Chapter 451

Sophia did everything she could to push them together.

William nodded enthusiastically. "Miss Lockhart, just try being playful with Mr. Blackwood," he urged.

"Trust me, no man can resist when you do that."

"Yeah, go for it!"

Sophia clapped excitedly, egging Vivian on.

But Vivian hesitated, standing frozen in place. Minutes passed, and she still hadn’t moved.

It wasn’t that she didn’t know how to be playful—she’d done it before. But with Nathaniel... she just couldn’t force herself.

Nathaniel saw her struggle. A flicker of hurt crossed his face, but he masked it instantly.

"Enough," he said sternly. "You two are getting too bold, joking about your elders like this. Do you still want that wedding to happen by the end of the month?"

His sharp tone silenced both Sophia and William.

Changing the subject, Nathaniel turned to Sophia. "Didn’t you say you had a surprise for Vivian? Where is it?"

"Patience," Sophia smirked, checking her watch. "Ten, nine, eight, seven..."

At "one," the restaurant erupted with upbeat music. A group of stunning young men took the stage, moving in perfect sync.

"Viv, meet the Nova Boys—Korshach’s hottest idol group. TV stations and businessmen have been begging for them, but I pulled some major strings to get them here just for you. This is their debut performance in our country. So? How’s the view?"

Sophia grinned, knowing exactly what Vivian liked.

No one understood Vivian better than her best friend.

Men enjoyed beautiful women—why shouldn’t women enjoy beautiful men?

The Nova Boys were flawless—tall, sculpted, and radiating charisma. Vivian was instantly mesmerized, jumping to her feet and cheering. "Yes! That move! You’re all so gorgeous! Look at those cheekbones!"

"Right? That silver-haired one—his lips look like they were made to be kissed!" Sophia gushed.

The two women huddled together, completely absorbed in the performance, their eyes sparkling with excitement.

In the corner, Nathaniel’s expression darkened, but he couldn’t make a scene—that would make him look petty.

William wasn’t thrilled either.

He’d only been playing along with Sophia for his mission. But seeing her drool over another man stirred something ugly inside him.

He needed to wrap this up fast—before he actually fell for her.

Unable to hold back, William grabbed Sophia’s chin, forcing her to look at him. "Sophia, stop. If you want a show, I’ll dance for you. No more staring at other men."

Nathaniel wanted to do the same to Vivian—but he had no right.

His love for her was so painfully humble that he couldn’t even claim the privilege of jealousy.

Then Vivian’s phone rang, shattering the moment.

"Miss Lockhart, something terrible has happened!" Evelyn’s panicked voice trembled through the speaker, her words nearly drowned by tears.