"None of your business.""None of my—" Vivian sputtered, her face reddening. How dared he dismiss her like this? "Everything about you is my business! Now explain why you attacked Jackson!""Your precious brother?" Louis's voice turned cold. "He got exactly what he deserved."Victoria gasped from her seat. The audacity!"You worthless piece of trash!" Vivian exploded."You're nothing but a loser who got lucky enough to marry into our family. How dare you touch my brother?""A loser?" Louis's voice carried dangerous undertones."Tell me, Vivian, is your brother somehow untouchable? Does his Howard bloodline give him the right to attack others without consequences?""Of course it does!" Vivian declared without thinking. "You should feel honored that Jackson even acknowledges your existence!"Did she really just say that? Louis couldn’t help but sneered coldly."So I should just stand there and let him assault me?""Yes! That's exactly what you should do!" Vivian's voice rose

Victoria’s eyes gleamed immediately. She took the card carefully, doing her best to maintain a look of modest reluctance.“Oh, Vivian, you’re too generous. I hate to take so much from you, but... well, if you insist.”Vivian smiled, feeling a small surge of satisfaction.This was how the rich handle things—effortlessly and with class. “Consider it a small price to pay to rid ourselves of Louis’s pathetic attachment to that ring.”Victoria’s smile was sly, though she masked it with a look of maternal concern. “Thank you, darling. But… there’s something else that worries me.”“What?” Vivian asked, her tone laced with impatience.Victoria leaned closer, her voice lowering to a conspiratorial whisper.“I’m afraid Louis might not stop at just pestering you. He’s... well, he hinted he’d keep bothering us until you either marry him again or... compensate him.”Vivian’s eyes flashed with indignation.“Compensate him? He’s out of his mind. What does he think I owe him? I gave him everythin

Ben settled into his chair with practiced grace. "I've finalized all the wedding preparations for next week.""Neckor Island," Ben announced, a slight smirk playing at his lips.Victoria frowned slightly."What makes it so special?"She had never heard of it.However, Vivian gasped audibly. "Did you just say... Neckor Island?" Her voice trembled with excitement. "The actual Neckor Island? The Grandest Island ever?""The very same," Ben confirmed, watching her reaction with calculated pleasure."Mother!" Vivian exclaimed, practically jumping from her seat. "How can you not know about Neckor Island?”“It's only the most prestigious wedding venue in the entire world!""Not just anyone can host their wedding there. It requires... certain qualifications.""The minimum cost for a wedding there is one billion dollars."Vivian explained with unspeakable joy, tears streaming down her face. "Indeed, and the richest man in the world, Terminator X himself owns Neckor Island," Ben interject

Ben emerged first, handing his keys to the valet before helping Vivian out with an exaggerated flourish. The moment she stepped onto the pavement, her designer heels clicking against marble, her eyes narrowed at Louis's figure."Oh my god, Ben, look who's here!" Vivian's voice dripped with theatrical disgust."The stalker himself!"Ben's arm wrapped possessively around her waist. "What a coincidence. Again.""Coincidence?" Vivian threw her head back with an exaggerated laugh. “No, Ben, you’re wrong. He’s definitely stalking me!”"First my brother, now me?” “You just can't help yourself, can you, Louis?"“Do you know how the word SHAMELESS spells?!”Louis shifted his takeout bag, his expression unchanging. “Which eye did you see me stalking you with?”“Can you stop being narcissistic?”Vivian glared at Louis with anger.“Oh, I see. You have the guts to do it, but not to admit it, right?”Louis glanced back at her indifferently, his expression cold."Believe what you want. I'm he

"The delusion is strong with this one," Ben smirked."Why would Terminator X tell YOU anything?" Vivian's voice rose with vicious glee. "You're nothing but a wannabe rich guy delivering takeout! God, this is pathetic even for you, Louis!"Louis remained silent, his mind drifting briefly to memories of Neckor Island.The pristine beaches, the exclusive villas, the private meetings..."What's wrong? Cat got your tongue?" Vivian preened, mistaking his silence for defeat. "Well, let me tell you something special again - my wedding will be held at Neckor Island. Yes, at the most prestigious wedding venue in the world!""And guess what?"She continued, practically bouncing with satisfaction."Terminator X will personally give us their blessing. That's right - while you're here making up stories about private suites, I'll be receiving a wedding gift from the wealthiest person in the world!"Louis's face remained impassive, which only fueled Vivian's aggressive triumph.Her eyes glittered