Chapter 45

Ethan Roscente's stomach twisted with sharp pains.

He clenched his jaw, forcing himself to endure until dinner ended.

Julian Cortez stood up. "Let me drive you home, Vivian."

"Sure." Vivian Laurent deliberately raised her voice, her peripheral vision catching Ethan's pale face.

She walked out of the restaurant without looking back.

At the corner, Vivian suddenly stopped.

"Viv?" Julian watched in confusion as she headed toward a pharmacy.

At the glass counter, Vivian pointed decisively at two boxes of antacids. "For him."

Julian took the medicine. "Mr. Roscente?"

"Don't let him die in the restaurant." Her tone was icy. "Don't tell him it's from me."

Julian hesitated. "You two—"

"I'd buy medicine for a stray dog too." Vivian cut him off. "Hurry up."

"But you alone—"

"I'll take a cab." She waved him away. "I'll have someone contact you tomorrow about the collaboration."

In the private dining room, beads of sweat formed on Ethan's forehead.

"Mr. Roscente." Julian handed him the pills. "Antacids."

Ethan looked up sharply. "Did she tell you to buy these?"

"I bought them." Julian maintained his composure.

The medicine took effect quickly.

Ethan's phone lit up with Sophia Evans's incoming call.

"Did you succeed?" Her cheerful voice came through.

"Yes." Ethan answered curtly.

Sophia immediately called Victoria Roscente.

"Julian agreed!" she exclaimed excitedly.

Victoria logged into the company account and posted a silhouette of a mysterious spokesperson.

Fan groups exploded instantly.

"It's him!"

"Julian's taking an endorsement?"

When the news reached Amy, she was organizing files.

"Vivian!" She burst into the office. "Vine Perfumes stole Julian?"

Vivian raised an eyebrow and clicked the link.

Victoria's company logo stared back at her.

"So that's their game." She chuckled.

Amy stomped her foot anxiously. "What do we do?"

"Julian already signed."

"For how long?"

"Guess."

"Six months? A year?"

Vivian set down her pen. "Lifetime."

The office fell silent.

Amy's eyes widened. "L...lifetime?"

"Problem?"

"This is amazing!" Amy nearly hyperventilated. "This is an industry first!"

Vivian gazed out the window.

Neon lights flickered in the night.