Chapter 17-1 Am Not Your Bargaining Chip
Chapter 17 I Am Not Your Bargaining Chip
Seeing this, Vivienne felt as if a heavy stone had lodged in her chest, making it hard to breathe.
In five years of marriage, Edmund had never taken The to school with her.
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Vivienne had mentioned it before, but Edmund had tuned her down, saying he was too busy with work.
So, it wasn’t that he was busy. He just didn’t want to go with her.
Theo, still drowsy, yawned. It was obvious he had stayed up late again and hadn’t slept well the night
before.
However, as soon as he heard Lillian’s words, his eyes widened sharply. Sure enough, standing not far away was Vivienne.
Lillian glanced down at Theo. “Theo, see? I told you Ms. Everest couldn’t really be mad at you. Look, she came to see you first thing in the morning.”
A hint of satisfaction flickered in Theo’s eyes.
Looking at Vivienne, he lifted his chin arrogantly. “Dont think you can manipulate me. If you don’t apologize to Ms. Lillian, I won’t forgive you.”
Lillian turned to Edmund with a smile. “Eddy, it looks like Victor’s idea worked a little.”
Edmund responded with an indifferent nod before speaking to Vivienne. “Lillian hasn’t had much of an appetite lately. Go back and prepare some nutritious food for her now.”
Vivienne shot him a strange look and parted her lips slightly. Two words slipped out, “You’re sick.”
Acting as a mediator, Lillian intervened. ‘Ms. Everest, don’t be mad at Eddy. Whatever the issue is, let’s sit down and talk it out. You haven’t worked in years, you have no income, and you’ve always lived a life of comfort. Now that you’ve left home, you must have suffered a lot, haven’t you?”
Then, she pleaded, “Ms. Everest, just apologize to Eddy. Theo is still a kid. Don’t you think he should avoid being involved in adult affairs?
Her words implied that Vivienne was using the child as a tool to gain attention.
Edmund’s cold gaze landed on Vivienne. “Apologize to Lillian now, and I’ll let the past go.
Theo frowned, clearly displeased. “Mom, don’t use me as a bargaining chip,”
Looking at the three of them standing united against her, Vivienne found it utterly ridiculous.
Anyone unaware of the situation would think they were the real family, and she was the villain bullying
hem.
Lillian, with an earnest expression, looked like a dear friend offering kind advice.
“Ms. Everest, just let it go.”
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Chapter 17 I Am Not Your Bargaining Chip
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Vivienne let out a cold laugh. “Let it go? Freezing my cards and forcing me to apologize–is that what you call good? If it’s so good, why don’t you take it, Ms. Lillan?”
Lillian struggled to find the right words.
Just then. Theo suddenly stepped in front of Lillian, spreading his arms wide with a serious expression, taking on the stance of a protector. “Don’t bully Ms. Lilan anymore!”
Vivienne was stunned.
For all this time, Theo had been eager to please Lillian, but never before had he stood against her like this.
No, that wasn’t right. In the past, she had always been the first to back down or compromise. That was why this had never happened before.
Looking at Theo’s face, filled with hostility toward her, Vivienne’s steps faltered, and she nearly lost her balance.
A flicker of something dark flashed in Lillian’s eyes. She stepped forward, seemingly to steady Vivienne.
“Ms. Everest, be careful… Ah!”
Suddenly, as if someone had pushed her, Lillian lurched sideways and tumbled toward the street.
At that moment, a car happened to be passing by. Just as she was about to fall into its path, Edmund reacted swiftly, pulling Lillian into his arms.
Lillian’s eyes reddened instantly. Her body trembled slightly, still shaken by fear. “Eddy, I… I thought I would never get to see you again…”
Tears streamed down her cheeks, making her look delicate and pitiful.
Edmund turned to Vivienne with a cold face and a razor–sharp gaze.
Lillian grabbed Edmund’s arm. “Eddy, it wasn’t Ms. Everest’s fault. Don’t blame her. I just lost my balance…
Seeing this, Theo rushed over anxiously. “Ms. Lillian, are you alright?”
Lillian forced a weak smile. I’m fine.”
Before she could finish speaking, she suddenly fainted,
Edmund didn’t spare a glance at Vivienne. He carried Lillian in his arms and strode toward the parking lot.
Theo followed closely behind. Neither of them looked at Vivienne even once.
Vivienne watched their retreating figures. Her heart was sinking as if submerged in the icy depths of a glacier.
She closed her eyes for a moment, took several deep breaths, and forced her trembling legs to move away slowly.
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Chapter 17 I Am Not Your Bargaining Chip
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Vivienne had assumed that since Dante had paid her so much money, August was probably a difficult child,
But after spending a day with him, she was surprised to find that August was unexpectedly easy to take care
He wasn’t picky about food and ate whatever was given to him. He was obedient, quiet, and never made a fuss. He was practically an angel.
That night, just as Vivienne finished putting August to seep, her phone vibrated.
She answered, and Serena’s urgent voice came through from the other end.
“Vivi, what are you doing right now? Have you seen the news?”
Vivienne quietly closed August’s bedroom door and whispered, “I just put August to sleep. What’s wrong?”
“You’re trending!”
Trending?” Vivienne was puzzled. “What do you mean?
“Someone dug up your identity… Well, it’s too much to explain over the phone. Just check it out now!
After hanging up, Vivienne hesitated for a moment before opening the trending topics.
She had always kept a low profile. In the five years she had been married to Edmund, she had barely appeared with him in public.
Aside from a few of Edmund’s acquaintances, almost no one in the circle knew her.
There was no way she could be trending
But when she opened her phone, she saw a headline burning bright at the very top of the list.
She clicked on it and saw her photo.
“Digging into the legendary Mrs. Harrington, Vivienne Everest’s past.”
Below the headline, several watermarked exclusive photos were attached, along with a detailed write–up.
“Everyone knows that the famous Edmund Harrington once had an unforgettable first love, Lillian Lennox, who just returned. However, five years ago, Edmund suddenly got married in a flash wedding for reasons unknown. Until recently, we discovered that the real reason behind his sudden marriage was a shotgun wedding. And his bride is none other than his wife, Ms. Everest. Rumor has it that back then, she shamelessly climbed into Edmund’s bed, forcibly breaking him and Lillian apart before driving Lillian overseas. Not long ago, Lillian was diagnosed with a terminal illness and returned home for treatment. Ms. Everest, consumed with jealousy, has since been doing everything in her power to make things difficult for Lillian, even going so far as to curse her to die sooner.”
Beneath this text, there were several photos and a video
Most of the pictures depicted her pushing Lillian, who appeared teary–eyed and pitiful, akin to a delicate flower facing injustice.
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Chapter 17 I Am Not Your Bargaining Chip
Vivienne clicked on the video..
The very first thing that played was her explosive remark.
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“I could never compare to your charm, Ms. Lillian. Edmund’s sister likes you, Edmund’s friends like you, and Edmund and Theo are both obsessed with you; even the universe seems to favor your type.”
23:40 Fn, Mar 21
