I smiled, accepted the signed contract, and secured everything that belonged to the Caldwell family.
As thunderous applause filled the room, I took the microphone and swept my gaze across the crowd.
"Distinguished guests, dear friends and family, today isn't just the successful conclusion of the Caldwell-Ashford partnership. It also marks my fifth wedding anniversary with Vivienne."
"Tonight, I have a grand gift for her. And I'd like all of you to bear witness to the five years of devotion Vivienne has shown me."
As the applause died down, several bodyguards carried in two enormous crates, each wrapped in silk ribbon tied into an elegant bow.
I smiled and gently guided Vivienne toward the crates, gesturing for her to open them.
The entire room fell silent. Necks craned. Every eye fixed on those oversized crates, everyone wondering what extravagant gift could possibly be inside.
Vivienne beamed and pinched my cheek playfully. Then she reached for the latch, flipped it open, and threw back the lid with a sharp crack.
Under her stunned gaze, a man slowly rose from inside the crate. The instant he looked up and saw Vivienne standing before him, his face crumpled and he burst into tears, throwing himself into her arms.
"Babe, you scared me half to death! Didn't you tell me to bring our son back for the celebration?"
"We just got off the plane and someone shoved us into crates. You're so mean. You can't scare people like that!"
His tears turned to laughter as he wrapped his arms around Vivienne's neck.
Three seconds of dead silence.
Then the room erupted.
"What the hell is going on? Why is this man calling Vivienne his wife?"
"He brought their son? I thought Vivienne couldn't have children!"
The color drained from Vivienne's face. She spun around and threw open the second crate. Inside, her son lay with his eyes shut tight, sleeping soundly.
Vivienne lunged forward and scooped the child into her arms, calling his name over and over.
But the little boy only slumped against her shoulder, limp and motionless.
Panic seized her. She patted his back, shook him gently, then whipped her gaze toward me.
"Adrian, what did you do to Mason Fox?!"
I strode forward with a cold smile, my gaze cutting into her like a blade.
"Vivienne, why so nervous? Don't tell me this is your son."
I paused, letting the words sink in.