Chapter 9
Lina Holloway: “This is a matter for the Thorne family, I’m afraid I cannot disclose anything p>
“However, the Thorne family already owns three authentic W paintings. Please trust that Mr. Thorne is sincerely searching for W p>
The exquisite, delicious food was served to the table.
Vivian Sinclair excused herself to make a phone call, wanting to get some air.
Just then, she actually got a call from her senior, Tina.
Tina sounded excited: “Vivian, the thing you asked for is already done p>
“Can I leak a little something to the public, let everyone see how shocking Vivi’s comeback is p>
Vivian: “Sorry, Tina. This particular set, let’s not announce it yet. I’m planning to give it as a gift p>
“In a few days, I’ll send you a new set of design drafts. We’ll meet up then and discuss my return to the design world in detail p>
Tina was so thrilled she was practically dancing on her end of the phone.
“That’s great, Vivian, you’ve finally made up your mind p>
“You have no idea what the fashion scene lost during your year of silence p>
“You’re a genius designer, Vivi! At sixteen you were already famous, and your pieces would sell out instantly the moment they hit the market p>
“How many girls in the world are as young as you and as gifted p>
Vivian blushed slightly at the compliments, raised a finger and whispered, “Shh p>
“Tina, please keep this a secret for me p>
Tina apologized repeatedly: “I got too excited, don’t worry, no one heard a thing p>
“Should I drop by myself tomorrow and deliver it to you p>
“Vivian, I’ve missed you so much, it feels like forever p>
Vivian smiled and replied, “Alright, see you tomorrow p>
After hanging up, Vivian was about to head back to the private dining room, but happened to catch a glimpse of two extremely familiar figures in the suite as a waiter exited.
Was that Zoe Monroe and Austin Grant?
Just her luck—can’t even have a meal without running into trouble.
The sliding doors weren’t completely closed.
Seeing the waiter had walked away, Vivian paused for a moment nearby.
“Austin, last night I attended the banquet as your secretary, but everyone suspected my identity. The humiliation I suffered—how are you going to make it up to me p>
Austin Grant’s doting voice sounded low: “Isn’t treating you to dinner enough p>
“You don’t want the card, either. So tell me, whatever you want, if I have it—it’s yours p>
Zoe Monroe’s voice was utterly aggrieved: “Back then, I was your legitimate girlfriend p>
“If it weren’t for Vivian Sinclair, we never would’ve been forced apart p>
“So what if you and her got married? I just don’t want you touching her p>
“Austin, she’s only your wife in name, but I’m the one in your heart—and in reality, your real wife, isn’t that right p>
Austin Grant pulled Zoe Monroe onto his lap, gently pressing his forehead to hers, enunciating every word: “Yes, in my heart, you’re my true wife p>
“Before you came back, I never touched her p>
“Now you’re back, and with you here, I’m even less likely to touch her p>
“Zoe, if I hadn’t finally found you, I’d never be happy in my life p>
“I’d give you anything—including my life p>
“I promised you, I’d protect and love you forever p>
“I know you suffered last night p>
“Trust me—after you have the baby and I get rid of Vivian Sinclair, when I hold absolute authority in the Grant Family, I’ll marry you and bring you home p>
“Our family of four—together, always p>
Zoe Monroe was so overwhelmed, she burst into happy tears.
“Austin, you make me believe I deserve the very best in this world p>
“I want you to give me the most unique, most collectible gift possible p>
“Let’s call it an early birthday present, okay p>
Austin Grant indulgently tapped her nose: “Go on, what do you really want p>
Zoe Monroe: “You see this? Something just got leaked online p>
There was a noise from outside the door: “Excuse me, sir, did you get lost p>
Austin Grant’s expression changed instantly.
He got up and slid open the suite door—only to see a waiter preparing to bring in dishes.
“Was there someone outside just now p>
Austin Grant’s face was livid as he questioned.
Waiter: “No. Just a lady who happened to go the wrong way, that’s all p>
“President Grant, shall I serve now p>
Vivian Sinclair returned to the suite—Lina Holloway hadn’t touched a single bite while guarding the whole table of food.
Vivian gave a faint smile: “Let’s eat p>
During a lull, she texted Tina: Senior, I’ve thought it over—I agree with your previous idea.
By evening, the news of designer Vivi’s grand comeback with her new Chinese-style collection had already blown up online.
Along with the announcement was a photo.
The photo showed the corner of a finished piece of Chinese-style jade jewelry.
The image wasn’t clear, but even that one little glimpse drove Vivi’s fans crazy.
