Vivian confronted Nora about it—defending me.
Nora exploded. Accused Vivian of having ulterior motives. Of wanting me for herself.
Just like that, years of friendship ended.
Looking back now, it still felt surreal.
After dinner, Harold and Margaret excused themselves. I moved to leave too, but Vivian stopped me, insisting I stay for tea.
"What's the rush?" She smiled. "Afraid I'll eat you? You just divorced Nora. You've got nowhere to be. Would it kill you to keep me company for a while?"
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."