Chapter 63

The entire VIP lounge went deathly silent.

No one had anticipated Vivian's sudden outburst. The delicate-looking woman had just revealed claws no one knew she possessed.

"My husband is absolute perfection. Who in their right mind would ever let him go?"

She punctuated her declaration by wrapping both arms possessively around Ethan's bicep, pressing close in a show of wifely devotion.

Pure theater, of course.

But this performance served her curiosity well. She needed confirmation of her suspicions.

The elegant woman on the sofa immediately averted her gaze, shoulders tensing.

Dominic's jaw visibly tightened.

Nathan sprang to the woman's defense, sneering, "What does it matter who ended things? If Olivia was Ethan's first love, she's clearly a hundred times the woman you'll ever be! Know your place - you're from completely different worlds. Why force this sham marriage? You're doing neither of you any favors!"

Dominic's usually warm eyes frosted over. "That's enough, Nathan," he warned, voice deceptively soft.

But Nathan barreled on like a petulant child. "Am I wrong? She's not fit to shine Olivia's shoes."

Olivia?

Vivian's eyebrow arched. So this was the legendary Olivia Sinclair.

"Don't be ridiculous, Nathan. You'll make our guests uncomfortable." Olivia finally lifted her head, offering Ethan and Vivian a gracious smile. "Nate, it's been too long."

"Indeed," Ethan replied evenly.

Olivia's delicate brows knitted together. "Are you still angry with Dominic and me? This is all my fault - I was so foolish, confusing friendship with love. I never meant to come between you two. I'm just so glad you're here tonight!"

"The past is irrelevant." Ethan's tone remained glacial, his striking features impassive. The distance between them might as well have been miles.

Nathan threw up his hands. "For God's sake, it's ancient history! Must we all act like strangers because of some teenage romance? We grew up together, for Christ's sake!"

Murmurs of agreement rippled through the group.

"Exactly! Dominic and Olivia are happy, and Mr. Blackwood clearly adores his wife. Everyone wins!"

Under mounting social pressure, Vivian found herself seated directly between Ethan and Olivia.

What a tableau.

Vivian's gaze flicked between the stone-faced billionaire on her right and the porcelain-skinned socialite on her left. An unexpected thrill shot through her.

His first love left him for his best friend? And now the victim was expected to play nice? The sheer audacity!

Who knew the formidable Nathaniel Blackwood harbored such heartbreak?

No wonder he'd dragged her here under false pretenses, offering obscene sums for this charade. Alone, this gathering would've been torture.

Her role as his fake wife suddenly felt like a sacred duty. The stakes had just skyrocketed.

'Don't worry, soon-to-be-ex-husband. As fellow members of the betrayed club, I'll make sure we dominate tonight.'

She flashed Olivia a dazzling smile. "Ms. Sinclair, I really must thank you."

Olivia blinked. "Pardon?"

"If you hadn't foolishly let this incredible man slip through your fingers, I'd never have gotten my chance." Vivian sighed dramatically, resting her head on Ethan's shoulder. "He's perfect - devastatingly handsome, generous beyond reason, an amazing cook. I hit the jackpot!"

Ethan sat ramrod straight, expression unreadable. He hadn't anticipated this level of commitment to the act.

Leaning in as if for an intimate whisper, he hissed through clenched teeth, "Rein it in. You're overdoing it."

Olivia's manicured fingers curled into her palms, her smile faltering.

Nathan seized the opportunity. "Damn right you should thank her! Do you even know who you're talking to? Without Olivia stepping aside, you'd still be waiting in line!"

Vivian's eyes sparkled with genuine curiosity. "Do enlighten me."