Mia Kane merely shot him an indifferent glance before looking away. Vivian Lynch’s current expression was priceless, and Mia had no intention of missing it.

Vivian Lynch’s face was ashen, her lips drained of all color. She stared blankly at Chase Lockwood, unable to snap out of her daze.

She found it rather laughable.

Vivian Lynch really was too full of herself. As long as his core interests weren’t at stake, Chase Lockwood would naturally put her first in all things.

But the moment the entire Lockwood Group was on the line, Chase Lockwood would discard her without a second thought.

Mia had been with Chase Lockwood for three years; she understood this perfectly. Yet somehow, Vivian Lynch didn’t. ’She must have thought she was his idealized love, that she held a special place in Chase Lockwood’s heart. That while others couldn’t cross this line, she would be the exception.’

’But as it turned out, there were no exceptions.’

At that thought, she instinctively turned to look at Adrian Preston.

’Why would Chase Lockwood prioritize the Lockwood Group’s interests, while Adrian Preston was willing to risk it all with her and take on dangers that had nothing to do with him?’

Adrian Preston sensed her gaze and turned his head toward her.

Under the table, he had been holding her hand the entire time, a fact she was only just now processing.

As if to reassure her, Adrian Preston squeezed her hand, his grip tightening slightly.

"Don’t be afraid, I’m here,"

he whispered, leaning closer.

Mia Kane nodded firmly.

’With him here, she felt completely at ease.’

Chase Lockwood watched their subtle interaction. It wasn’t overly intimate, yet he found the sight incredibly jarring.

Finally, her face pale, Vivian Lynch struggled out of her seat. In the open space in front of Mia Kane, she slowly sank to her knees.

Her face was a mask of resentment and humiliation, yet she was utterly helpless. Fat tears began to roll down her cheeks.

She kept glancing at Chase Lockwood, still holding onto the hope that the situation could be salvaged.

But when Chase Lockwood ordered his men to clear the restaurant and shut off the security cameras, he had already decided to sacrifice Vivian Lynch—his pawn—to protect the Lockwood Family.

’He knew Mia Kane wouldn’t make a big public scene. Even if she did, no one would believe her. After all, there were no witnesses and no evidence.’

’If no one saw it, it didn’t happen.’

’Vivian Lynch’s humiliation didn’t affect him.’

’He didn’t feel like he was losing face. Compared to the potential losses for the Lockwood Group, this small sacrifice was nothing.’

’Besides, this was all because Vivian Lynch had been too clever for her own good. He saw no problem with letting her reap what she sowed.’

Chase Lockwood calmly picked up his coffee and took a small sip.

Only upon seeing this did Vivian Lynch finally give up all hope.

A new understanding dawned on her. ’So, when faced with the interests of the Lockwood Group, I’m completely worthless.’

She had no choice but to kowtow. The neck brace made the movement incredibly difficult, constricting her and causing immense discomfort.

Fat tears splashed onto the floor.

Overcome with humiliation, she kowtowed three times.

"It’s a shame you can’t speak. Otherwise, I’d love to hear you scream that you were wrong. Wouldn’t that be music to my ears?"

Mia Kane stood up and looked down on her.

Vivian Lynch tried to get up, but Mia Kane planted a foot on her back, stopping her.

Chase Lockwood frowned.

Vivian Lynch was forced heavily back to the floor.

"Did I say I forgive you? Who said you could get up?"

she said coldly.

"Mia Kane, that’s enough. I’ve shown all the courtesy I’m going to. Don’t push it."

Chase Lockwood could no longer stay seated.

"Chase Lockwood, today it’s Vivian Lynch. Tomorrow, it’ll be you. I remember everything you two have done to me. I will never forget."

Chase Lockwood laughed, thinking she was getting ahead of herself.

"Adrian Preston, look how arrogant you’ve let her become. If you weren’t propping her up, would she dare say such things? Be careful. She’ll drag down the Preston Group and give you a taste of utter ruin."

Adrian Preston chuckled at his words.

"If that day ever comes, it would be my honor."

At this, Chase Lockwood’s calm facade began to crack.

’Adrian Preston is a real fucking poser.’

’He refused to believe that when the day came, Adrian Preston would actually be so calm. He’d probably be just like him, scrambling for a solution, sacrificing anything and everything non-essential to preserve his family’s honor and immense fortune.’

