Chapter 118

Vivienne Archer trembled with rage.

She pointed sharply at the door. "Get out!" Her voice shook with suppressed fury. "I never want to see you again."

Owen Archer adjusted his cuffs leisurely. "Let's part ways amicably." His gaze was icy. "Stay away from Serena."

"Hah!" Vivienne scoffed. "You think you can control me after breaking up?" She clenched her fists. "That bitch—I'll beat her up every time I see her!"

Taking a deep breath, her eyes reddened. "And you, you cheating scum—I won’t let you off either."

Seven years of her youth, her family’s investments—all wasted on this man.

How dare he end things so casually?

Owen’s expression darkened. "You’ve lost your mind."

"Watch yourself." With those final words, he turned and left without looking back.

The moment the door closed, Vivienne’s tears finally overflowed.

She bit her lip hard, refusing to let a single sob escape.

Half an hour later, she wiped her tears, fixed her makeup, and strode out of the restaurant in her heels.

Turning the steering wheel, she headed straight for her usual bar.

......

"Aria, free tonight?" Elise’s voice came through the phone.

Aria Bennett was removing her makeup. "What’s up?"

"Want to grab drinks?" Elise sounded cheerful. "I haven’t been out in ages."

Aria wiped off the last trace of eyeliner. "Sure, send me the address."

Thirty minutes later, the two settled into a corner booth.

Elise sipped her cocktail. "This feels amazing."

Just as Aria was about to reply, she caught a familiar figure at the entrance from the corner of her eye.

Two men were dragging a woman in sunglasses toward the parking lot.

"Em, wait here." Aria stood immediately.

She hurried outside just in time to overhear their conversation.

"Jackpot—it’s Vivienne Archer."

"Snap some photos. We can blackmail her later."

Aria’s eyes turned cold. With a flick of her fingers—

"Ah! Ghost!" The men suddenly screamed and fled.

Aria helped the unconscious Vivienne up and texted Elise.

"What’s going on?" Elise rushed over.

"Friend had too much to drink," Aria explained briefly. "I’ll take her home."

After ensuring Elise left safely, Aria took Vivienne to a hotel.

A sip of the talisman-laced water later, Vivienne jolted awake.

"Where am I?" She sat up in panic, relaxing only when she saw Aria.

"Remember now?" Aria handed her a glass of water.

As memories flooded back, Vivienne paled.

"Thank you," she whispered, voice trembling. "If it weren’t for you..."

Aria patted her shoulder. "Don’t drink alone next time."

Vivienne nodded hard, tears falling again.

In that moment, she suddenly saw everything clearly.