CHAPTER 10: CHAPTER 10: SCUMBAG EX-BOYFRIEND

After leaving the Civil Affairs Bureau, Caden Hawthorne’s face was like a frosty morning as he said to her, "I’ll send you back first, and then I have to go to the company, so I won’t be accompanying you."

Vivian Lynch waved her hand at his words, "No need, I’ll just take a taxi back by myself."

Caden Hawthorne glanced at her coldly and said in a deep voice, "You’re not alone right now."

Vivian was momentarily stunned. Was he reminding her to pay attention to the child in her belly?

"Don’t worry, Mr. Hawthorne. I will take good care of myself and the child in my belly," Vivian said, turning her face to the side as if sulking.

Caden tightly pressed his lips together, said nothing, and simply pulled out a bank card, handing it over coldly, "Take it!"

"For me?" Vivian turned her head, looking at the bank card Caden extended, full of astonishment.

Caden nodded slightly, still cold as ever, "Yes, there’s no password. The money on the card should last you for a while."

"No need, I’ll work and earn money myself." Vivian declined Caden’s kindness.

Caden, not caring whether she was happy or not, directly forced the bank card into her hand, "I’ll have Butler Hughes come to pick you up."

It was more of an order than an arrangement, giving Vivian no chance to refuse.

After saying this, Caden decisively turned and left.

Vivian watched his departing figure, then lowered her head again to look at the bank card in her hand, unconsciously gripping it tightly.

It wasn’t long before Simon Hughes came to pick her up, and she didn’t go directly back to the Hawthorne Family home but asked Butler Hughes to send her to her workplace.

"Vivian, where have you been for more than a month? I thought you weren’t going to intern at the company anymore!"

Returning to her position, her colleague Lana Shaw came over, concerned and curious.

Vivian smiled lightly, "How could I not come back? I still want my internship certificate! It’s just that something came up at home, so I had to delay."

"That’s good." Lana nodded slightly, then gossiped, "Vivian, you don’t know, during the time you were gone, Jessica Hart was constantly sticking around President Sinclair, staying in the office for hours on end."

Hearing this, Vivian’s hand paused slightly while organizing her folders, but she remained indifferent, continuing to sort the files piled up on her desk.

"Vivian Lynch, you still have the nerve to come to the company?"

A sharp, sarcastic voice rang out.

Vivian looked up and saw Jessica Hart walking over with a sultry demeanor, a face full of disdain and scorn.

Vivian asked calmly, "Why shouldn’t I come?"

Jessica smirked contemptuously, gesturing sarcastically, "If I were you, Vivian Lynch, I would find a hole to crawl into to avoid embarrassing myself out here."

"I think the one embarrassing themselves is you. An affair climbing up the ranks, what’s there to be proud about?"

This remark caused the surrounding colleagues to start gossiping.

"What? Secretary Hart is actually the other woman?"

"So, President Sinclair already has a girlfriend?"

"You..." Upon hearing this, Jessica’s face turned crimson with anger, and she raised her hand as if to hit Vivian, "You bitch, you’re talking nonsense!"

Vivian grabbed her wrist, smiling, "What? Secretary Hart dares to do but doesn’t admit it?"

She and Jessica were classmates. She had been kind enough to introduce her to intern at her boyfriend’s company, never expecting to invite trouble instead.

That day, she saw them hugging in the office with her own eyes. Despite Sean Sinclair’s fervent explanations, she resolutely ended the relationship.

For more than a month, she hadn’t been to the company. They must have been more brazen in her absence.

Otherwise, Jessica wouldn’t have come to provoke her.

"So what if I seduced Sean Sinclair? You’re inferior to me in both body and understanding of romance, and Sean has long been tired of you." Jessica leaned in, whispering maliciously in her ear.

Vivian remained unmoved. She never truly liked Sean Sinclair. When he pursued her, he publicly confessed in front of all the teachers and students at school, and she agreed to avoid embarrassing him.

Within less than half a year of being together, Vivian realized that Sean was flirtatious, often chatting with other girls.

This man, having cheated once, would do so countless times.

Vivian smiled slightly, unconcerned, "So what?"

Jessica wore a look of triumph, laughing, "So, that’s why President Sinclair chose to be with me. Vivian Lynch, I advise you to be smart and leave the company. Don’t cling to President Sinclair; he’s my boyfriend now."

As soon as she said this, the surrounding colleagues seemed to have received a shocking revelation.

"I’ll leave, but not now." Vivian took a deep breath, her face calm, "Even if you’re not welcoming, I’ll stay until my internship ends."

Jessica suddenly grabbed Vivian’s arm, gritting her teeth, "I won’t give you that chance."

In the next second, Jessica released Vivian’s hand and mischievously leaned backward, pretending to fall.

"What are you doing?"

Seeing Jessica fall to the ground, Sean Sinclair cried out in shock, quickly rushing over.

Jessica immediately changed her demeanor, getting up from the floor and quickly saying, "Don’t be angry with Vivian, President Sinclair. It’s only natural for her to have resentment towards me knowing we’re together."

Hearing this, Sean quickly helped Jessica up.

Then, with an angry stare at her, Sean said, "Vivian Lynch, you were the one who brought up the breakup first. If you have any grievances, direct them at me, not Jessica."

Vivian, having reached her limit, angrily retorted, "I think President Sinclair misunderstood. To me, you’re just a dispensable ex-boyfriend, and not only do I hold no grudges, but I am also grateful to finally see your true colors as a scoundrel."

"You..." Sean’s face immediately turned unpleasant.

"Sean, let it go. Don’t blame Vivian, I’m alright," Jessica pretended to console Sean.

Sean then softened his expression and said to Vivian, "Since you’re back, work well."

Turning his head, he addressed everyone, "Also, the higher-ups will be here for an inspection soon. Everyone get ready."

"Yes." With Sean’s command, everyone returned to their workstations.

"Vivian, come to my office." Before leaving, Sean called out to Vivian.

"No, I have work to do," Vivian said, unfazed, continuing to busy herself with her duties.

Seeing Vivian maintain her attitude towards him, Sean was frustrated but had nowhere to vent.

"The leadership is here..." Someone shouted, and immediately, everyone stood up in haste to welcome the superior.

A group of men in suits came walking over.

The man leading them had long legs and wore a well-tailored suit, paired with a white shirt and a deep blue tie, exuding an air of elegance and mystery.