Chapter 17: Eight Dishes for One Meal

Seeing that there was no reply for a long while, Vivian Hale set her phone aside and headed into the bathroom.

By the time she finished a relaxing hot bath, she saw a reply from Ruby.

"I understand, Manager Hale. From now on, no matter where we are, as long as you need us, we are at your beck and call."

Vivian curled her lips, not the least bit surprised.

Over the next period of time, Vivian spent every day burrowed in her study, waiting for the approval process for her overseas job application while waiting to see if she was pregnant.

She never stopped her research and development; only with money could she have the confidence to secure her future.

While she was running a program, her phone suddenly rang.

Vivian turned to look and found it was another call from Eleanor Cross.

She raised an eyebrow. Last time, she had left this woman fuming; she thought she’d have some peace for a while.

She hadn't expected her to call back so soon.

Vivian leaned against the back of her chair and answered casually.

"Hello, Mom."

The dissatisfied voice of the middle-aged woman quickly came through: "When are you coming back? You're becoming more and more disrespectful to me as your mother-in-law. Do you even care about this family anymore? You're not even as devoted as an employee like Tiffany."

Vivian smiled, but her voice remained flat.

"Sorry, Mom. I've been trying my best to get back, but the flights haven't resumed yet."

Eleanor gave a heavy, cold snort. "Forget it, forget it. It’s not like you’re useful even if you come back. Tiffany has already handled many things for Adrian; she even came up with a way to upgrade the patent. A subordinate who is young, beautiful, and capable is far more useful than you."

"Since you're abroad anyway, bring back a gift for Tiffany when you return. She’s been a huge help to our family. Something worth a million or two will do; take it out of your living allowance."

Appropriately, a woman's soft chuckle could be heard in the background.

Vivian could easily tell it was Tiffany Rose's voice.

So, this phone call today was nothing more than a power play.

She remained calm and submissive. "Okay, Mom."

Hearing her agree so easily, Eleanor's attitude softened significantly.

"You know, our Adrian was always outstanding. Before he got married, there were plenty of noble ladies and heiresses chasing him. But he only chose you, so I had no choice but to let you into the family. Fortunately, you’ve been quite well-behaved and sensible since you married in."

As she spoke, she sighed, sounding as if she were granting a grand mercy. "Right now, Tiffany is so efficient that it’s only a matter of time before Adrian gives her the position of R&D Director. With her at the company, I can rest easy. But there’s no one to take care of Adrian's personal needs, which is unacceptable. Hurry back."

Hearing this, Vivian just wanted to laugh.

Did they think she was some kind of doormat?

Go back to serve that pair of trash?

However, her tone today was clearly not as sharp as it had been the other day.

She figured Eleanor must have another motive.

She intentionally said, "Okay, Mom, as soon as possible."

Sure enough, Eleanor’s next sentence gave it away.

"Good, hurry up. By the way, I’ve finished the medicinal diet you prepared for me. Prepare some new ones and send them over! Also, book me an appointment at Star Source Beauty Salon."

So, that was it.

Vivian couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

The Cross family had a hereditary genetic disease, and none of them were in very good health.

Eleanor was getting older and had several underlying conditions.

Therefore, the family's diet had always required extra attention.

In the past, because she loved Adrian, she was naturally willing to put effort into caring for his family.

She hadn't hesitated to spend a fortune to hire a renowned old doctor of traditional Chinese medicine, meticulously preparing medicinal meals based on the Cross family's eating habits to help regulate their health.

As for the beauty salon, it was because she knew the owner of Star Source. Thus, the salon, where memberships were nearly impossible to get, would specifically open a green channel for Eleanor, allowing her to get treatments without queuing.

But now...

Vivian let out a long, hollow sigh into the phone.

"Mom, didn't you just say Miss Rose is exceptionally capable? I can't get back for now, so why don't you let her handle these small matters? I'm sure she’ll do a better job than me. I'm not feeling well right now, so I'm hanging up."

With that, without waiting for Eleanor to speak again, Vivian hung up directly.

She let out a cold laugh.

In this family, whoever wants to serve can go right ahead.

The Cross family mansion was brightly lit.

Eleanor Cross sat in the middle of the sofa, clutching her phone in stunned silence.

Vivian Hale actually dared to hang up on her! And those words just now—was she being sarcastic?

She had graciously given the woman a way out!

Eleanor’s face turned bright red, and she suddenly vented her anger at Adrian, who was nearby. "Look at Vivian’s attitude toward her elders! Asking her to do something is harder than inviting a deity! And she's a cripple to boot. If this doesn't work out, just divorce her!"

"I want to see what that woman has to be so arrogant about. Once you leave her, who would ever want her!"

Adrian was wearing a black suit, and his expression was somewhat grim.

The way Vivian had spoken to Eleanor just now—sharp-tongued and biting—was truly unlike her usual self.

He felt it was abnormal.

Could it be that he had been ignoring her too much lately, so she was angry?

Adrian frowned and replied, "We'll see."

No matter how flawed Vivian was, he didn't want to let her go.

She had no living relatives now and had been a housewife for so many years; if they divorced now, it would be like driving her to her death.

After all, they had so many years of history. He wasn't an ungrateful man, especially since he had once loved this woman so passionately.

However, hearing this, Tiffany Rose, sitting nearby, couldn't sit still.

What was so good about Vivian? Even at this stage, Adrian still wouldn't agree to a divorce?

Tiffany was dissatisfied, but she didn't dare show it.

She smiled and said, "Auntie, don't be angry over someone who isn't worth it. I'll find a way to handle the medicinal diet and the beauty salon."

Hearing this, Eleanor immediately broke into a smile. "I knew Tiffany was the one who knows how to talk. In that case, I'll leave the medicinal diet to you."

"It's just a small matter. This is the beauty salon; find some time to renew the membership card. As for the herbs, I heard Vivian say she always got them from Professor Li Hong..."

As she spoke, she sent the addresses to Tiffany.

When Tiffany saw them, her breath hitched.

The Diamond Membership at Star Source—she had only ever heard of it.

And Professor Li Hong?

She had also heard of Li Hong and the traditional Chinese medicine group behind him.

The Li family owned a massive herbal base, and their quality was famously superior.

But that also meant that not just anyone could buy from them—even with money, it was often impossible to make a purchase!

How on earth did Vivian Hale get those herbs...

Tiffany’s hand tightened on the list, and for a moment, she was speechless.

Eleanor noticed something was off and swept her gaze up and down Tiffany.

"Tiffany, you're a smart girl, and now you're the second-in-command of the company. A small matter like this shouldn't be a problem for you, right?"

Tiffany was backed into a corner.

In the end, she had no choice but to brace herself and agree.

"Don't worry, Auntie. Just leave these things to me."

She refused to believe that she couldn't accomplish something that even Vivian Hale could do!