Vivian let out a bitterugh.

"You''re right. He doesn''t love me."

Mr. Wilson sighed, eyes clouded with disappointment.

"Vivian, if you keep letting your emotions run wild, think about your parents. Don''t repeat their mistakes."

She lowered her gaze.

"This is on me, Grandpa. I let my feelings take over. These past few months, I''ve beenpletely lost. I haven''t been myself."

"Then keep looking until you find your footing again," he snapped. "I''ve spent years preparing you for this. Are you really going to throw it all away over Zachary?"

Vivian looked up at him, hesitant.

"Do you still believe in me?"

"Of course I do." His tone softened just a bit. "At the bidding meeting the day after tomorrow, I want to see the old Vivian again. Don''t let me down."

At Pine Mist Ind.

As thest of the guests left, the banquet finally came to an end. Sarah told the staff to go home ande back tomorrow to clean up. By then, she was already halfway drunk, swaying slightly as she walked.

Mia didn''t want to leave. She booked a suite at the hotel. Scarlett and Steven did the same. Only Sarah insisted on going home.

Zachary hadn''t driven that night-he''d made up plenty of excuses to avoid drinking. He ended up being the one to drive her back.

In the passenger seat, Sarah was practically glowing with tipsy excitement. She

sted her favorite song and started humming along.

"You seem extra cheerful tonight," Zachary said with a faint smile.

Sarah''s head bobbed like she couldn''t hold it up.

"Of course I am. Vivian''s little scheme failedpletely."fn931e Get full chapters from find(?)ovel/fn931e

She rolled down the window and stuck her head halfway out. The cold wind hit her

face like a p, and she shivered, her hair whipping everywhere.

Zachary flinched and quickly reached over.

"Sit properly."

As soon as she leaned back inside, he rolled the window up and locked it.

Sarah giggled.

"So... what do you think about that Lucas guy?"

"Smart. Gentle. Observant. Knows how to read the room. He''s a decent guy."

Zachary raised an eyebrow.

"Just a decent guy?"

Still dazed, Sarah suddenly grinned and teased,

"What, are you afraid Mia has a crush on him?"

"I mean, she''s young. Girls her age go for that type."

Sarah turned toward him, eyes still closed.

"Young girls? Are you saying I''m not young anymore?"

Zachary didn''t hesitate.

"You''re young-and mature. You''re no longer someone who falls for childish

ngs

SWA

"Was that supposed to be apliment... or an insult?"

"Apliment," he replied without missing a beat.

The rest of the drive was filled with Sarah humming randomly, sometimes bursting intoughter for no reason the alcohol had clearly kicked in, and she was riding the buzz.  s

When they finally arrived outside her ce, the two stepped out of the

car. Sarah stumbled a little, and m

as she was about to all, Zachary

her in time.

to s

"Who are you?" she asked, burying her face in his chest.

Zachary chuckled and patted her head.

"You don''t recognize me?"

She shook her head, then took a deep breath.

"You smell good."

Zachary held her steady, worried she might fall again.

"Do you at least remember who you are?"

Sarah beamed up at him, clinging to his shirt like a child.

"Of course I do. I''m Sarah Sanders."

She wrapped her arms around him tightly, whispering softly into his chest.

Just then, a cold voice cut through the night.

"What do you think you''re doing?"

Zachary turned and froze.

It was Melvin.