Chapter 18
Earlier, when Milo first saw Derek in the office—multitasking with a finesse only he could manage, conducting a video conference while neatly slicing fruit—the image struck him as both bizarrely whimsical and inexplicably captivating. What caught him off guard wasn't just the meticulousness with which Derek arranged the fruit, but the unexpected instruction to personally deliver it to Vivienne. Having served as Derek's assistant for years, he'd never witnessed his boss go out of his way for anyone. The idea of Derek peeling fruit for someone was absurd enough, but for a woman? That was uncharted territory.
Yet, Vivienne's demeanor had rewritten the script Milo had grown accustomed to. As Derek's subordinate, he had long mastered the art of handling the imperious tones of entitled heirs and heiresses, their commands often flung with all the delicacy of a catapult. Even when people showed him courtesy, it was always in deference to Derek, never a reflection of genuine respect. Vivienne, however, was different. There was an unaffected sincerity in the way she treated him, as though he were just another human being, and not a mere cog in the machinery of someone else's ambition.
After completing his errand, Milo returned to the office, clutching a report he had compiled. After some deliberation, he stepped forward, hesitantly offering it to Derek. “Sir, would you like to review this?”
Derek's gaze lifted, razor-sharp and unwavering, slicing through Milo like a blade poised to unearth secrets. Milo felt his pulse quicken, the back of his shirt clinging to his skin as a cold sweat broke out. Steeling himself, he explained cautiously, “There are some unfavorable rumors about Miss Hayes, so I took the liberty of investigating them.”
Without a flicker of hesitation, Derek took the report, shredded it with an air of utter indifference, and dismissed him curtly. “Save your ingenuity for something worthwhile.” The casual iciness in his tone carried an authority that froze Milo in his tracks. “Yes, sir,” he replied, his head bowed in acknowledgment.
Milo knew he’d overstepped. Reading a superior's intentions was one thing, but assuming the right to act on them without instruction? That was a huge mistake. However, given that Vivienne's reputation was less than stellar, Milo had only acted out of concern, fearing the rumors might stir unnecessary trouble for Derek. But the look in Derek's eyes was resolute—he wasn’t interested in hearing any whispers, true or false.
Breaking the tense silence, Derek's voice rang out, steady and decisive. “I trust her.” The words stunned Milo. In all his years working alongside Derek, he’d never seen his boss extend such unguarded faith to anyone, let alone a woman. His stance made it clear he wasn’t just interested in Vivienne; he was determined to win her over.
“Make sure her meals are delivered punctually,” Derek instructed. “And keep those baseless rumors far away from her.”
“Yes, sir,” Milo responded, fully aware of how monumental this directive was.
In the days that followed, Milo made it his mission to deliver meals to Vivienne with unwavering precision. Sienna, ever the self-appointed commentator of unfolding dramas, had her own thoughts on the matter. “That man’s a professional.”
“A professional at what?” Vivienne asked, glancing up from her work as Sienna lounged on the sofa, casually munching on an apple.
“An expert in mind games,” Sienna quipped with exaggerated gravity. “Even when he’s not physically here, he’s orchestrating everything. The man’s got you dancing to his tune, whether you realize it or not.”
Vivienne’s brow furrowed at the observation, the words lingering uncomfortably in her mind. Derek’s unwavering determination loomed in her thoughts, an unshakable presence that left her feeling cornered. She knew she needed to act quickly to fulfill her promise to Margot. Once that was done, she could settle the debt of gratitude for the meals and finally untangle herself from Derek’s relentless orbit.
With a moment’s hesitation, Vivienne picked up her phone, opening her chat with Derek. Carefully, she typed, “Do you have time today? If it’s alright with your grandmother, I’d like to visit and chat with her.”