Chapter 120 Plan Begins

Chapter 120 Plan Begins

Mrs. Crompton took the cross pendant and examined it in her palm for a moment, her eyes crinkling with pleasure.

"I've heard about this sacred relic. You have to spend an entire day in prayer at the church and pass the priest's test before you can obtain it. Vivian, to think you went through all that trouble for me while pregnant. You really are thoughtful."

Vivian lowered her eyes, her tone meek. "You've been so good to me, Godmother. I should do something to repay your kindness."

Mrs. Crompton carefully put away the cross pendant, then suddenly remembered something. "Oh, that's right. Isn't your birthday coming up soon?"

Vivian froze slightly, as if she hadn't expected Mrs. Crompton to remember such a thing.

Mrs. Crompton smiled and patted her hand. "Since you call me Godmother, I naturally should celebrate your birthday properly. I'll have someone arrange a party at New York's finest hotel and invite all the city's elite to formally introduce you as the Crompton family's goddaughter."

A spark lit in Vivian's eyes, her voice trembling with barely suppressed excitement. "Godmother, are you serious?"

"When have I ever lied to you?" Mrs. Crompton nodded with a smile. "You just focus on taking care of yourself and the baby. Leave everything else to me."

After leaving Mrs. Crompton's place, Vivian sat in her car and couldn't wait to pull out her phone and message Ruth.

[Ruth, Godmother says she's throwing me a grand birthday party and inviting all the city's elite to formally introduce my status. Tell me, when will you ever get this kind of treatment?]

After sending the message, she stared at the screen for a long time, but no reply came.

Vivian bit her lip and added another message. [Even if you become Godmother's goddaughter too, I'll still be the most important one in her heart. After all, I was the first goddaughter she acknowledged.]

Ruth was in her office reviewing design sketches when her phone screen lit up a few times. She only glanced at it before setting it down.

How childish.

Showing off a birthday party like this.

Still, this was actually a perfect opportunity.

A birthday party with all the city's elite gathered in one place. She'd been wondering how to go after Vivian and Shawn, and now the chance had presented itself.

Meanwhile.

Vivian had already arrived at her apartment and still hadn't received a reply from Ruth. Though annoyed, she didn't dwell on it and instead called Shawn.

The phone rang several times before being answered.

Shawn's voice carried a hint of impatience. "What is it?"

Vivian softened her tone. "Shawn, my birthday's coming up soon. Godmother's throwing me a birthday party, and lots of people will be there. What are you planning to give me?"

Shawn rubbed his temples. "What do you want?"

Vivian had already decided, so she seized the opportunity. "I want a private island. You gave Ruth one before, didn't you? I want one too."

Silence stretched for several seconds on the other end.

Shawn's voice turned cold. "You want me to give you a private island? Do you have any idea how expensive that is? When people ask, how am I supposed to explain our relationship?"

Vivian bit down hard, unwilling to give up. "Shawn, you're the Grey family heir, after all. Besides, everyone at the party will be prominent figures in our circle. Giving me an island wouldn't be that strange..."

Shawn was silent for a long moment before saying, "We'll see how things go." Without giving Vivian a chance to respond, he hung up.

That evening at Rosewood Estates, Shawn was unusually home instead of out at business dinners.

He asked the servants where Ruth was, and upon learning she was in the study, went to find her.

Seeing Ruth absorbed in her design sketches, he didn't interrupt. He simply walked in and sat beside her.

After Ruth finished reviewing most of them, he spoke with unmistakable pride. "Baby, word's already spread through our circle about Mrs. Crompton publicly acknowledging you as her goddaughter on the yacht. The Grey family's partners are very pleased—they think our connection with the Crompton family will make the project go much more smoothly."

He pulled her into his arms. "Baby, Mrs. Crompton values you so highly. She'll definitely look out for us in future collaborations. I'm so lucky to have married you."

Ruth listened to his words without any real emotion stirring inside, but she smiled and casually added, "Though I notice Godmother seems quite attentive to Vivian too. I heard she's planning to throw Vivian a grand birthday party."

At Vivian's name, something uncomfortable flashed in Shawn's eyes, but he quickly recovered. "Well, she is Mrs. Crompton's goddaughter too. Having a birthday party for her is pretty normal."

Ruth acted as if she hadn't noticed his reaction and asked, "By the way, since it's Godmother's goddaughter's birthday party, we should give her something, right? What do you think would be appropriate?"

Shawn was caught off guard by the question and furrowed his brow in thought.

Vivian's request for an island still fresh in his mind, he blurted out, "Baby, what about giving her an island?"

The moment the words left his mouth, he froze, immediately realizing his mistake, and quickly backtracked.

"I'm just thinking out loud, baby. Don't read into it. We can't just give something like that away casually. I'll have someone pick out some decent jewelry to send over."

Ruth turned to look at Shawn, her tone gentle. "Actually, I think an island is a good idea. After all, she is your sister-in-law. As her brother-in-law, being generous would reflect well on the Grey family's standing."

"Besides, she's Mrs. Crompton's goddaughter now. Giving her something substantial would show respect to Mrs. Crompton too."

Hearing this, Shawn held Ruth even tighter. "Baby, you're always thinking of me. Don't worry. I'm just giving a gift for appearances. Nothing else could ever happen."

Ruth smiled and nodded.

From that day on, Shawn threw himself into preparing the island—contacting brokers, researching properties, and so on, with no time left for Ruth.

Ruth watched, knowing her opportunity had arrived.

While he was busy, she could take care of her own business.

The next day, Caleb brought good news.

[Lady Ruth, everything you asked me to handle has been completed.]

Ruth reviewed the files he'd sent, and after confirming everything was in order, replied:

[Thank you. You've put in considerable effort these past few days.]

Ruth printed out all the documents and filed them away. Once finished, she picked up her phone and scrolled to someone she hadn't contacted in a while.

Patricia Clarkson.

Her college roommate and one of the few people she could trust completely. Patricia had moved to Europe a few years ago, but the two had stayed in touch.