Chapter 37

Vivian Lockhart remained perfectly composed under the weight of everyone's scrutinizing stares.

"Wait," she laughed lightly, "you can't seriously think I'm Scarlet Phoenix, can you?"

"I just stepped out to the restroom for a few minutes," she continued, feigning disbelief. "And in that time, I somehow transformed into a legendary hacker? How absurd! Should I light fireworks to celebrate this miraculous promotion?"

Ethan Young quickly jumped in. "It's obviously just a coincidence. Knowing Mrs. Blackwood, she's far too practical for such things. Her computer skills barely extend beyond streaming movies. She doesn't even play mobile games—if someone like her is Scarlet Phoenix, then I must be the damn Prime Minister!"

Though his words painted Vivian as painfully ordinary, they served their purpose. The tension in the room eased slightly as people nodded in agreement.

"Exactly," Vivian added sweetly, flashing an innocent smile. "Everyone knows how devoted I am to Nathaniel. If I were Scarlet Phoenix, I'd have moved heaven and earth to help him—never sabotage him."

"Is that so?" Nathaniel Blackwood's icy voice cut through the room. His piercing gaze locked onto her as he smirked. "Funny. I recall you've sabotaged me quite spectacularly before."

Vivian's smile stiffened. Damn him. Why did he always have to undermine her at the worst moments?

Nathaniel closed the distance between them in slow, deliberate steps. His fingers gripped her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes. His stare was relentless, dissecting every flicker of emotion on her face.

"So," he murmured, voice dangerously soft. "Are you Scarlet Phoenix?"

A flicker of unease passed through her. She could fool the others, but Nathaniel? He missed nothing.

She forced a coy smile. "If you believe I am, then I am. If not, then I'm not."

His lips curled in cold amusement. "How delightfully evasive."

Without warning, he held out his hand. "Give me your phone."

Her pulse spiked. In this digital age, a person's deepest secrets lived on their phone—and hers held far too many to risk exposure.

"That's a hard no," she said flatly, jerking her chin free. "My privacy isn't up for negotiation."

The standoff crackled between them like live wires. The spectators held their breaths, stunned. The docile Mrs. Blackwood was defying her husband?

Julian Blackthorn, who had been silently observing, suddenly grinned beneath his cap. Fascinating.

"Oh!" He slapped his forehead theatrically. "I just realized—my code was flawed this whole time!"

Turning to the crowd, he laughed sheepishly. "My apologies, everyone. False alarm! I'll fix it immediately—no more mistakes next time!"

The tension shattered like glass.

Vivian discreetly unclenched her fists. Her hacker identity was one thing, but if Nathaniel saw her phone? The pregnancy test results alone would unleash chaos.

Her eyes flicked to Julian, who winked at her like they shared a secret. Why was he helping her?

"Anyway," Julian announced cheerfully, "I can guarantee Mrs. Blackwood isn't Scarlet Phoenix. Want to know why?"

The room leaned in.

"Because," he said, smirk widening, "Scarlet Phoenix's coding is flawless—precise, elegant, perfection. Someone that brilliant would never waste time clinging to a cheating bastard."