Chapter 127

Vivian froze as she watched Julian's eager expression. 'Wait a minute,' she thought. 'My ex-husband is the one having an affair here. Why are you so invested?'

Then it clicked.

"You celebrities really are something else!" Vivian smirked as she stepped into the elevator. "Let me guess - you're hoping Ethan will become your sugar daddy, aren't you?" She felt rather clever, like she'd just solved a mystery.

Julian nearly choked on air. "What?" His eyes widened at this unexpected side of Vivian. "That's quite the imagination you've got there."

"Am I wrong?" Vivian crossed her arms. In the entertainment industry, nothing surprised her anymore.

Idols often played into shipping culture for popularity. Others sought wealthy benefactors. As a member of the famous Nova Boys, Julian's motives seemed obvious.

"Don't do it," Vivian warned. "Ethan Blackwood is terrible news. You'd regret it. Work with me instead." She gave him a calculating look. "If things go well, I might invest in your career. You could be starring in movies before you know it."

She wasn't entirely joking. As a single mother now, Vivian needed profitable investments. The entertainment industry was perfect.

"I'll... consider it." Julian's masked smile widened. 'She's fascinating,' he thought. 'How could Ethan let someone like her go?'

The elevator reached the penthouse. Ethan's suite was impossible to miss - it took up the entire floor.

"Keep watch," Vivian ordered, tiptoeing toward the door. "Cough loudly if anyone comes."

Julian leaned casually against the wall. "So what's your plan here?"

"Plan?" Vivian narrowed her eyes. "We're divorced. He can date whoever he wants. I'm just... verifying rumors. Now hush." She pressed her ear against the door.

Julian chuckled. "You realize this is a five-star hotel, right? The walls are soundproof."

"Men are loud," Vivian insisted. "And I have excellent hearing." She gave a confident thumbs-up, pressing closer to the door.

"You're struggling." Julian reached over her head. "Let me help." He typed the access code.

The door swung open, sending Vivian tumbling inside.