Chapter 71

Vivian Laurent returned triumphantly from the International Perfumery Awards.

Her phone rang the moment she stepped off the plane.

"Let's grab drinks!" Isabella Langley's energetic voice chirped through the receiver.

"Just got back. Exhausted." Vivian massaged her temples.

"I don't care!" Isabella whined. "None of those foreign hunks were half as fun as you."

Vivian chuckled. "Fine. The usual place?"

Nightfall Lounge's parking lot overflowed with luxury vehicles.

Isabella circled the lot three times in her red sports car before spotting an empty space.

As she began reversing, a black Maybach cut in and stole the spot.

"Asshole!" Isabella slammed her steering wheel.

The window rolled down, revealing Felix Valdemar's smug face. "Don't blame others for your terrible parking skills."

"Felix?" Isabella gritted her teeth. "You'll regret this!"

Inside the lounge, Vivian already had drinks waiting.

"That bastard!" Isabella stormed in, downing her cocktail in one gulp.

"Who angered our precious Isabella?" Vivian arched an eyebrow.

"Who else?" She rolled her eyes. "That arrogant prick Felix!"

Vivian slid her a fresh drink. "Tell me about your European escapades?"

Isabella's eyes lit up as she launched into travel stories.

"What about you?" She leaned in suddenly. "Any progress with Ethan Roscente?"

Vivian swirled her glass. "He only knows me as Night."

"That's it?" Isabella pouted. "Is the man blind?"

"In his memory, Vivian Laurent is an ugly, foolish woman." Vivian smiled wryly. "Why would he connect the dots?"

Isabella lowered her voice. "Maybe you should—"

Felix appeared at the lounge entrance, cutting her off.

Isabella immediately straightened, her gaze turning sharp.

Felix strode to their section, taking the adjacent booth.

"Ugh!" Isabella muttered under her breath.

Vivian observed their tension while sipping her drink.

"Oh," Isabella remembered suddenly. "Do you need more funding for that real estate project?"

Vivian shook her head. "Still working on financing."

Their conversation was interrupted by Felix's loud laughter.

Isabella snapped. She grabbed her glass and marched over.

"Sir," she said with a fake smile. "Mind keeping your volume down in public?"

Felix looked up with a taunting grin. "Since when did you become the manners police?"

As they began arguing, Vivian quickly pulled Isabella away.

"Don't bother," Vivian murmured. "Let's go somewhere else."

Isabella continued fuming as they exited.

Vivian glanced back at the lounge's neon sign, lost in thought.

Neither noticed Ethan Roscente watching their departure from a second-floor window, his expression icy.