.
Gazing at Finnick with her glistening eyes, she couldn’t help but ask, “Finnick, do you think doing this is
worth it?”
Finnick returned her gaze with a calm look and replied, “Isn’t the amulet very important to you? If so, of
course it’s worth it.”
Just because it’s important to me? Does Finnick really not feel any reluctance in paying ten million for
it? Evidently, he cares a lot about me and since the amulet is precious to me, he now sees the amulet
as a priceless treasure.
With that, the anger she felt for Finnick over the incident with Fabian dissipated. She now thought of it
as Finnick throwing a tantrum like a child.
With tears of gratitude in her eyes, she could feel the frostiness in her heart melt. Never before could
someone bring so much light and warmth into her life.
After Finnick won the bid with ten million, the auction slowly wound down to a close with the rest of the
items gradually being sold off.
Once the auction had ended, everyone moved to the restaurant for the appreciation dinner.
After experiencing such a thrilling auction, the crowd was greeted by an extravagant spread of food
inside the restaurant. With soothing music playing in the background, their mood was further enlivened
as they began to chat amongst themselves merrily.
However, the main topic of discussion still centered upon how exciting the auction was.
Many guests came over to congratulate Finnick with a toast, to the extent that Vivian didn’t even have
an opportunity to speak to him.
Vivian was someone that didn’t enjoy being in a crowded place and wasn’t adept at flattery which was
required for such occasions. Hence, she found a corner in the restaurant and sat alone sipping her
wine.
Chapter 205
The auction overwhelmed Vivian with emotions. The daring way Finnick bided for the amulet and how
he always came to her rescue touched her.
As she watched him sit in his wheelchair being surrounded by the crowd, she could see how everyone
was charmed by his demeanor. At that moment, she suddenly felt a sense of security in her heart.
Finally, someone was there to protect her. Furthermore, the man was both dashing and filled with
masculinity.
Although he may appear cold and always had on an icy expression, the truth was that he had a warm
disposition and loved with great intensity.
While Finnick was chatting with a few foreigners, he suddenly looked in Vivian’s direction and winked at
her, causing her to blush immediately. Smiling sweetly, she raised her glass back at him and took a sip.
As her gaze continued to trail Finnick’s figure, she could faintly hear someone arguing by another
corner. It turned out to be Fabian and Ashley.
Ashley berated, “Fabian, do you realize how inappropriate your actions were during the auction? As
your fiancée, did you take my feelings into account? Did you even consider how humiliating it was for
me? My fiancé competing with someone else’s husband for a lousy amulet. It was ten million, for God’s
sake! Are you out of your mind?”
Fabian retorted in exasperation, “So what? How dare you seethe at me? Let me ask you, were you the
one who caused this? Vivian would never have put up the amulet for sale. Ashley, I already agreed not
to break up with you, so you’d better know your boundaries!”
Vivian was jolted by Fabian’s words.
At the end of the day, the reason Fabian tried to bid for the amulet was because of his protectiveness
of her.
He understood how much the amulet meant to Vivian.
Vivian recalled the time when they were both in school. She was holding the amulet in her hand and
showing it to Fabian. She said, “Fabian, look! my mom gave me this amulet and said that it is really
effective. She told me that it’ll be able to grant me all my wishes.”
Smiling, Fabian pulled Vivian into his embrace and gently blew in her hair. The next moment, a
jasmine-scented fragrance permeated through the air.
Those were some of the best times they had.
However, everything was different now.
Suddenly, her reminiscing was interrupted by Ashley’s clamor.
Ashley hissed, “Fine, even if you don’t care for my feelings, what about our child? Do you plan to let
him be born broke just because of how stubborn you are? Are you going to tell him that his father
squandered everything he had for a lousy amulet?”
“Ashley, don’t cross the line! Didn’t I fail to win the bid? Besides, you shouldn’t exaggerate as my
assets are definitely worth more than ten million.”
“So? is that reason enough for you to buy the worn-out amulet for that despicable Vivian?”
“Ashley, to you, that amulet is something worthless. But, to others, it means the world to them! Do you
understand?”
Ashley was already furious at how much Fabian cared for Vivian. As such, her anger was further
intensified by how Fabian tried to defend his own actions.
