Chapter 400

"Seriously?"

Vivian's curiosity ignited instantly.

While investigating Dominic Pascal earlier, she'd casually traced the top donor's IP address. The location pinged back to Blackwood Group headquarters. The mastermind behind the account was obvious.

The thought of Nathaniel Blackwood - that perpetually arrogant CEO - simping so hard just to see her shattered his icy reputation completely. She couldn't wait to tease him about it.

"Tell him to wait. I'm on my way."

Vivian powered down her computer, stretched her arms with a satisfied sigh, and headed for Skyview Restaurant.

"Viv! Over here!"

Emily waved excitedly from the entrance. Having achieved financial freedom from a single viral livestream, she'd splurged on booking the entire Skyview for the evening - no small feat for Newport City's most exclusive dining establishment.

Vivian stepped out of her car, the evening breeze catching her loose curls. She'd pinned them to one side with a diamond-encrusted hairpin today. Her Klein blue chiffon blouse paired with white wide-leg trousers and silver stilettos gave her an effortlessly elegant silhouette that turned heads.

"Damn, Viv! Looking like you walked straight off a Milan runway today." Emily whistled appreciatively, almost hesitant to approach her radiant friend.

"Flattery will get you everywhere," Vivian laughed, linking arms with Emily. "How long has Nathaniel been waiting? This sudden generosity feels suspicious."

"Mr. Blackwood?" Emily blinked in confusion. "Oh no, it's not him."

"Not him?"

"Nope. Some other ridiculously handsome guy - way more approachable than Mr. Ice King over there. Though..." Emily tapped her chin thoughtfully, "he's got this wild, untamed vibe that screams 'fun fling' rather than 'marriage material'."

At her age, Emily had zero immunity to good looks. Nathaniel had always topped her personal ranking... until tonight. Still, she remained pragmatic. "Definitely boyfriend material, but if we're talking long-term? Mr. Blackwood wins hands down."

"If you applied this analytical skills to your studies, your dad would throw a parade." Vivian pinched Emily's cheeks affectionately.

Learning it wasn't Nathaniel barely fazed her - if anything, it deepened the mystery.

Skyview Restaurant's claim to fame was its location atop the 336-meter Newport Tower. The fifteen-minute elevator ride to the 520-meter-high dining room offered panoramic views of the city below.

Locals called it the "Tower of True Love." Legend claimed soulmates would inevitably cross paths here.

The glass elevator walls revealed the glittering cityscape as they ascended.

"Viv, you know they say if you miss someone desperately, you'll see them here?" Emily sighed dramatically. "Isn't that the most romantic thing ever?"