Chapter 241

Ethan's expression remained completely unreadable.

"I'm so sorry, I must have been out of my mind last night." Vivian's cheeks burned crimson as she avoided his gaze. Her voice barely rose above a whisper. "I have no explanation for my behavior..."

She took a shaky breath. "Let's pretend this never happened. I'll compensate you financially if you delete that recording. Deal?"

Ethan's lips curled into a sardonic smile. "Do I look like someone who needs your money?"

"Obviously not!"

"Then drop that ridiculous idea." His fingers tapped against his phone screen meaningfully. "Focus on finding other ways to make this up to me. Otherwise, this footage stays right where it is."

Vivian sat up abruptly, eyes flashing. "What else could you possibly want? Don't push your luck!"

She grabbed her own phone with trembling hands. "For your information, I have a video of your drunken antics too! Leak mine, and I'll release yours. We'll go down together!"

Ethan studied her for a long moment before shrugging. They dressed in tense silence, both pretending last night's events hadn't happened.

Vivian ran fingers through her tangled hair. "Seriously though... what came over me? I'd never act like that normally."

Ethan adjusted his cufflinks. "The soup."

"The what?"

"That minestrone contained hallucinogenic mushrooms in large quantities. You ate three bowls." His mouth twitched. "Explains the imaginary tiny people... the floating weed... the talking jelly."

Vivian frowned. "But you had some too! You seemed fine."

"Two spoonfuls versus your three bowls." He arched an eyebrow. "Though I did start seeing things toward the end."

"Why's that?"

Ethan gave her a look that made her stomach flip. "That kiss lasted too long."

Vivian buried her face in her hands with a groan. If the car floor could swallow her whole, she'd welcome it.

As the engine purred to life, scenery blurred past the windows. Ethan's eyes met hers in the rearview mirror. "About what you said earlier..."

"Hmm?"

"That comment about your stomach." His grip tightened on the steering wheel. "What did you mean by that?"

Vivian's throat went dry. "Oh! That!" She forced a laugh. "Look at me! I've gained so much weight. How could you still find this attractive?"

Ethan exhaled sharply, shoulders relaxing. "Is that all?" For a moment, he'd feared something far more serious - especially after those paparazzi shots of her visiting a gynecologist with Liam.

"You have put on some weight," he remarked casually. "Might want to cut back on desserts."

"Excuse me?" Vivian huffed, but couldn't argue. She crossed her arms and glared out the window.

The unfamiliar landscape finally registered. She spun toward Ethan. "Where exactly are you taking me?"