“I really don’t understand! I love you so, so much, so why don’t you love me back?” Ashley couldn’t get
past his indifference towards her. “I am on the brink of being driven mad by jealousy! Fabian, I am the
woman you ought to be loving and protecting.”
Leaning his back against the wall, Fabian felt drained.
He murmured, “Ashley, there’s a limit to my patience. I’m tired of this so let’s stop arguing. Let me think
in peace, alright?”
Ashley continued to berate, “Fabian, you cold-blooded pig! I have always loved you and treated you
like a king, so why can’t you ever forget about Vivian? Why! Why do you prefer to fancy someone who
had been defiled over loving me?”
With that, she no longer wanted to speak to him as she felt her heart fall into the deepest pit of despair.
As Ashley came out from the corner, her eyes caught sight of Vivian sitting alone.
Well, well, Vivian, I wasn’t planning to do anything to you, but yet here you are, just sitting right in front
of me! Ashley felt that Vivian constantly got the better of her. She also realized that Vivian must have
overheard her argument with Fabian.
Chapter 206
How dare she shamelessly sit there still. She must be gloating now that she saw me being reduced to
such a pathetic state!
At that moment, Ashley was filled with rage. Taking a look at the glass of red wine in her hand, she
spilled it viciously in Vivian’s direction.
Meanwhile, Vivian was still in a daze and didn’t notice Ashley approaching.
Ashley is pregnant with Fabian’s child!
While her mind was still digesting what she had just overheard, she didn’t realize Ashley was standing
right in front of her.
“Vivian, you b*tch!” Ashley shrieked as she splashed the wine at her.
When Vivian saw the wine spilling towards her, she was petrified. She quickly shut her eyes and
cringed in reflex.
By the time she opened her eyes, she realized that there wasn’t any red wine on her. What happened?
At the critical moment, someone had shielded her from the wine.
When Vivian turned to look, she saw a man in a wheelchair with a cold expression.
Finnick! The red wine had spilled all over Finnick’s arm and body.
Just a moment ago, Finnick was worried that Vivian would feel bored and lonely. Hence, he wheeled
himself in her direction. Little did he expect to see Ashley appear from around the corner.
Having a hunch that something untoward was going to happen, he accelerated in their direction. True
to his expectations, he saw Ashley’s vicious expression as she raised the wineglass in her hand.
Finnick glared coldly at Ashley who was gawping in shock.
In her panic, she quickly threw the wine glass in her hand away.
As the glass shattered on the ground, it caught everyone’s attention causing the whole restaurant to fall
into silence.
Vivian, who was standing beside Finnick, asked worriedly, “Finnick, are you hurt? Here, let me take a
look.”
“I’m fine.”
Just then, Xavier walked over and quickly understood what just happened. He turned towards the
crowd and declared, “Oh, it’s nothing. Someone just spilled a glass of wine by accident. Please carry
on.”
When the crowd saw that there wasn’t much of a dispute, they went back to what they were doing and
the restaurant’s atmosphere returned to what it was before.
Xavier offered his own silk scarf to Finnick so that the latter could wipe his arm.
He then said, “Oh my! What happened? How did you spill the wine all over yourself? Haha, I must have
a word with the restaurant manager and instruct them not to serve this particular wine anymore. What a
party pooper.”
Accepting the scarf, Finnick wiped the wine off himself.
When Xavier saw his movements, his eyes suddenly lit up as if he had an epiphany.
Realizing that she had gone overboard, Ashley quickly apologized, “I’m sorry… I’m so sorry, Mr.
Norton. I-I wasn’t aiming to spill the wine at you. Erm, no… actually, I didn’t do it on purpose.”
At that moment, Vivian realized that Ashley was aiming at her.
Just then, Fabian, who had drunk a lot, hurried towards them.
Grabbing Vivian’s hand, he asked anxiously, “Vivian, are you hurt?”
At the sight of Fabian, Vivian pulled back her hand at once and replied with her eyes lowered, “I’m
fine.”
Staring at Vivian, Fabian was lost in thought.
When Ashley saw how Fabian was humiliating her again, she stomped her feet in a jealous fit of rage.
Meanwhile, the crowd looked on at the few of them, those that were in the know started gossiping.
Among them, one said, “Did you see that? The Norton family’s uncle and nephew are having a feud.”
“The nephew seems to care a lot about his aunt. Have you forgotten that he had joined the bidding war
for the amulet?”
