CHAPTER 24: CHAPTER 24: DON’T BE AFRAID, I’M HERE

"Oh, are you still the Vivian Lynch we know?" Jessica Hart sneered, "Dressed so well, got some money, and now you’re being arrogant?"

Jessica Hart’s gaze fell on the dress she was wearing, the season’s most popular brand and style, worth thousands to tens of thousands.

"Jessica Hart, what do you mean?"

"What do I mean?" Jessica Hart raised her chin, eyes full of jealousy, "Vivian Lynch, even if you wear designer clothes, you can’t change that impoverished aura about you. Who knows where you got this money from? Maybe you used some shady means to get it."

Jessica Hart crossed her arms in front of her chest, her face full of contempt, "Vivian Lynch, you wouldn’t be someone’s kept woman, right? Or maybe you’re a mistress for an old man? Or perhaps you have some illicit relationship with President Hawthorne?"

Vivian was furious and immediately retorted, "Of course not, my relationship with President Hawthorne is pure and innocent."

"Innocent?" Upon hearing that word, Sean Sinclair clearly did not believe her, a trace of disdain flickering in his eyes, "If your relationship with President Hawthorne is innocent, why did he specifically come to the company to poach you? The next day you had Lana Shaw submit your resignation letter, what do you take me for?"

Looking at Sean Sinclair and Jessica Hart’s ugly faces, Vivian’s anger grew stronger. "Sean Sinclair, don’t judge a gentleman by your own narrow-mindedness. President Hawthorne poached me because he valued my abilities. I resigned because I didn’t want to stay in that troublesome place anymore. As for you, who do you think you are? What right do you have to question me?"

Sean Sinclair was choked by Vivian’s words, and his face turned very unpleasant.

However, Jessica Hart was still unwilling to give up, persistently pressing on, "Vivian Lynch, stop pretending. Everyone knows you used to be a poor girl, and now you’re suddenly dressed so well and can visit such high-end places. Isn’t it because you’re kept by someone? Are you daring to say you’re not here to buy gifts for a lover?"

Vivian glared at Jessica Hart, "Jessica Hart, don’t accuse me falsely. I..."

Vivian wanted to say she was already married, but she thought if she said it, it might bring trouble to Caden Hawthorne, who didn’t wish for their relationship to be public.

So, Vivian snapped, "I use my own money to buy gifts. What does it have to do with you?"

"Where did you get money to buy gifts from?" Jessica Hart sneered, "Vivian Lynch, do you think we would believe your lies?"

Vivian straightened her spine, fearlessly saying, "Believe it or not, it’s up to you. I have a clear conscience. I don’t want to waste any more time with you. Make way."

Jessica Hart continued to block her path, refusing to let her pass.

"If you don’t make things clear today, don’t even think about leaving." Saying this, Jessica Hart took out her phone, started recording a video of Vivian, and shouted loudly in the mall.

"Everyone come and see, the pure college girl is being kept by a lover..."

Jessica Hart started spreading rumors about Vivian in front of everyone.

Suddenly, all the attention in the mall focused on her.

Vivian instinctively took a step back, seeing everyone gather around, her heart anxious and burning, "Stop recording, Jessica Hart, I told you to stop recording..."

At this moment, bodyguards parted the crowd and rushed towards them.

"Madam..."

Seeing the bodyguards coming, Vivian quickly said, "Let’s go quickly!"

The bodyguards nodded, one escorting Vivian out, while another fiercely knocked Jessica Hart’s phone to the ground, "Didn’t you hear when I said stop recording?"

"Vivian Lynch, you can’t leave!" Seeing Vivian leaving, Jessica Hart made a move to chase her but was stopped by the bodyguards.

Meanwhile, Sean Sinclair tugged on her arm, shook his head, "Forget it, let her go!"

Jessica Hart picked up the phone from the ground, tightly clutching it with a face full of reluctance.

Vivian left the mall swiftly under the protection of the bodyguards.

Her mood remained unsettled for a long time, disrupted by Jessica Hart’s commotion, stripping away her initially pleasant mood.

After returning to Hartswell Manor, Old Master Hawthorne wasn’t there, and Vivian sat alone in the room, filled with grievances.

She didn’t understand why Jessica Hart was so aggressive, why she had to spread rumors and slander her.

Clearly, she hadn’t done anything wrong, yet she had to endure these unwarranted accusations.

At this moment, the door was pushed open.

Vivian looked up and saw Caden Hawthorne had returned, she quickly turned around, wiping away her tears.

Noticing her actions, Caden Hawthorne frowned, why was she crying again?

Caden Hawthorne came over, and Vivian finally turned around, pretending as if nothing was wrong, smiled and said, "You’re back!"

Caden Hawthorne noticed her off demeanor, sat beside her, and asked with concern, "What’s wrong? What happened?"

Vivian hesitated for a moment but decided to tell Caden Hawthorne about the incident at the mall with Sean Sinclair and Jessica Hart.

After listening, Caden Hawthorne’s face instantly darkened.

"Did they bully you?"

Vivian shook her head, "No."

She didn’t want Caden to worry, nor did she want him to think she was useless, only knowing how to cry when bullied and not fight back.

Caden Hawthorne wasn’t foolish, seeing her red eyes, he guessed she must have cried from feeling wronged.

"I’m sorry, I originally wanted to buy you a gift. In the end, I couldn’t buy it."

Hearing Vivian’s self-blaming words, Caden Hawthorne reached out, gently caressing her face, softly comforting, "It’s alright, we can make it up next time. As for Sean Sinclair and Jessica Hart..."

At this point, a hint of coldness flashed in Caden’s eyes, "Don’t worry, I won’t let them get away with it."

Hearing this, Vivian grabbed his arm nervously, "Caden Hawthorne, you don’t have to avenge me, don’t do anything illegal."

Hearing these words, Caden curved his lips, a trace of indulgence in his eyes, "Don’t worry, I won’t kill anyone."

Daring to bully his woman, he would make them pay, even regret coming into this world.

Only then did Vivian slowly breathe a sigh of relief, scared to death, thinking Caden really would kill them.

After all, Caden was known in Aethelgard for his dominance, notorious for being ruthless and cold-hearted, capable of anything if he wished.

Looking at the innocent and kind Vivian, Caden felt a pang of unexplainable heartache, instinctively pulling her into his embrace.

The sudden hug caught Vivian off guard, her hands suspended in mid-air, a bit at a loss.

Caden Hawthorne actually hugged her?

"Silly girl, don’t be scared, I’m here, I’ll protect you."

Hearing Caden’s gentle soothing words next to her ear, feeling his warmth, the grievances vanished from Vivian’s mind, her anger gradually dissipating.

Her hand slowly circled his back, a hint of joy appearing on her face.

She knew, with Caden around, she didn’t have to fear anything.