hapter 3: Choose Money, or the Right to See Her Son?
Lucien Dragne’s lips curled slightly, his entire demeanor softening in an instant. “I was once your patient.”
Vivienne Snow frowned slightly. “I’m sorry, but I don’t remember.“
She had a sharp memory, yet she had no recollection of the man standing before her.
“My name is Lucien Dragne.” He extended a hand toward her.
Out of politeness, Vivienne almost reached out–but this was a crucial moment in her divorce.Maintaining distance from other men was best.
She pretended not to notice and offered a natural smile. “”Mr. Dragne, I have something to take care of right now.”
“A divorce, right?” Lucien said calmly. “I happen to be waiting for someone to get married.“As he spoke, he lowered his head slightly, his gaze locked
onto her.
His almond–shaped eyes carried a striking light brown hue–bright and piercing, as if he had loved her for many years.
Vivienne felt like she was overthinking things. She quickly looked away and took a step back to widen the distance between them.
“In that case, to avoid any misunderstandings with your future wife, you should stay further away from me.”
“Alright.”
Lucien’s lips quirked up again. With his strikingly sharp features, he should have looked intimidating, yet at that moment, he seemed almost
obedient.
Vivienne suddenly felt like she was being overly cautious. They were standing less than six feet apart–a reasonable, safe distance.
Just then, another car pulled up.Devin West stepped out,
Beside him was Riley Hart, her expression just as unpleasant-
“Vivienne, I never thought you’d be such a greedy whore.
face
as thunder.
-though her
eyes shone with undisguised triumph.
Gone was the refined scholar persona–Devin was now openly spewing filth.
Vivienne stared at the face she had once longed for, now looking so unfamiliar.
He tossed a contract and a bank card at her feet, his expression cold and arrogant.“But you’ll sign this non–disclosure agreement. You’ll take this secret to the grave.”
“There’s no turning back now. You don’t deserve to be
She had expected a confidentiality clause, but she hadn’t thought they would
A billion dollars was no small amount.
my wife.
Even if you beg me,
Vivienne let out a soft scoff. She picked up the contract and flipped through. Riley, she would owe three times the penalty fee–three billion dollars.
it’s
useless.”
T
As exed, it stated that if she ever exposed Devin’s affair with
agree
to the
money so
easily,
Vivienne had never been materialistic–she had only demanded compensation to spite the West family for wasting her years.
But for them to give in so quickly… something was off
Even if Devin was willing, his stingy family wouldn’t have agreed so easily.
Vivienne reread the contract multiple times. It all seemed normal, but her instincts told her something was wrong.
“I need to check if the money is really in this account.”
Devin sneered, “I expected you to. Go ahead. I don’t want you making excuses later to cling to me.”
Riley covered her mouth and giggled. “Enjoy it while it lasts. This will be the only time in your life you’ll ever have real money.”
Their words and expressions were completely normal. But Vivienne knew something was wrong
She scanned the streets. No suspicious activity. Then, she crossed the road to a nearby ATM,
“Is everything set?” Devin muttered.
Riley grinned sweetly. “Don’t worry, Devin. I won’t let that woman take a single cent from the West family.”
“Hurry it up,” Devin urged “Vivienne is clingy. If she starts asking for more or tries to worm her way back into the family, it’ll be a hassle.”
Their voices were low- But Lucien, standing nearby, heard everything clearly. His smirk deepened.
Vivienne checked the ATM balance. The money was there. A full billion dollars. Yet, her heart clenched with unease.
As she turned back toward the road, she scanned the seemingly empty street. Her mind was suddenly flooded with news reports of fatal accidents. A chill crawled up her spine.
If she died right now, all that money would go straight back to the West fumily.
“Vivienne, hurry up! The Civil Affairs Bureau is about to close,” Devin snapped impatiently.
“Yes, sister, come sign the contract already!” Riley chimed in sweetly.
Vivienne took a deep breath, but her feet felt like they were made of lead.
Soming
1054
Chapter 3: Choose Money, or the Right to See Her Son?
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Lucien. At some point, he had crossed the street and was now standing about six feet away from her–as if
waiting.
