Rising from Betrayal

Chapter 010

She picked up her wine glass.

"Come on. Let's drink. Don't let him ruin the night."

The tension gradually faded.

The background music shifted to something livelier, the wine went into its third bottle, and the conversation found its flow again between laughter and old stories.

But Vivienne wasn't fully there.

Every few minutes, her eyes drifted to her phone on the table—screen dark, no notifications, no missed calls.

She had already made up her mind.

The moment Norman called, she'd hang up.

No matter how desperately he apologized or begged for forgiveness, she wouldn't give him the chance.

Hoverever, half an hour passed.

Then another.

Still nothing.

Her brows slowly knitted together.

Why hadn't he called yet?

What was that idiot actually thinking?!

That wasn’t like Norman.

Whenever they argued, he was always the first to give in. Always the first to apologize.

But tonight... there was nothing.

Enough.

Vivienne grabbed her phone, pressed Norman's name, and held it to her ear.

Just wait.

You went too far tonight, and I'm going to make you regret every word you said.

The call connected—

"The number you have dialed cannot be reached or is currently unavailable—"

Vivienne froze.

Unavailable?!

She called again.

Same result.

The blood rose in Vivienne's face by a full degree.

Norman! You actually blocked my number?!

The grip around her phone tightened until her knuckles turned white.

Good.

Very good.

Norman...

You're dead when I get home.

Getting on your knees won't be enough this time.

I’ll make you slap yourself until your face swelled!

What Vivienne didn't know was that Norman had already gone to bed.

Earlier that evening, he'd spent less than an hour reorganizing the company's plans for the next several months.

Projects that would fail...

He canceled.

Investments that would soar...

He secured ahead of everyone else.

Potential partners who would betray the company...

He crossed off the list without hesitation.

With the memories of his previous life, every major market shift and business opportunity was already etched into his mind.

What would have taken months of trial and error had been settled in a single evening.

For Norman, building a business empire this time around was only a matter of following the roadmap he had already lived once.

And with the divorce finally within reach...

Sleep came easier than it had in years.

Meanwhile, the staff W******p group at Grand Corholt Tower was exploding.

Housekeeping Staff 40–42—a group that included all staff serving the top three penthouses on Floors 40-42.

Security_Bram: BREAKING NEWS! Mrs. Vivienne's belongings are being moved out tonight!

Three typing indicators popped up almost instantly.

Serena_41A: Wait... Seriously?? The REAL Mrs. Calloway?

Security_Bram: Yep. Mr. Calloway’s order. Her access card’s been revoked too.

Housekeeper_Vienna: Oh my. I thought it was just another one of their usual dramas.

Receptionist_Danis: Confirmed. Access card disabled. Parking privileges revoked. Mrs Walker is supervising everything herself.

Security_Bram: Looks like Mr. Calloway finally snapped.

The messages flooded in one after another.

Within minutes, nearly everyone on the staff had heard the news.

---

As the clock neared 4:30 am, the party finally began to wind down.

Some guests called for their drivers.

Others stretched after hours of drinking.

By now, Camille had finally recovered from the shock of being cursed at over the phone.

She slipped besided Vivienne with a knowing smile, giving a subtle nod toward Nathan.

"This is fate, Viv."

“Nathan finally came back. You really don’t want to waste a night like this, do you?”

Vivienne’s gaze drifted toward Nathan.

He was every bit as handsome as she remembered.

For a brief moment, her heart stirred.

Then Norman's face flashed through her mind.

No.

At least, not tonight.

First... she had to deal with Norman!

The fact that he still hadn’t called or apologized hurt her pride far more deeply than she was willing to admit.

Fine.

If he wanted to embarrass her...

She'd humiliate him ten times harder.

Vivienne slowly rose to her feet, lifting her wine glass with an elegant smile—polished, sharp, the kind that belonged to someone used to looking perfectly fine.

"It's almost dawn. Why don't we continue at my place? The view's better than here."

"I'll have Mrs. Walker prepare breakfast."

"And..."

A faint smile curved her lips.

"Norman’s been saving a few bottles of 1961 Château Latour."

"We'll open one."

What she didn't say—but everyone at the table was sharp enough to pick up: look how far I've come. Look at the luxury life I have.

Nathan's eyes immediately lit up.

Perfect.

He’d been disappointed not getting the chance to humiliate Norman in person tonight.

Looks like fate had arranged another opportunity.

"I like that idea. I've always wanted to meet your husband."

The smile on his lips deepened.

Standing in front of Norman...

Laughing with Vivienne.

Getting just a little too close, his hands on her soft hips.

The thought alone was enough to excite him.