A look of displeasure spread across Finnick’s face when he saw Fabian standing in close proximity to
Vivian.
He seethed and warned Fabian in a frosty voice, “Fabian, you’d better keep your fiancée’s behavior in
check.”
Finnick’s outright admonishment shocked Fabian.
By reprimanding him and Ashley in public, Finnick showed that he didn’t care about the Norton family’s
reputation. Finnick was like a tiger who had just awoken and was ready to pounce.
Despite his consternation, Fabian didn’t show it in his reply, “I will ensure that she behaves, Uncle.”
At the same time, he turned towards Vivian. “I’m sorry. I apologize on behalf of my fiancée.”
Being too used to acting with impunity, Ashley was upset. “Fabian, why are you apologizing? I-I just lost
my balance, it’s not like I did it on purpose.”
Chapter 207
Fabian glared at Ashley and asked her to shut up.
Not on purpose? Do you think Finnick and I are blind? If not for the gathering crowd, Fabian would
have taught Ashley a lesson in front of Vivian.
Fearing that the matter would escalate and cause all of them to be disgraced, Vivian took the initiative
to defuse the situation. “Since no one is hurt, let’s just forget it. There’s nothing to apologize for. It’s all
just a misunderstanding. Am I right? Finnick?”
Finnick quickly understood her intentions when he saw Vivian trying to brush off the matter.
However, he was reluctant to let Ashley off the hook without teaching her a lesson. After all, she had
made numerous attempts at sabotaging Vivian. Furthermore, he found it strange that the diamond
necklace they donated to the auction suddenly turned into the amulet Rachel gave Vivian. There were
only a few suspects and Ashley was the biggest one.
As Finnick stared at Ashley, she didn’t dare to make eye contact and pretended to into the distance out
of guilt.
Finnick slowly circled Ashley in his wheelchair while scrutinizing her. While he was doing so, Ashley
was so afraid that sweat started to bead on her face.
Finnick sneered, “Ms. Miller, your sister is here, and yet you have not greeted her?”
Greet her? I hate her! Why the hell would I greet that b*tch? Ashley simply ignored Finnick’s words.
Tugging at Finnick’s sleeve, Vivian whispered, “Finnick, just let it go.”
However, there was no way Finnick would allow Ashley off the hook that easily.
He told Xavier, “Mr. Jackson, I need a favor from you. Can you get the organizing committee of the
charity auction to investigate how the item we donated was lost? It’s a diamond necklace worth two
million.”
As he spoke, Finnick’s gaze fell right upon Ashley.
At the exact same moment, Ashley’s face went white as a sheet.
Damn it, if they find out that I was the one who switched the necklace, not only will I lose everything,
but I may also end up in prison.
Ashley’s reflexes were lightning quick. A smile instantly broke out on her face as she said to Vivian,
“Vivian! Finnick is bullying me again. Next time let’s go home and share a meal together, alright?”
Vivian could surmised what was going on.
It was now obvious to her that Ashley was the mastermind behind the amulet incident.
Although she despised what Ashley had done, Vivian’s heart wavered as she knew Ashley was
pregnant. Hence, she decided not to be too hard on her.
Vivian interrupted Xavier and Finnick, “Let’s just drop it since all of us know each other. Finnick, I feel
like going home. Is it ok if we head back first?”
When he saw how Ashley had softened her stance and how Vivian was interceding on her sister’s
behalf, Finnick relented and decided not to pursue the matter any further. It didn’t matter to him that the
diamond necklace was lost. All he cared about was Vivian’s safety.
Turning his attention to Ashley, he gave her a stern warning. “Ashley, I’m warning you, do not to try my
patience. Or else the whole Miller family will face the consequences of your actions.”
Feeling a chill down her spine, Ashley’s knees buckled causing her to lose her balance.
Fabian quickly reached out to support her. Finnick is simply too terrifying!
Right after he spoke, Finnick led Vivian out of the restaurant.
Xavier didn’t move as he gawked at Finnick and Vivian leaving. Finnick was still holding on to Xavier’s
tailor-made scarf in his hands. Earlier, when he attempted to help Finnick wipe his arm, he felt a sense
of Deja vu. But, he couldn’t recall why he found it familiar.
After Finnick and Vivian left the auction, they got into the car and prepared to head home.
Given so much had happened at the charity auction, no one was sure how the media was going to spin
it.
