Chapter 6: Stop Making a Scene, I’ll Be Home Tonight

She spent the night alone.

The next morning, sunlight spilled over Vivian Hale, who was dressed in white silk pajamas, adding a touch of soft beauty to her silhouette.

Glancing at the untouched other half of the double bed, she knew Adrian Cross hadn't returned all night.

He hadn't even bothered to send the substitute to appease her.

Vivian felt a sensation like ants gnawing at her heart—a dense, prickling mix of pain and itchiness.

But more than that, she felt a sense of unworthiness for her own devotion.

She got out of bed with a self-deprecating smile and washed up. Her phone rang; it was a legal representative from Adrian’s company, speaking with a very respectful tone.

"Mrs. Cross, your 3D game rendering patent at the company is about to expire. We need you to come to the office to handle the renewal procedures personally. Would it be convenient for you to come now?"

Vivian narrowed her eyes slightly. Finally, the time had come.

Few people knew that the core technology behind the Zenith Corp’s world-renowned ARPG, "Island of Gods," was actually created by Vivian Hale.

However, back when Adrian proposed, he told her, "I want to create a virtual world exclusive to you, so our love can live forever." Moved by this, Vivian had gifted him the 3D rendering technology, which was worth hundreds of millions, for free.

The game trailer had trended the moment it was released.

Even before its official launch, it received overwhelming acclaim.

To this day, three years later, it still generated tens of millions in monthly revenue for Zenith.

But the promise of her owning half the shares had never materialized; she hadn't received a single penny in dividends.

Of course, the technology that once took the world by storm was now considered somewhat average, making it less "critical" in Adrian's eyes—which was likely why he had legal contact her directly.

She also knew a crucial piece of information: the reason Tiffany Rose was able to climb into Adrian’s bed and get him to coax her at any cost was because of a rumor that she had developed a new patent.

Word was that once this new patent hit the market, it would cause an even greater sensation.

A new patent?

Recalling the investigation files, Vivian couldn't help but curl her lips in irony.

If Adrian eventually found out that the new patent was also her own creation—one she had originally intended to give him for free, but which would now go to a competitor because of his greed—how would he react?

And what of Tiffany, a fraud who fooled the public with snippets of information she’d seen somewhere?

Vivian took a deep breath, steadied her breathing, and replied.

"I’m available. I’ll be there in half an hour."

This time, it wasn't just about the new patent. She wouldn't be giving away the old one to an unworthy person either.

A renewal? In his dreams.

She sat at her vanity and meticulously applied her makeup. With just a few strokes, her features became strikingly vivid—bright, brilliant eyes and cherry-red lips.

Changing into a red dress, she looked instantly radiant.

Vivian straightened her back and headed toward Zenith Corp.

Half an hour later, the massive silver building appeared before her.

Cold and hard, it looked like a crown.

She was once the person who crowned Adrian, but now she was merely a discarded piece.

Despite her long absence, many employees still remembered Vivian.

The moment she stepped through the company doors, numerous looks of surprise and admiration were cast her way.

"President Hale... what brings you here?"

Several veteran employees who had once been close to Vivian immediately gathered around.

These professionals, who led teams of hundreds with efficiency, looked at Vivian now as if she were an idol, their eyes shining with admiration.

"Since 'Island of Gods' was released three years ago, you've rarely visited the office."

"How is your health lately? Are you doing well?"

"We all still want to play a few rounds of games with you!"

Vivian responded to each of them with a smile.

With her brows and eyes bright as the morning sun, she looked once again like the "Red Rose" everyone had adored years ago.

However, this harmonious scene didn't last long. A delicate, high-pitched female voice rang out from outside the crowd: "So this is Mrs. Cross! Oh my, why have you come to the office? Are you here to bring President Cross his lunch?"

With one sentence, she had relegated Vivian back to the position of a mere housewife.

Vivian looked toward the source of the voice and saw a face as fresh as a jasmine flower after rain.

It was Tiffany Rose.

Vivian remembered the photo on the sponsorship application form from years ago.

Back then, the girl wore two rustic braids and had red rims around her eyes, looking as innocent as a little white rabbit.

To build his persona as a charitable entrepreneur, Adrian had pointed at her file randomly.

"We’ll sponsor her."

As it turned out, the "sponsorship" eventually led her right into his bed.

Despite all the prior investigation, this was Vivian's first time seeing her in person.

The rustic look was long gone, replaced by makeup that hid a calculating mind.

From her words and the arrogant air she carried, it was clear how Adrian usually described Vivian to her.

Vivian knew Tiffany was currently working at Zenith and had just passed her internship.

Because of the patent rumors, she was highly favored by Adrian.

However, she was still young. Like a commoner who had suddenly struck it rich, she found it hard to hide her true colors and had offended many people in the company.

If not for Adrian’s sake, everyone would have snapped at her long ago.

"Not everyone is as lucky as you, Mrs. Cross, able to be an idle person living off an old patent. We have to keep striving to improve..." Tiffany continued.

She stopped mid-sentence, feigning a look of panic.

"Ah, I speak too bluntly, please don't mind me..."

The atmosphere suddenly turned subtle.

Watching Tiffany, who couldn't hide her petty schemes, Vivian sneered inwardly.

With such shallow wits, she wondered how Tiffany dared to go along with the lie about the massive patent. Had she never considered how she would settle things once the patent was actually finalized and made public?

Or perhaps, she had other plans.

Before Vivian could speak, Ruby, who was standing nearby and could no longer stand it, spoke up: "President Hale is a founding member of this company! When she was running projects here, you hadn't even grown your hair out! President Hale comes and goes as she pleases; since when does she need your permission?"

"Life must be truly dull for a toad to start critiquing a human."

Ruby had a fiery temper and had been holding it in for a long time. With Vivian here today, she finally vented her frustration.

Someone nearby couldn't help but let out a muffled chuckle.

Tiffany’s face turned pale, and she put on the act of a startled rabbit: "I was only thinking about the company's future development. If everyone were like Mrs. Cross, it would negatively affect the work atmosphere..."

Ruby rolled her eyes, about to say more.

Tiffany’s face suddenly flushed red. Her gaze landed behind Vivian, and her voice took on a sobbing tone.

"If I said something wrong, Mrs. Cross, you can scold me, but please don't fire me."

Vivian frowned, but before she could speak, a voice tinged with displeasure came from behind her.

"It’s working hours. Why is everyone crowded here instead of working?"

Vivian’s body stiffened slightly.

She turned around and came face to face with Adrian Cross.

A flash of stunned admiration crossed the man’s eyes.

When he had been looking at her back in the crowd, he had felt a strange sensation.

His heart had skipped a beat, as if he were seeing the vibrant, spirited Vivian Hale from before her body was scarred.

And when she actually turned around, Adrian felt his heart truly miss a beat.

However, this moment of fluttering was quickly interrupted by Tiffany’s frail display.

Tiffany pushed through the crowd and ran straight to Adrian. She crossed her arms over her chest, pointedly pushing her impressive curves toward the man’s eyes.

"President Cross, I only wanted what was best for the company. I didn't mean to upset Mrs. Cross. It’s all my fault, I’ll accept any punishment!"

Adrian frowned slightly at her display.

So, Vivian had actually learned how to be jealous and make things difficult for others now?