Chapter 29

[You’re probably busy at work, so I didn’t bother calling you. We’ll have dinner in the mansion tomorrow. I won’t take no for an answer.]

The message came from her father, Alfred. She didn't expect him to text her. He often pestered her with calls, especially when he had something important to say, so she was surprised, especially by the mention of "dinner." It just didn't sound right to her.

"Excuse me, I'm just going to the bathroom," Vivianne said to Fiona, who simply nodded. Fiona didn't even look at her and kept her gaze fixed on Beckett, the manager.

Vivianne only shrugged. Ever since she started working at Syneverse Entertainment as a dress stylist, Fiona had been distant, or maybe just neutral towards her. However, Fiona did praise her when she did a good job.

She wondered if Fiona knew something about her relationship with Beckett or if she was jealous because Beckett was closer to her than to Fiona. But whatever the reason, she decided not to dwell on it. After all, Beckett was her boss—her boyfriend.

Thinking about these things, a genuine smile appeared on Vivianne's lips as she excused herself and went to the bathroom. However, the smile quickly disappeared when she remembered why she had come here. She needed to call her father.

After only a few rings, the person on the other end answered. "I didn't call you, but you called me," Alfred said with a somewhat amused tone on the other line. "You're going to decline the dinner I mentioned, right?"

"Yes," Vivianne replied without hesitation, glancing at the cubicles. Luckily, there was no one there. "Dinner? We can't even stand being together in the same house. So, no. I decline."

"Even if your mother is coming?" Alfred's words made Vivianne pause. "And she won't just be coming. She'll be joining us for dinner. I'll even let you two talk to each other afterward, just the two of you. You still won't come?"

Vivianne didn't answer right away as she pondered. Sure, the offer was tempting. She really wanted to talk to her mother, but Alfred always treated her mother like a pet, not a spouse.

To talk to her mother, even about superficial things, was already enough for her, but...

"What's the catch?" Vivianne tilted her head to the side. "Are you going to send me back home? Forbid me from working outside and force me to inherit the company? Train me for the mafia and berate me with hurtful words because I'm foolish?"

Among all the things Vivianne said, the last one was the most painful. For some people, they were just words, but for Vivianne, those words stayed with her as she grew up. Her father didn't know how much of an impact those words had on her as she grew up.

To be precise, her mental health stabilized when she moved out of the Allamino mansion. She wouldn't let it be ruined easily again.

"Nope," Alfred replied on the other end. He was sitting in a swivel chair, sipping whiskey. "I just want to see my family and bond with you two."

There, Vivianne fell completely silent, followed by some women entering the bathroom to use the restroom. She suddenly became confused because of her father's change. First, Alfred was thinking about her job. Second, he wasn't angry with her. Third, he was inviting her to dinner.

"Is this the end of the world?" Vivianne seriously wondered in her mind. "Or maybe Papa is sick?" She furrowed her brow. "Or perhaps he's planning something?"

That's right. Given how cunning her father can be, the third reason seemed the most likely.

"Alright. I'll go. As long as you keep your promise. Mom will be there," Vivianne replied to her father. "I'll hang up now. I'm still at work."

"Sure. Take care."

After that, Vivianne ended the call. She headed to where Fiona and Beckett were, and she was right. Beckett had finished his speech and was looking around as if searching for something. When he saw her, he smiled briefly before returning to his casual expression.

"Great work, everyone," Beckett said to his team after the awarding show. "My achievements are yours, too. I wouldn't have reached this far without all your help."

Vivianne secretly smiled at what Beckett said. His words were sincere, unlike her doubts about her father's words. She could trust everything Beckett said. She knew they were true, just like what he was saying now.

Beckett had told her before that he didn't really like modeling, but Vivianne could feel the love he had for his team now—and for her. He might have some flaws occasionally, but his goodness outweighed them, just like with her.

There's no perfect person, after all.

THE FOLLOWING day, at around four in the afternoon after their schedules, Beckett and Vivianne met in a secluded place near the hospital where the child who had been shot before was staying. Vivianne had told Beckett that they should visit the child, and she had something to say as well.

Beckett agreed because his photoshoots were already done, and it would only be a brief visit. Both of them were wearing disguises—it's the second of the things they love doing together.

And of course, sex comes first.

