The True Victim

Vivienne stared at Gideon. The sheer weight of his undeniable authority as the primary financial shareholder of Lumina forced her hand. She had no choice but to concede to his ruling. Offering a tight, graceful smile, she waved a dismissive hand. "Fine. You are the shareholder, Mr. Rothwell. You have the final say here."

She pivoted smoothly, turning her attention back to the disgruntled crowd. "Ladies and gentlemen, please follow me to the luxurious VIP room. We will negotiate the details of your compensation in private."

The wealthy customers murmured in agreement, trailing after her elegant figure.

Behind them, Camilla hugged her arms, a secret thrill warming her chest. Gideon had protected her. She stepped close to him, softening her gaze to feign deep remorse. "Gideon, I had no idea something like this would happen. I am so sorry for the embarrassing incident. I promise to pay more attention to the supply chain next time."

Instead of offering comfort, Gideon looked down at her with a flat, cold stare. "You don't understand the market," he warned her sternly, his tone devoid of any warmth. "Don't walk right into a situation like this in the future. Leave all these complex matters to Vivienne."

Without another word, he turned and strode toward the exit, Wyatt close behind him.

Left alone in the expansive lobby, Camilla stood frozen. Her manicured nails bit painfully into the soft flesh of her palms. Resentment boiled in her veins. She was the official, titled director of Lumina. Yet, Gideon had just forcefully ordered her to surrender actual operational control of the company to her hated rival.

Meanwhile, behind the closed doors of the VIP room, Vivienne moved with quiet, practiced efficiency. She directed the staff to bring out authentic, premium iterations of the disputed products, arranging the genuine jewels neatly on the polished table.

"Please accept these genuine pieces as complimentary gifts," Vivienne offered. She stepped back and bowed deeply to convey her sincere, professional apology. "Your payments have also been fully refunded through your respective platforms and will reflect in your financial accounts shortly. I am truly sorry for the trouble you experienced today."

The wealthy clients exchanged impressed looks, appreciating her thorough explanation. A prominent lady in the front smiled, waving her hand gracefully. "It is alright, dear. You gave us the general picture and made things right with a generous compensation. Let us wipe the slate clean."

"Thank you for your understanding." Vivienne personally escorted them to the elevators, ensuring they departed with vocal satisfaction.

A victorious lightness filled her chest as she took the elevator up to her designated executive floor. The massive crisis was averted. The elevator doors chimed open, and she stepped out in bright spirits—until she spotted the tall silhouette blocking the natural light.

Gideon stood perfectly still by the massive French windows at the end of the corridor.

Her ecstatic mood vanished the exact second she saw him. "What’s the matter, Mr. Rothwell?" she asked immediately, her tone dripping with a specific, venomous hostility she reserved only for him. "Are you here to vent for your little girlfriend again?"

He turned slowly. He disliked her aggressive attitude, especially since he knew she treated everyone else with such grace. "Can you stop talking like that?"

"Sorry, that’s just who I am," she said with a nonchalant shrug.

He stepped deliberately closer, his voice low. He thought he saw right through her complex psychology. "I know your relationship with Camilla has always been bad. You’re making her your target because she took over your mother’s company."

Vivienne stared at him, her face a mask of blank indifference.

Gideon pressed on, deciding to lecture her. "You have to be forgiving whenever there’s a chance to do so, Vivienne. Camilla hasn't even complained about what you did to her six years ago."

A sharp, humorless scoff escaped Vivienne's lips. The sheer absurdity of his words hit her hard. "What did I do to her six years ago?" she asked rhetorically, a dark smirk twisting her features as she met his gaze. "So, Camilla has become a victim to you?"

Gideon lowered his eyes, remaining silent.

The terrifying clarity of Camilla's flawless manipulation washed over Vivienne. Camilla had played the crying, pitiful martyr to perfection, using that lie to control both her father and Gideon. Her patience snapped.

"Yes, she has always been the pitiful one in front of others," Vivienne said coldly. "Even my father feels distressed whenever he sees her playing the victim. Let alone you."

"Vivienne Kensing—"

"Mr. Rothwell," she cut him off aggressively, refusing to let his towering presence intimidate her. "You don’t know a thing about what I’ve experienced, so you don’t have the right to judge me."

Her eyes locked onto his with an intensity that momentarily stunned him. "I don’t care what the enchanting Camilla has told you. But I am saying this with a clear conscience."

She took a sharp breath, her voice unwavering. "I was the victim of the incident from six years ago."

Without waiting for his response, she turned her back on him and retreated directly into her office, shutting the door behind her.