Finnick’s ten million bid for the amulet would definitely be the talk of the town. It might even hit the front
page of Sunshine City’s news.
Inside the car, Vivian used a small handkerchief to help Finnick wipe the wine stains off him.
She murmured, “I’m sorry. It’s my fault for causing you trouble again.”
Causing trouble?
Finnick chuckled.
Vivian, you really are the epitome of trouble.
That being said, I don’t mind being troubled by you. As long as you are by my side, I’m more than
willing to go through any amount of trouble for you.
Finnick patted her and replied, “Don’t worry, I like trouble.”
Chapter 208
Vivian was extremely grateful to Finnick because she could always feel the warmth and affection he
showed her.
He had done so much for her that his efforts were beyond measure.
Vivian felt that she was the luckiest woman in the world to be loved by Finnick. Growing up, she was
lonely and had a tough life. Hence, she didn’t know what love was. When she got to know Fabian, she
thought what she had was a love where she could live happily.
It wasn’t until she met Finnick that she really experience what true love was.
From the beginning, Finnick was always protective of her. The very first day they met, he had paid the
restaurant bills for her to prevent her from being humiliated. After that, he wanted to marry her which
indirectly resolved her registration as a city’s resident. Only then did her mother recover from her
sickness. Furthermore, there were innumerable occasions where he rescued her. Therefore, she knew
that Finnick was someone she could rely on for life.
As she reminisce about the past, Vivian hugged Finnick by impulse.
His chest was broad and warm, making her feel comfortable in his arms.
She could feel the warmth he emitted and the beating of his heart. At that moment, all she wanted to do
was to stay within his embrace and forget all her troubles.
Vivian whispered, “Finnick, thank you. It’s not about the ten million. It’s for loving and protecting me.
Thank you.”
Finnick could feel his heart race as this was the first time Vivian hugged him by her own accord. I
guess she’s no longer angry with me.
Caught by surprise, he wondered what had gotten into Vivian.
He asked in a gentle tone, “Are you no longer angry with me?”
“That was a long time ago,” Vivian replied honestly. “Before this, I only felt that you didn’t respect me
enough. I didn’t get how you could… treat me in such an aggressive manner. You weren’t gentle at all.
In fact, you were downright domineering. However, after giving it some thought, I figured it was
because your anger overwhelmed you. Therefore, I can’t fully blame you for it.”
Finnick furrowed his eyebrows, “Is this the only thing you’re angry about?”
Vivian threw the question back at him with a puzzled expression, “What else should I be angry about?”
Finnick had assumed that she was giving him the cold shoulder because she took to heart how Fabian
saw her. His assumption had caused him to feel upset.
It now appeared that he was wrong.
Finnick sidestepped Vivian’s question and replied with a smile, “Well, as long as you’re no longer angry,
all is good.”
Vivian continued, “In that case, are you also no longer angry?”
Finnick had wanted to ask Vivian about the pictures where Fabian forced himself on her. However, he
didn’t want to remind her of that man.
At the same time, he also felt that there was no longer a need to know. Vivian sat snuggly by his side in
acquiescence. When she gave him a longing look, he felt that nothing else mattered anymore.
He trusted her and it was just that simple.
Finnick answered, “Silly girl, how could I stay angry at you for long?”
“If that’s the case, why did you ignore me over the last few days? Your actions almost broke my heart,”
Vivian asked, raising her eyebrows curiously.
Looking at how alluring Vivian was, Finnick wondered to himself how he should handle her.
“I didn’t ignore you.” He hugged her and whispered, “And neither was I angry.”
Vivian furrowed her eyebrows.
So he wasn’t angry, does that mean he wasn’t jealous?
Vivian teased, “I thought you were jealous.”
“I was.” Finnick didn’t deny it, causing Vivian’s heart to sink.
He added, “But I trust you. Vivian, I have faith in you. I’m just jealous, that’s all.”
I trust you.
Those three simple words melted Vivian’s heart.
Fabian had not believed her then. But now, Finnick trusted her wholeheartedly.
This is what makes him the right one.
What a nice feeling this is.
Both of them exchanged glances and smiled. They now understood that the reason they were giving
each other the cold shoulder was because they simply cared too much.
Finnick held Vivian’s hand and intertwined his fingers with hers.
Looking at how enchanting Vivian was, Finnick could feel the desire growing within him.
