I rolled my eyes at Vivian in annoyance.
She wasn't trying to have a conversation—she wanted Nora to show up and make a fool of herself.
Before I could speak, Vivian said softly, "About my parents wanting you as CEO of Pruitt Corp—think it over carefully."
"Their health hasn't been great these past few years. They're worried I can't hold things together alone, and they've always wanted to find me a capable partner."
"Back then, if you hadn't married Nora, my family would've poached you ages ago..."
A dull boom from outside cut her off. We both jumped.
Through the floor-to-ceiling window, I saw Nora's car had smashed straight through the Pruitt family's courtyard gate.
Watching Ethan and Nora storm out of the car, Vivian turned to me with a smile. "Looks like your ex-wife is furious."
I stared at her, speechless. She could still smile at a time like this?
Ethan and Nora walked into the villa. When Nora saw Vivian and me drinking tea together, her face twisted with rage.
"Alex, I told you before—no more contact with her. Did you forget?" She jabbed a finger at me. "You—"
"Nora." Vivian's voice turned ice-cold. "You've already signed the divorce papers, haven't you? Where Alex goes and who he sees doesn't require your permission anymore."
Nora's expression froze. She had nothing to say.
Ethan jumped in. "Vivian, that's not quite right. Ms. Simmons and Mr. Gilbert haven't officially gotten their divorce certificates yet—"
Vivian's teacup flew across the room. Ethan couldn't dodge in time—it struck him square in the chest, tea drenching his clothes.
Vivian looked at him coldly, her face expressionless. "Who gave you permission to use my first name? Do I know you? Do you even have the standing to speak here?"
"You freeloading piece of trash—your little tricks might fool an idiot like Nora, but they don't work on me."
"Disgusting. If you're going to be someone's dog, at least know your place. The owner hasn't even spoken yet and you're already snapping at people. What the hell are you?"
"Say one more word. I'll make sure you don't see tomorrow's sun."
Ethan's face went green. But he didn't dare talk back. Vivian's status was far beyond anything he could challenge. If she decided to go after him, even with Nora's protection, his future would be hell.
Nora shouted, "Vivian Pruitt, you've gone too far! Ethan is our junior from college. How can you humiliate him like this?"
Vivian sneered. "Nora, sometimes I really can't tell if you're genuinely stupid or just playing dumb."
"What exactly is Ethan Mason to you?"
"For him, you threw away nearly ten years of friendship between us."
"For him, you divorced Alex and handed over his VP position like it was nothing."
"What kind of spell did he put on you? Or have you finally found your true love—planning to spend your whole life with this kept man?"
"But here's what I don't understand." Vivian tilted her head, studying Nora. "If you chose him, then why—the moment you heard Alex was here—did you come racing over in such a fury?"
"Oh, I get it now—you want it both ways?"
"Tsk tsk, shameless!"
Vivian's mouth really was something. She talked Nora into trembling all over.
Nora knew she couldn't match that sharp tongue. She glared at me and shouted, "Alex, stop playing deaf!"
"You're coming with me right now, or I will never forgive you!"
I replied calmly, "You signed the divorce agreement. I left with nothing. There's no relationship between us anymore."
Nora flew into a rage. "I don't care! You have to come with me. You can't stay here!"
"Alex, I'm pregnant with your child. If you don't listen to me, I'll go to the hospital right now and abort it!"
Hearing her use the child as a threat, I laughed.
But the smile on my face held no warmth.
I looked straight at her and said, word by word, "Are you sure that child is mine?"