"What's this? Why do you have a mustache?" Vivianne asked with a laugh as she looked at Beckett's disguise. He was dressed in a black polo and jeans, and he also wore a black hat and shades. "You look like a sugar daddy there. A handsome sugar daddy."

"Only for you," Beckett teasingly replied before winking. Vivianne laughed even more at that.

"I feel so embarrassed in this disguise." Vivianne pointed to herself. She was wearing older-looking clothing, and she even had a fake mole on the side of her nose, along with thick glasses. When she stood next to Beckett, she felt like she turned into a rag.

"Don't worry. You're still beautiful." Beckett touched Vivianne's cheek and gave her a quick kiss. "Want me to prove it to you?"

"You know, you're such a pervert." Vivianne laughed and playfully slapped her fiancé's arm. Instead of visiting the child, they might end up somewhere else. "Come on, let's go inside."

They both entered the hospital and went to the room where the young Dylan was peacefully sleeping. His wound had healed, but the doctors were still keeping an eye on him in case there were any complications. Besides physical recovery, they were also concerned about his psychological state. Being shot at such a young age could cause severe trauma, so they were providing him with emotional support.

"Look, he's doing better, at least," Vivianne said as she gently held the child's hand. It moved slightly, but he didn't wake up. "We don't need to blame ourselves for what happened. We both didn't want that."

Beckett remained silent but agreed with Vivianne. They had done what they could to make amends for the child. Beckett had covered all the hospital expenses to ensure he received medical treatment, while Vivianne had found a trustworthy foster family for him.

At first, Beckett didn't like the idea of giving the child up for adoption, but he trusted Vivianne. He knew she wouldn't put the child in harm's way, especially since she had also tried to save him.

After a while, the doctor entered the room. He checked the child's condition again before speaking with Vivianne. The child was about to be discharged and would be transferred to America for further treatment. The couple who would adopt the child lived there.

"He'll be fine. Don't worry," Vivianne reassured Beckett, holding his hand. "I've already done a background check on that couple, and they're nice. I'm sure Dylan will be in good hands."

"I hope so," Beckett replied, gripping Vivianne's hand tightly while trying to suppress his nervousness.

He might not want to admit it, but he had grown fond of the children in the orphanage. He just wanted to appear tough so that no one could exploit his emotions against him.

After finishing their business at the hospital, Beckett and Vivianne bid farewell to the child. The child may not have known them, but they believed it was for the best. They simply wished for the child to have a happy life after the tragedy before they left.

When they reached the VIP parking lot, they stopped walking.

"My father is summoning me home, so we'll part ways here?" Vivianne asked as she looked at her phone's message. "And there he is, looking for me."

Vivianne grinned because this wasn't her usual experience with her father. Alfred was acting strangely, and she knew that whatever he was planning, wouldn't be pleasant.

"Sure. I also have businesses to attend to," Beckett replied before kissing the young woman on the lips. "Take care, okay? Update me about your whereabouts."

Vivianne nodded. "You too."

Then, they went their separate ways. Beckett headed to his car while Vivianne called a taxi. He removed his disguise and changed into casual attire—a dark blue polo and black pants. Afterward, he drove to the warehouse to check on what was happening.

He was so hands-on with his work. As his investigation of Alfred drew closer, he needed to excel in his business. He could feel that he was getting closer to the truth, and he was preparing himself for it.

"Boss," Nathan greeted him when he arrived at the warehouse. "Our clients came earlier to pick up their orders. Everything went smoothly."

"That's good."

Beckett picked up a document from his desk and reviewed it. It was about the new drugs they were going to manufacture. Fortunately, Jeremy was excellent at his job. Whatever Beckett assigned to him, he handled it well, so Beckett had no worries.

But it seemed that wasn't the issue judging by the look on Nathan's face now. They had been touring every department for a while, but Nathan couldn't seem to hide his concern. Beckett looked at him, furrowing his brow, wondering about his actions.

"There's a problem, isn't there?" Beckett asked when Nathan stopped walking.

"Ah... Boss, it’s nothing," Nathan scratched his head. "Well, it's just that... Alfred Allamino took the items he ordered earlier."

"And?" Beckett sounded impatient.

"He said he's going to use the drugs he bought on his daughter to see how strong the effect is..." Nathan hesitated with his words. "His daughter is Miss Vivianne, right?"