Chapter 9: A Stingy Man is Not Worth Marrying

Feeling the warm liquid on her face and clothes, Vivienne Vane felt so disgusted she nearly gagged. However, she struggled to maintain her poise, forcing a smile as she asked, "Jasper, what’s wrong? Is there something the matter with the drink?"

Jasper hesitated, unsure of how to explain.

Deep down, he still didn't want to believe that Vivienne would harm him, nor did he want to hurt her feelings by saying he suspected the drink was poisoned.

Remembering that it was all because of Seren Thorne’s "rumors" that he had spat the drink out in a panic, he couldn't help but shoot a secret glare at Seren.

Dominic Vane pretended to be oblivious to any potential danger. He said to Vivienne, "Jasper has a picky palate; perhaps the drink just tasted bad.

"The things on the table are all messy now. I'll have someone replace the set."

As he spoke, he gestured for a waiter and requested a complete change of the utensils and tablecloth for their table.

Fortunately, the main dishes hadn't been served yet, so they only needed to swap the tableware without wasting food.

While the waiter cleared the table, Dominic grew cautious. Behind Vivienne's back, he sent a message on his phone, instructing someone to take his and Jasper's cups for laboratory testing.

If no toxic residue was found, it would mean Seren was wrong, and he could continue his life with Vivienne in peace.

But if the drink truly contained poison...

Dominic’s expression chilled.

Originally, if this woman was only guilty of infidelity and plotting for money, he could have found it in his heart to forgive her—simply sending her to prison would have sufficed.

But if Vivienne truly harbored murderous intent toward him and his son, then she could no longer be allowed to stay.

The waiter brought a fresh set of utensils. As before, Vivienne prepared to rinse the bowls for the father and son.

After the previous incident, Vivienne didn't dare act recklessly. As she rinsed the bowls, she stole a glance at Seren.

Seren happened to be watching her too.

As their eyes met, Seren bared her teeth in a wide grin.

"Why is Second Aunt looking at me? Did you do something guilty?"

Vivienne’s heart skipped a beat again. She feigned composure and said, "What guilty thing could I have done? I just think your face is beautiful and wanted to look a few moments longer."

"Is that so?" Seren arched an eyebrow, pulling out her phone to check her face in the front camera. "Actually, I think I’m quite stunning myself. Tell me, if I debuted as a celebrity, do you think I could make a fortune?"

Vivienne’s mouth twitched.

Why hadn't she noticed before that her niece-in-law was so narcissistic and loved to take a mile when given an inch? A simple compliment and she was ready to ascend to heaven.

She squeezed out a strained smile. "With your looks, you would definitely shine in the entertainment industry."

Seren nodded solemnly. "True. With this face, I’d absolutely slay the industry.

"But I’m afraid the other actresses wouldn't be able to survive once I entered the scene, so I’d better not steal their livelihoods."

Vivienne: "..."

She had seen shameless people before, but never anyone this shameless.

As Seren was speaking, Arthur Vane and Alaric Vane returned from greeting the White family.

After the two sat down, Arthur reminded Alaric, "I heard from Old White that the boy from the North family is also at this hotel tonight, entertaining guests in a private box upstairs.

"The North family patriarch helped me out a lot when I first started in business. Find some time to go up and say hello later. We might have business dealings in the future."

The Vane family had developed rapidly in recent years, leaping to the position of the richest family in the city and pushing the former richest family, the Norths, aside.

There wasn't much overlap between the business interests of the two families, and they rarely interacted. However, as the two giants of the city, some social etiquette had to be maintained.

Alaric nodded. "Understood."

Once the grandfather and grandson finished their talk, Seren couldn't help but ask, "Grandpa, the person from the North family you mentioned—is his name Sebastian North?"

Arthur nodded. "Why the sudden interest? Do you know him?"

"I don't. I've just heard of him."

{Holy cow, no wonder this hotel’s name sounded familiar. Isn't this the very hotel where the male lead gets framed and hunted down?}

{It’s today! The male lead gets ambushed by his rivals, escapes the hotel with heavy injuries, and finally collapses in a deserted alley, only to be saved by the passing heroine.}

{After the heroine takes him to the hospital, she has to leave for an emergency. The fake heiress, who was swapped with the heroine at birth, happens to arrive at the hospital and takes credit for saving him. From there, a whole series of melodramatic, dramatic stories unfold.}

Listening to her inner monologue, Alaric’s brow furrowed slightly.

So, the "male lead" Seren kept mentioning was Sebastian North, not a fictional character?

Could the world she lived in really be just a book?

The other members of the Vane family reacted with various expressions upon hearing her thoughts. Seren noticed nothing, still immersed in her own reflections.

{If I remember correctly, at the beginning, the male lead said he’d give the heroine one hundred million if she saved him.}

{Picking up a handsome guy and getting a hundred million for free—that’s just too awesome! Why don't these good things ever happen to me? Argh!}

A good thing?

Alaric’s face darkened slightly.

He was more handsome than Sebastian North and richer than him. Why didn't this woman think marrying him was a good thing? Why was she constantly thinking about divorcing him?

Certain someone had completely forgotten that he was the one who first proposed the divorce. He turned to Arthur and deliberately raised his voice, speaking as if casually:

"Grandpa, I recall that Vane Group's total assets surpassed the North Corporation last year, didn't they?"

Arthur’s mouth twitched.

When did his usually mature and steady grandson become so childish? It was like a primary school student vying for the teacher’s favor, insisting on proving who was superior.

Despite his disdain for his grandson's childish behavior, for the sake of the couple's happiness, he played along. "Yes. You are much wealthier than Sebastian North now."

Having received Arthur’s answer, Alaric focused on listening to Seren’s inner voice, expecting to hear words of excitement or admiration.

Instead, he saw Seren curl her lip in total disdain.

{This big villain is so stingy to his own wife, yet he has the nerve to brag about being the richest man.}

{Even the male lead, who isn't as rich as him, knows to promise a hundred million to the heroine. This guy was so stingy with five million that he regretted it and took it back halfway. No wonder the heroine never liked him. What a cheapskate.}

Hearing this, the Vane family members all cast contemptuous looks at Alaric.

Dominic: So my nephew is this stingy. No wonder the girl thinks about divorce all day. Tsk.

Jasper: If you can't afford five million, why get a wife? A stingy man is not worth marrying; not even a dog would take him.

Arthur also patted Alaric on the shoulder and sighed. "Alaric, don't blame others for not liking you. Sometimes, you need to look closer at your own faults."

Alaric: "..."