Meanwhile, when Vivian saw the burning passion in his eyes, she averted her gaze coyly.
The moment she did, however, Finnick caught her by the chin and lifted it up for a kiss.
Vivian’s body began to relax.
Overwhelmed by his warmth, she set aside her self-restraint and kissed him back passionately.
Finnick was so moved by her reaction that his heart began to race.
As Vivian put her arms around his neck, he felt passion overwhelming him.
Chapter 209
Vivian felt like Finnick was trying to eat her up as he kissed her. She went with the flow and let him do
whatever he wanted, enjoying his loving caress. At that moment, she was willing to dedicate everything
she had to him.
As the temperature in the car rose, Finnick whispered in her ear, “Let’s go home so that I can devour
you.”
Vivian took a deep breath, and her chest heaved as her face grew redder.
Her bashfulness made her looked even more attractive and Finnick locked lips with her again.
His kiss, combined with what happened earlier that day, was like a surge of warmth flowing through her
heart.
Vivian melted as if she was a glacier in the Himalayan mountains, turning into water that nourished
each other’s hearts.
When the car finally pulled up in front of the villa, the driver and Noah watched as the two lovebirds got
off the car with a blushing face.
Realization finally dawned on Vivian that there were others in the car with her. She could not help but
flush as she touched her burning hot cheeks and hurriedly straightened her clothes.
Finnick said, “Let’s go home.”
After getting off the car, Vivian pushed Finnick into the house. While the latter was still thinking about
the ways to devour Vivian, he suddenly received a call from Xavier.
What a killjoy!
Frowning, Finnick did not want to answer it initially, but Xavier called again after the first call was
ignored.
Only then did Finnick compose himself as he knew Xavier very well. Although the latter was usually
frivolous, his persistent calls showed that he must have something important to say.
Finnick told Vivian, “Why don’t you head on up first? I need to take this call.”
Vivian nodded and went upstairs, whereas Finnick answered the phone.
Xavier could be heard panting as he said, “Finnick, I think I have an idea about the identity of the man
who lost the silk scarf in the Century Hotel two years ago! I’m on my way to your house now and I’ll tell
you in detail in a while!”
The look on Finnick’s face instantly changed.
He found the man from two years ago?
Shocked, Finnick hung up the phone and went to the room upstairs first.
The sight of Vivian getting changed sent a ripple of emotions through him, but he did not say anything
and simply tell her, “It must have been a tiring day for you. You should rest early.”
She squatted down and leaned on his legs, saying, “What about you? You should be more tired than I
am today.”
“I’m waiting for Xavier. He’s coming over in a while,” replied Finnick.
“Oh, I see. Don’t forget to get some rest afterward.” Nodding her head, Vivian went to shower.
While showering in the bathroom, she got lost in her thought.
She was overwhelmed by everything that happened at the auction earlier.
First, there was Evelyn’s diamond pen, to the missing amulet, and then Finnick’s ten million bid of the
amulet. Afterward, Fabian and Ashley fought, and the latter was found out to be pregnant. Not to
mention the incident where Finnick shielded Vivian from the red wine…
A rush of mixed feelings came over Vivian.
As she stood under the showerhead, the warm water flowed down her body, and the warmth invaded
every inch of her skin from her head to her toe. Only then did the tension in her body slowly dissipated.
It feels so good.
Vivian thought of Finnick.
He had bought her mother’s amulet at the auction for ten million and had also stepped forward to shield
her from the red wine that was poured by Ashley. Now that she thought about it, the man always
showed up in the nick of time whenever she was in danger…
However, there still seemed to be many obstacles between her and Finnick, such as Fabian, Evelyn,
and the truth from two years ago.
Perhaps Finnick won’t be bothered by it, but what happened two years ago had always been a thorn in
Vivian’s flesh, which often pierced into her heart so much that it hurt.
But everyone had a past. For Finnick, the past that he could never let go of was the fire incident and
Evelyn. Considering that he still pretended to be crippled, he must still have a lot of things to settle.
Meanwhile, Finnick was reading news on his phone in the living room, but he could not understand a
thing as his mind was preoccupied.
The things that Xavier said on the phone left him restless.
What exactly is the truth? Can Xavier actually solve this mystery?
For a moment, Finnick was suddenly afraid to know the truth. The reason being that the truth was often
horrible.