Especially the many big names who adore her—they were all fighting to get their hands on the collection.
“This time it’s jade! Jade is what Vivi has released the least of, plus it’s directly produced with Serenity Studio, the only studio she’s ever worked with. That quality and collectability is simply unbeatable p>
“Say no more, this set is mine—no one’s allowed to compete p>
“Please, just let me have it. I’ve never gotten lucky enough to snag one p>
Vivi’s fame and status in the design world isn’t just due to her distinctive, stunning jewelry—it’s also her prodigious talent at a young age.
At sixteen, she won the gold prize at the international jewelry competition, taking home the crown.
The news exploded in domestic fashion circles!
Not only because of her age, but because she never showed her face—she’s stayed mysterious, never once appearing in public since.
After that win, her reputation skyrocketed, and she became an apprentice under the Master Tris.
And every single design stunned everyone who loved her style, making her work even more sought after and her fame greater every year.
It’s just a shame—her pieces are always in limited supply; she never mass-produces, so anyone who owns one is lucky, and they’re truly valuable.
This time Vivi’s been quiet for over a year—everyone thought she was out of inspiration or just retired, but instead, she’s back with a bang!
Vivian Sinclair had no idea how lively things were online.
Because she didn’t go back to the Grant Family home tonight; she was busy soothing Old Madam Grant’s nerves.
“Grandma, I may need a few days before I move back to the old house. I need to organize some things, I swear… I’m not lying to you p>
“Yes, okay… I’ll come back as soon as I can p>
“I haven’t forgotten your birthday, I promise I’ll be back before then, alright p>
“I’ve prepared a surprise for you p>
Finally hanging up, Vivian got another text from Austin Grant.
“Vivian, something came up suddenly. Dinner’s canceled tonight, you don’t need to wait for me. We’ll talk tomorrow when you come home p>
Vivian deleted his text.
She hadn’t planned to accept the invitation tonight anyway.
As expected, it’s always the same—waiting foolishly for him, only to get a message at nearly eleven o’clock.
Vivian let out a self-deprecating, bitter laugh: “Never again. I’ll never wait for you in this lifetime p>
Meanwhile, at Crestfall Villa, Thorne Family.
Lina Holloway was standing in the study, reporting word for word to Julian Thorne what she’d learned from Vivian Sinclair.
“Mr. Thorne, Young Madam Grant said herself—she met this W in person when she married into the Grant Family last year p>
“The person’s rough-looking, tall and well-built, in his thirties p>
“He went to the Grant residence and met with the old madam in secret. Seems they made some kind of agreement; that’s why this W took the money, retired, and left Ardis p>
“From what Young Madam Grant said, looks like this W won’t be resurfacing, and definitely won’t… ever come back to Ardis p>
Lina Holloway’s tone slipped into regret.
Mr. Thorne has been searching for this W for a full three years!
Finally found some clues with the Grant Family, only to learn he’ll never show up.
With this outcome, Mr. Thorne’s got to be devastated.
Julian Thorne hadn’t expected it to end like this.
But from his shadowed face, you couldn’t read any emotion.
He only dismissed Lina Holloway coldly.
Then he walked to the window and stared out into the pitch-black night, his repressed emotions finally slowly leaking out, his whole body cloaked in gloom.
No idea how much time passed; he pulled out his phone and scrolled to a conversation with a transaction record.
The money—he hadn’t accepted it.
W—he wouldn’t just give up so easily.
Thinking of those clear eyes, he couldn’t fully trust everything he’d been told.
Suddenly, a siren blared through the estate.
The aloof, aristocratic Mr. Thorne’s face changed dramatically for once.
He turned and ran outside—housekeepers shouting frantically: “Quick! Everyone to Miss’s room on the second floor p>
“Miss has set fire to herself again p>
As always, the Thorne household was thrown into chaos for another sleepless night.
When Julian Thorne finally carried his sister out of the flames, he turned to the dark night beyond.
“W—wherever you are in the world, the Thorne Family will find you p>
The next day, Vivian Sinclair had just woken up when Tina called.
“Vivian, guess who came to Serenity Studio last night p>
Vivian yawned, getting up lazily, not really caring: “Who p>
Tina: “Your husband—President Grant p>
“He started right off by offering ten million to buy your just-launched piece p>
“He still doesn’t know that his own wife is Vivi—so pathetic and laughable p>
Vivian didn’t even bat an eyelid.
She agreed to let Tina leak her identity last night specifically to attract Austin Grant.
Sure enough, ten million willingly splashed out, all just to make Zoe Monroe smile.
“How did you handle it p>