Mia Kane slowly retracted her foot. "You’ve apologized, but I will never forgive you. Vivian Lynch, you need to remember this: you and I didn’t fight to the death over this man. He’s just trash that I threw out, and you were happy to pick him up."

"Mia Kane—"

Chase Lockwood’s fists clenched.

If Adrian Preston hadn’t been there, watching him like a hawk, he would have lost control long ago.

"Oh, right, I never got to give you my wedding blessing, did I? Chase Lockwood, I wish you infertility, and a house full of children and grandchildren. Vivian Lynch, I wish you a happy second marriage, and allow me to wish you a happy third and fourth marriage in advance!"

Chase Lockwood finally snapped and hurled his coffee cup at her.

Adrian Preston was already on guard and pulled Mia Kane into his embrace.

Caught off guard, she lost her balance but thankfully fell sitting in Adrian Preston’s lap, avoiding a true fall.

A bit of coffee still splashed onto the back of her hand, and the delicate skin quickly reddened, but thankfully, the injury wasn’t serious.

Adrian Preston’s eyes narrowed dangerously. He was about to rise and settle the score with Chase Lockwood but was stopped by Mia Kane.

"I’m tired. Let’s go home."

"Alright."

"I... I don’t think I can walk."

It seemed she was running a fever. She hadn’t been eating or sleeping well for days, waking up several times a night. If Adrian Preston hadn’t been there, she probably would have had sleepless nights.

Now she felt dizzy and light-headed, her vision darkening at the edges.

Adrian Preston also felt how hot her body was and immediately swept her up into his arms.

He was about to leave when Chase Lockwood called out to him.

"Adrian Preston, I’ll be waiting for the day you’re ruined beyond recovery."

’Adrian Preston was throwing everything away for a woman. Sooner or later, Mia Kane would be his downfall.’

’He couldn’t wait to see it.’

Adrian Preston’s stride faltered for a second, but he didn’t respond or look back. He simply continued on his way, walking away with long, swift steps.

Only then did Chase Lockwood help Vivian Lynch up from the floor.

Vivian Lynch was a weeping mess, her face streaked with tears.

He raised a hand and gently wiped away her tears.

"Vivian, don’t blame me for being ruthless. Your reckless words cost the Lockwood Group too much. Let this be a lesson to you. From now on, watch what you say and do. Always remember your position; things are different now. You enjoy the prestige the Lockwood Group brings you, so you must also be willing to protect it with your life. Do you understand?"

He spoke slowly and deliberately, his gaze burning into hers.

His hand pressed down on her shoulder with immense force.

Vivian Lynch nodded vigorously. ’I can’t lose Chase Lockwood’s trust. I’ve struggled for so long to finally become Mrs. Lockwood. What’s a little humiliation, as long as I can live a glamorous life?’

’It was just an apology, right? In time, everyone would forget about it.’

’As long as I’m still Mrs. Lockwood...’

After returning, Mia Kane fell gravely ill. For several days, at its worst, her fever was so high she was in and out of consciousness.

It was unclear if Vivian Lynch had heard the news, but she scheduled her public apology for the very next day.

Though delirious with fever, she still remembered that Vivian Lynch’s live-streamed apology was at eight o’clock, and that she had to be there in person.

Her fever spiked again later that night, leaving her with a splitting headache and a heavy, groggy feeling.

Adrian Preston couldn’t stand to see her like this and wanted her to take some fever-reducing medicine.

The stress and exhaustion of the past few days had weakened her immune system, allowing a virus to take hold.

A fever like this would likely last for a few days, subsiding during the day only to return with a vengeance at night.

The medicine would make her feel a little better, but it would also make her drowsy and want to sleep.

But this time, she refused to take it, no matter what he said.

She was afraid the medicine would make her oversleep and miss the eight o’clock event tomorrow.

Adrian Preston had no choice but to try and bring her fever down manually.

A cooling patch on her forehead, she snuggled into his arms. ’His body feels so cool... it’s so comfortable.’

She couldn’t resist nuzzling her head against him like a kitten.

"If you won’t take your medicine, we have to bring your temperature down physically. I’ll rub you down with alcohol to help dissipate the heat."

"No..."

she mumbled.

"Then take your medicine like a good girl."

Mia Kane bit her lip, looking wronged, and gave him a pitiful look, but Adrian Preston was unmoved.

"Fine..."

she nodded reluctantly.

Hearing her agree, Adrian Preston reached out and began to unbutton her pajamas...