Chapter 3

"No," Vivian said. It had only been a slap. How could she be satisfied? Logan lifted the hand she'd used on him and pressed a light kiss to her knuckles. "Did it hurt your hand? When we get home, I'll ice it for you and give you a reasonable explanation, alright? Don't stay mad at me over someone insignificant." Vivian lowered her lashes. A flicker of sadness crossed her eyes. That was probably how men were. Unless she caught him in bed, he never admitted he was wrong. "Someone insignificant? You mean Ms. Mercer?" Vivian tilted her head and looked at Sloane. Sloane's face was pale. She stood there stiffly, like a mannequin, none of the earlier boldness left in her eyes. "Yes," Logan said firmly, without a second of hesitation. Sloane's face paled even more. When they walked out of the bridal boutique, Vivian headed toward her own car. Logan grabbed her hand and pulled her to his side, forceful and unyielding. "Get in my car. I'll drive you home." Vivian struggled once. He didn't loosen his grip at all. She couldn't shake him off, so she was dragged toward his car. Logan opened the passenger door. Resting on the gray-and-black seat was a pink-and-white hair clip. He calmly reached in, moved it aside, and acted like it was nothing. Vivian let out a cold laugh. "Want to check again? Make sure there aren't any other personal items in there. If I accidentally find lingerie later, I'm afraid I'll end up with nightmares." Logan had been holding himself together, but her words made him bristle like a man who'd just been hit where it hurt. "Vivian, do you have to think that way? I love you, but I won't indulge you. What happened today was the first time, and I want it to be the last. Whitfield Group is at a critical stage right now. My business partners aren't all going to be men. "You embarrassed Sloane today, and I let it go because she's just a junior employee. But if one day you start suspecting a woman with real status and you act this way again, how is Whitfield Group supposed to go further?" Vivian looked at him quietly, her clear eyes cold as ice. Only now did she realize how skilled Logan was at twisting things until she sounded like the problem. Vivian didn't argue with him, and she didn't get in his car. She turned around, got back into her own car, and drove away. Outside the bridal boutique, people moved in and out nonstop. Logan didn't chase after Vivian. He opened his car door with a grim expression. As he bent to get in, he saw Sloane walk out of the bridal boutique, her face still pale. He paused, then lifted his hand and waved. "Get in." Meanwhile, Vivian stared at the dented rear of the black luxury car in front of her. The license plate was a string of eights. She'd gotten distracted for a split second and kissed the back of his car. Rear-ending meant full responsibility. She had to pay for letting her mind wander. She opened her door, got out of the car, and hurried to apologize to the man getting out of the other car. "I'm sorry, I..." The driver glanced at her and didn't say a word. Instead, he respectfully opened the rear door. A tall figure stepped out. His shirt buttons were fastened all the way to the collar. Under his sharply defined features was an arrogant, untouchable coldness. The moment Vivian saw him, a memory flashed through her mind. She knew who he was. He was... Before she could say anything, he walked away. He leaned back against the roadside railing at an angle, holding his phone in his left hand as he took a call. A light breeze lifted his hair, briefly revealing his forehead. "Miss, once the car's fixed, contact me. I'll have you come pick it up." The driver handed Vivian a business card. Vivian stole a glance over there. The man stayed on the phone. It looked like the call wasn't going well. His brows were slightly drawn, and now and then, he reached out to tease a bird perched on the railing. Ten minutes later, an MPV pulled up. He got in quickly. The driver stayed behind to handle the details. Before leaving, the man looked over in Vivian's direction. She hurriedly turned her eyes away, suddenly feeling guilty for no reason at all. By the time everything was handled and all the information was recorded with the insurance company, it was already late at night when Vivian got home. During that time, Logan had sent her another message. She still didn't reply. She was exhausted. After washing up, she fell into bed and went under almost immediately. The next day, she scheduled showings through the home-listing platform for buyers who'd messaged her. She used the opportunity to toss out some of her things. Most of it was cheap little gifts Logan had given her back when they were students. She'd treasured them once. Now that she finally saw him clearly, she realized how flimsy everything had been, just like Logan himself. ... Three days later, when Logan came back, Vivian was in the yard tending to newly bloomed roses. He walked in from the gate, wrapped an arm around her waist from behind, and pressed close. "Honey, did you miss me?" Vivian gave a cold laugh. "You had a pretty woman keeping you company. Why would you need me to miss you? You probably just hoped I wouldn't think about you and ruin your fun." Her voice stayed flat as she slipped out of his arms the moment his attention wavered. The faint scent of a woman's perfume clung to him. It made her stomach turn. Logan reacted instantly. He caught her waist again and yanked her back into his chest. Even through his shirt, the heat of his solid build was unmistakable. Vivian struggled, but he held her tighter until she couldn't move. "I only love you. Stop it, alright?" He bent slightly and murmured in her ear, his voice low and coaxing. Vivian's fingers clenched hard. A rose thorn pierced her skin, and blood welled up, but the sting didn't come close to covering the disgust rising in her. Her hand dropped, and the rose stem slipped, scattering petals and leaves across the ground. Logan seemed to notice. He lifted her hand, saw the injury, and frowned. He lowered his head as if to suck the blood from her finger. The moment his warm lips touched her skin, Vivian's expression changed sharply. How could he spend three days tangled up with Sloane, then come back and act devoted to her without missing a beat? She had no idea how many times those lips had kissed Sloane. It was too filthy. Her body reacted before her mind caught up. Vivian slapped Logan across his refined face. Her palm went numb. Logan didn't move. He only stared at her, his expression darkened, his eyes colder than she had ever seen.