If a car did speed toward her, Lucien would be in danger, too.
But… hadn’t he said he was waiting for someone to get married? Why had he suddenly come to the other side of the street?
Before she could think further, Lucien stepped onto the pedestrian crossing. Vivienne’s instincts screamed at her.
Without hesitation, she followed. Her fists clenched, ready to react at any moment.
Her heart pounded violently. Thump. Thump. Thump. Each step felt impossibly heavy, Yet–The cars followed traffic laws.
She reached the other side unscathed. Maybe she had been overthinking.
Across the street, Devin’s expression darkened in surprise. “What the hell?”
Riley’s phone buzzed with a message. Her face twisted in frustration. “Damn it! My uncle’s car is jammed in the street. He can’t get here in time.”
Seeing Devin’s deepening scowl, she quickly soothed him.“Don’t worry, there will be other chances. Even if she divorces you, she’s still Danny’s mother. She has no family of her own, so her inheritance will still belong to Danny. That billion will still belong to the West family.”
Devin’s expression eased. As a reward, he gently squeezed Riley’s hand.
“Riley, you’re the only woman worthy of being my wife.” Together, the two of them acted like nothing had happened—no malice, no scheming.
Just as Vivienne returned, Devin sneered. “You were scared just crossing the street? Pathetic. I can’t believe I ever liked you.”
Vivienne ignored him. Instead, she glanced at the man who had walked across the street just al.ead of her. She didn’t say anything, but deep down, she was grateful.
Flipping through the contract once more and confirming that nothing had changed, she finally took out a pen. Her slow, deliberate movements
made Devin scoff.
“Still hesitating? It’s too late to back out now. “Vivienne signed her name.“Not hesitating at all.”
Devin pursed his lips. He was convinced she was still putting on an act.
The three of them entered the Civil Affairs Bureau. Devin added two more conditions:
First, she was not allowed to see him again.
Second, she was not allowed to see their son again.
“If you return the billion, my mother might let you see Danny from afar. But you’re not allowed to interfere in his life,” Devin said smugly. If she had any self–awareness, she would give up the money.
Then, he would graciously allow her to exist, Vivienne signed without hesitation. “I’ll take the money.”
Devin immediately signed as well, his eyes filled with cold contempt.
“I’ll wait and see how long you can keep up this act.‘
The two had grown up together as childhood sweethearts, and though they had their fair share of arguments, it was always Vivienne who took the initiative to make amends.
She had once worshipped Devin like a god, always wanting to be close to him. Over the years, it was always her reaching out first–just a single reply from him was enough to make her happy for a whole month.
A bitter taste filled Vivienne’s heart. If not for her husband’s betrayal and her son’s rejection, she might have continued to endure it all.
The most ridiculous part? After all these years together, Devin still never understood her principles.
With the West family’s background and their years of separation, the divorcing process was seamless.
Devin received his divorce certificate and immediately prepared to marry Riley.
Vivienne paid them no mind and walked outside.
Snowflakes drifted down from the sky.
Carboro city’s winters were always bitterly cold. A tall figure remained in the same spot. Snow had already gathered on his broad shoulders, frost clinging to his long, dark lashes, He blinked. His light brown eyes glowed brightly.
“You waited all this time.” Vivienne said as she approached. “Did the person you were waiting for stand you up?”
Vivienne murmured as she walked closer, tilting her umbrella slightly toward him in a subtle gesture of gratitude.
She hesitated for a moment, then pursed her lips before cautiously asking, “Did she… stand you up?”
The man lowered his gaze. His features were sharp, exuding an innate sense of power and aggression. Yet at this moment, he looked almost……
forlorn
He said nothing And yet, it felt like he had said everything.
A sudden pang of guilt hit Vivienne–she regretted asking. It felt like she had stabbed him in the heart.
Before she could say anything else, he reached out. His fingers lightly gripped the top of the umbrella handle polite, yet firm, leaving no room for rejection. Then, he pulled it from her grasp and held it above both their heads.
Lucien spoke, his voice low and unwavering You Marry Me.”
