Chapter 279

Vivian choked on her coffee, hastily wiping her lips. "You're joking, right? Nathaniel Blackwood—the man who's colder than ice—asked you for dating advice? This has to be some kind of prank!"

"I'm dead serious." Nathan Prescott smirked. "I gave him my best techniques. And judging by how he's acting now, I'd say he's learned a lot."

He launched into an animated explanation of his so-called foolproof seduction methods. The more Vivian listened, the more she recognized Nathaniel's recent bizarre behavior. She groaned, torn between exasperation and reluctant amusement.

"So that's why he made a new account to message me every day. And the money offers. And the way he talks to other women—" She let out a sharp laugh. "There’s an actual playbook behind it!"

At first, she had been furious with Nathaniel. But realizing he was just blindly following Nathan’s ridiculous advice made him seem almost... endearing. Her anger fizzled out, replaced by reluctant pity.

"Look, he claims he's doing all this to get you to drop the lawsuit against Cassandra," Nathan admitted. "But between you and me? I think he actually cares. That man has pride. If he didn’t give a damn, he wouldn’t humiliate himself like this."

Because of Cassandra.

Vivian’s brief moment of softness vanished. She shrugged, voice flat. "Doesn’t matter. It’s over now."

"True." Nathan nodded. "With Olivia breaking things off with Dominic, I wouldn’t be surprised if Nathaniel runs back to her. They were crazy about each other back in the day."

Vivian blinked, then forced a smile. "Good for them."

Nathan clapped her shoulder. "Anyway, water under the bridge. You and Liam seem happy. And hey—you’ve got a kid together. That’s moving faster than I expected."

Vivian didn’t respond.

She just smiled.

Maybe this was the best ending.

As predicted, Julian Montgomery was as sharp as ever. He won Nathan’s case with ruthless efficiency.

The key evidence? The victim had a pre-existing heart condition. Her death was primarily due to her illness, with the drug she’d taken being a secondary factor. Nathan’s company was fined and temporarily shut down for investigation—but he still paid the family a hefty settlement out of guilt.

"Murderers! You’re all murderers!"

"That judge is corrupt! That lawyer is a monster! My daughter will haunt you!"

The victim’s parents wailed in the courtroom, their grief twisting into rage.

Vivian, free from her own legal troubles, attended the trial. So did Nathaniel.

They didn’t speak. Didn’t even glance at each other.

As soon as the verdict was read, she turned to leave with Julian—only for Nathan to block their path.

"Dinner’s on me," he announced, grinning. "You two saved my ass. Least I can do is feed you."

Vivian opened her mouth to refuse, but Julian cut in. "Damn right. This case was a nightmare. You owe us steak."

So the four of them walked out together.

Unseen by them, the dead girl’s vengeful gaze burned into their backs.