Chapter 210
Finnick waited anxiously for a long while before Xavier finally arrived.
Since the nanny already went back, Finnick got up from his wheelchair.
In fact, everything that he did at the auction was not tiring. The only tiring thing for him was being in the
wheelchair the whole time.
Finnick poured Xavier a glass of red wine.
Xavier accepted it and muttered, “Red wine? Seriously? Do you love wine so much that you still want to
drink it even after your clothes were drenched in it?”
He leaned over and took a sniff at Finnick’s clothes, he then covered his nose and teased, “You reek of
alcohol, dude. Haha. It seems that you’re quite a good drinker.”
However, Finnick paid no heed to his teasing and simply asked anxiously, “Stop joking around. Tell me
now, what do you mean by what you said on the phone? Any news on the silk scarf?”
“Why are you in such a hurry when we have all the time in the world? You’re no fun. Don’t you feel tired
wearing that stern face and acting cool all the time?” retorted Xavier with a happy look on his face.
Sitting on the sofa, Finnick urged, “Stop messing with me! Tell me about the silk scarf now. What did
you recall? Spill it and stop testing my patience.”
“Okay, okay.” Xavier raised his hands up in surrender and added, “You have to thank someone from the
charity auction. It was because of her that I recalled the things about the silk scarf.”
“Who is it?” Finnick waited for Xavier’s answer.
Seeing the eager look on Finnick’s face, Xavier burst into laughter and made fun of him, “Look at you,
getting so anxious. Haha. It’s hilarious.”
Finnick grabbed Xavier by the collar and growled, “Enough with your games! Come on, tell me now,
who is she?”
“Let go of me! I’ll say it. I’ll say it, okay?”
Finnick loosened his grip, and Xavier took a step back, he said, “It’s Ashley! If you hadn’t shielded
Vivian from the wine that was poured by Ashley and gotten yourself drenched in wine, I wouldn’t have
remembered it. When I was wiping your clothes with a silk scarf, it felt like Deja vu to me…”
Xavier pretended to be deep in thought, while Finnick waited for his next words without suspecting
anything.
After a few moments of waiting, Finnick finally realized something was off.
Approaching Xavier, he stared into Xavier’s eyes and threatened, “Xavier Jackson, can you stop
keeping me in suspense? My patience is wearing thin and if you keep this up, I’ll show you no mercy!”
“Geez, I just want to take it easy for once. Look at you, getting all hot and bothered.”
Xavier kept grinning at Finnick as he beckoned to him and ordered, “Come on then. Serve me.”
“Are you done grinning and messing around?” Finnick planned to maim Xavier if he continued to keep
him guessing.
After Xavier had enough fun, he said to Finnick, “I can tell you about the silk scarf, Finnick, but on one
condition.”
Having figured it out, Finnick replied, “I knew it. Well, spit it out then.”
“Pinky promise!” Xavier held up his little finger.
Finnick slapped Xavier’s hand away and replied, “What are we, three-year-old kids?”
With the grin still plastered on his face, Xavier said, “Reopen my silk scarf factory immediately. I’m
innocent, and the factory’s innocent as well. Without the silk scarf factory, I have no allowance! It’s all
your fault, Finnick. You have no idea how many girls I’ve missed out on during this period!”
Finnick sat back on the sofa and asserted, “It’s not difficult to reopen the silk scarf factory, but it
depends on the value of the clues you’ll be providing.”
“Don’t worry. It’s definitely very valuable.” Xavier sat down and continued, “Moreover, it’s definitely a
truth that’s beyond your imagination.”
Truth.
Finnick felt his heart began to pound. Who was Vivian with at Century Hotel two years ago… He didn’t
dare to think about it further.
Xavier suddenly asked, “Do you really want to know, Finnick?”
“Yes.”
“Are you sure?”
Finnick took a deep breath and replied, “Yes, I’m sure. I can handle it. Just tell me.”
“Alright, then.”
This time, Xavier sat down calmly and recounted seriously, “Do you remember that you had a fierce
argument with Benedict at a dinner banquet like this two years ago? You accidentally got red wine
spilled on your clothes, and I lent you my silk scarf.”
Finnick gave it a hard thought before answering, “I think so.”
He remembered that after the argument with Benedict that night, he had too much to drink and felt
unwell, so he left before the dinner was over.