Chapter 68 There's Always Widowhood

The Fisher Family

Claire watched Alan bustling around the kitchen in his apron. Every now and then, he'd glance her way and flash a goofy, genuine smile.

The house was packed with vases and fresh flowers, filling the air with a sweet, pleasant scent.

This warm, cozy home was everything Claire had ever dreamed of, but right now, it felt like a total illusion.

Claire quietly picked up her phone and texted Daphne: [The night after tomorrow, Alan's got a business cocktail party, no other plans.]

Claire knew Alan all too well. A womanizer doesn't just change his stripes.

After her last chat with Daphne, she'd had a serious talk with Alan, saying she forgave him and wanted to live peacefully together from now on.

Even after such a big mess, Alan managed to get Claire's forgiveness. He'd probably use this chance to pull something again, like he always did.

But this time, Alan had to be extra careful and play nice in front of Claire.

Claire just had to act like nothing happened until everything was sorted out.

Meanwhile, Vivienne stormed into her talent agency like a hurricane.

"Why is the Ward group talking about canceling the contract? I just signed it myself!"

With a loud smack, Vivienne knocked over the coffee her assistant had just brought, making a mess.

The agent closed the contract he was holding and glared at her.

"Did you sign a free contract without even reading it? Can you handle the fallout of breaching it? If something goes wrong, we have to fix it."

He continued, "Right now, we're lucky the Ward Group is even discussing termination. But you're throwing a fit!"

The agent was furious at Vivienne's solo actions. In their industry, everyone was clawing for maximum profits.

The agency had put a ton of effort into transforming and packaging Vivienne as their next big star. Just as she was starting to show promise, this problem popped up.

In other words, those who didn't play ball didn't last long in this industry. Without the backing of capital, even the brightest star was nothing.

Vivienne, hearing the agent's profit-driven rant, swept all the documents off the table with a dramatic wave. Papers scattered everywhere.

"I don't care! I've worked too hard to stand by Carl's side, and no one can stop me!"

"You're out of your mind!"

"I'll do everything the company asks, but not this! I won't cancel the contract; I'm determined to get this endorsement!"

The office was tense. No one would have guessed that the disheveled, fierce-looking woman, with makeup smudged all over, was the rising star.

To get close to Carl, or even just to see him, Vivienne had cozied up to Alan, that sleazy old guy. She couldn't let go of this hard-earned collaboration.

Seeing her in this state, the agent forced himself to stay calm. "I don't want to argue with you right now. Go home, cool off, and we'll talk later."

The trembling assistant in the corner finally stepped forward and nervously dragged Vivienne out.

Vivienne headed to the restroom, feeling sticky from the coffee on her hands. The assistant handed her a tissue.

"Did you find out the name of that woman?" she asked.

The assistant nodded. "Her name is Daphne."

"Hmph, that bitch must have ruined my plans! I never thought someone who looks so weak and fake could become Carl's wife."

"Vivienne, what are you going to do? Please don't do anything rash."

Vivienne snorted, took the tissue from the assistant, and slowly wiped her hands. "People can get divorced after getting married. At worst, there's always widowhood. And hey, being a mistress is still an option!"

The assistant was terrified by her words. "Vivienne, please don't do anything illegal."

"You coward!"

Vivienne glared at her. Pulling out her phone, she checked her recent schedule. She had to go to the business cocktail party the day after tomorrow. If the agency wouldn't help, she'd handle it herself.

The agent, in his anger, hadn't said what he really wanted to say. How could someone capable of being Carl's wife be a simple person?

In a powerhouse like this, the complexities and subtleties were way beyond someone like Vivienne, who got a bit of talent and beauty but not much else.

Carl wouldn't keep an idle person by his side, especially not his partner. Vivienne had oversimplified the situation and was too stubborn. She was bound to face backlash sooner or later.

But right now, her mind was filled with the desire to be Carl's woman, and she couldn't see the bigger picture.

It was no wonder Vivienne admired Carl so much. In college, Carl's excellence made him a campus celebrity.

For Vivienne, Carl had saved her life during her first year in college.

Foreigners were often discriminated against. Except for someone as exceptionally talented as Carl, Vivienne, an ordinary foreign student, was often bullied.

One day, Vivienne was on her way to her part-time job when a group of thugs surrounded her in an alley. They started to harass her, pulling her hair and snatching her backpack.

In such a situation, all she could do was cry and scream. As two of the boys began to unbuckle their pants and push her deeper into the alley, Carl happened to pass by and heard her cries for help.

Standing at the entrance of the alley, Carl shouted for help and called the police. Seeing the thugs scatter, Carl turned and left.

The sunlight that day illuminated Carl.