Chapter 160

Gabriel’s face showed a dawning realization of Vivienne’s unwavering resolve, but his desperation was fueled by the crushing weight of his mounting debt.

He opened his mouth to argue, but Claire Harrison intervened, gripping his arm. "Enough. Any further pestering would be disgraceful."

Gabriel stood frozen, his intentions clear yet stifled by his mother’s commanding presence.

Claire, meeting Vivienne’s gaze, softened her expression and admitted, "Truthfully, I also believe my son isn’t worthy of you. If you wish to reject him, do so without hesitation. There’s no need to concern yourself with our feelings."

Relieved by Claire’s unwavering support, Vivienne gave a respectful nod. Claire then turned to Gabriel. "Clean this mess up and leave with your friends. You’ve already disrupted the event long enough."

Resentment flickered across Gabriel’s face as he glared at his mother, but he complied, knowing any further scene would only deepen his humiliation—especially with the live broadcast still rolling.

To ease the tension, Claire swiftly took Vivienne’s hand and led her away from the stage, heading toward Donovan Sharpe and Preston Whitmore.

"It seems Mrs. Harrison’s affection for Vivienne surpasses even that for her own son," Evelyn Sinclair remarked with a light laugh.

Genevieve Blackwood added, "If Vivienne were willing, I believe Mrs. Harrison would gladly welcome her as a daughter-in-law. Did you see how fiercely she defended her earlier?"

Julian Blackwood stood, signaling the end of the spectacle. "All right, show’s over. Let’s go." Turning, he noticed Isabelle Laurent hadn’t risen yet and called out to her.

Isabelle, phone in hand, informed Evelyn with a hint of reproach, "You’re trending again."

Evelyn paused, then chuckled awkwardly. "Did I do something wrong?"

Isabelle pocketed her phone and responded, "Of course, doing the right thing isn’t wrong—but you really do take risks."

Evelyn understood her concern. Isabelle was hinting at the potential fallout of her actions, suggesting that in the delicate balance of refusal and acceptance, Evelyn might find herself in an awkward position if Vivienne ever reconsidered.

The air remained thick with unspoken tension as the group dispersed, leaving behind the remnants of a confrontation that had exposed far more than anyone had anticipated.

At times, Evelyn found herself taken aback by Seraphina’s impulsive actions.

Preston and Donovan shared similar concerns, wary of potential conflicts that might erupt during filming. Yet, they were relieved that the tension, though palpable, was minor compared to past disasters.

Their biggest worry now? Whether Claire and Vivienne could continue working together without incident.

Soon after, the group gathered to decide on the theme for the next scene.

The choice was made swiftly by drawing lots, prompting Seraphina to quip, "Isn’t the theme ‘home’ a little too on the nose after today’s drama? The internet will feast on this." She smirked, watching the director and producer exchange uneasy glances. "Honestly, watching them squirm is almost entertaining."

Julian and Genevieve bit back laughter, though the absurdity of the situation made it hard to stay composed.

Claire, ever the professional, remained focused, diving straight into discussing the upcoming scene. Vivienne, however, shifted uncomfortably, her unease impossible to miss.

As the behind-the-scenes discussions wrapped up, the group prepared to disperse. They noticed Gabriel and his entourage had already left—except for Gabriel himself, who lingered at the end of the hallway with Adriana and Victor.

Ever perceptive, Evelyn subtly guided her group to avoid direct confrontation, giving Vivienne and Claire space to pass without further drama.

Those familiar with Evelyn’s tactics sensed another spectacle brewing, shuffling their feet in anticipation.

Unexpectedly, it became clear that Claire and Vivienne had also parted ways. Claire strode ahead without hesitation, while Vivienne paused, turning toward Evelyn’s group.

Grateful by nature, Vivienne offered repeated thanks, acknowledging that her actions might have inconvenienced them.

"Make sure you reject it completely," Evelyn advised with a reassuring smile.

Vivienne laughed softly, touched by the encouragement. "I will."

Seizing the moment, Isabelle extended her business card. "If you’re looking to break free from typecasting or exploitation, you might need a professional manager. Consider joining our agency. Right now, our mission is paving the way for actresses." Her tone was light, but the offer was genuine.

Julian nearly choked on his drink at Isabelle’s awkward slogan.

Evelyn, amused, stifled a laugh. "Isabelle, that slogan needs work."