Chapter 69

Ethan Blackwood's commanding presence made Walter Reynolds instinctively take a step back.

The flashing cameras gave him false courage. Surely the CEO wouldn't cause a scene with media present?

"What more could I want, dear nephew?" Walter cleared his throat dramatically. "My niece has been your devoted wife for years. Now you're throwing her away with just some measly company shares? How will she survive? The Blackwoods could afford to be more generous, don't you think?"

Gasps rippled through the crowd. Camera shutters clicked furiously.

"My poor niece is too shy to speak up, so she begged me all night to negotiate for her..."

"Let's make this simple. Seven million dollars and we vanish from your life forever!" Walter's greedy eyes gleamed.

"Walter Reynolds, shut your filthy mouth!" Vivian Lockhart hissed through clenched teeth.

His lies were destroying her reputation. She wanted to strangle him right there.

Vivian stole a glance at Ethan. To her surprise, he remained impassive - that same unreadable expression that intimidated everyone.

Towering like a god among mortals, he simply turned to his assistant. "Ethan Young, take him to Accounting."

Then he walked away without another word.

Just... like that?

Walter swallowed hard. He hadn't expected seven million to come so easily.

He'd actually brought a pocket knife, prepared to fake self-harm for blackmail purposes.

Had he known his nephew-in-law would be this compliant, he would've demanded twenty!

After a few steps, Ethan suddenly turned back. His icy gaze pinned Vivian, who stood frozen in confusion. "Aren't you coming?"

Snapping to attention, Vivian hurried after him.

Ethan calmly reintroduced Vivian to the visiting delegates as his wife.

Composing herself, Vivian greeted them with perfect poise. Her elegant demeanor earned admiring nods.

The meeting concluded smoothly with handshakes and photographs.

Vivian finally exhaled. Disaster averted.

If Walter had ruined this important visit, she'd never forgive herself - and neither would Ethan.

The elevator doors closed on the CEO's private lift, and all pretense of marital harmony vanished. Silence thickened the air between them.

As the elevator ascended, Vivian risked a sideways glance.

Ethan's expression could freeze hell itself.

She guessed he was furious. Walter's spectacle would undoubtedly damage both his reputation and Blackwood Group.

"About earlier..." She cleared her throat. "Walter's a parasite. Don't give him that money or he'll keep coming back for more."

Ethan didn't even look at her. "If you wanted more alimony, you should've asked directly instead of staging this pathetic charade."

So he did blame her!

Vivian opened her mouth but no words came. How could she possibly explain?

The elevator dinged at the executive floor.

Ethan strode out to find a handsome figure leaning against the floor-to-ceiling windows, smirking. "Finally done playing host, Mr. CEO? Got time for me now?"

Vivian's stomach dropped.

Perfect. Just when she thought things couldn't get worse.