Chapter 294

"She's not perfect, but she's the best option available!"

Margaret Whitmore sighed deeply. "You're nearly thirty, yet you've barely dated anyone."

"Cassandra Delacroix is too manipulative, and Olivia Sinclair's history with your best friend is messy. After careful consideration, Vivian Lockhart is the only suitable choice. Her only flaw is her family background."

"But what truly impresses me is her competence. She quietly built her own company, leads the Tech Innovators Alliance, runs a successful law firm, and even snatched Blackwood Group's biggest clients. She's far from the shallow socialite I assumed. I admire capable women—this new version of her is wife material!"

Nathaniel Blackwood rarely heard his critical mother praise anyone, let alone Vivian. The admission stunned him.

After all, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law conflicts were timeless. If Margaret approved, maybe he and Vivian could truly start fresh?

Start fresh?

The thought jolted him.

"Mom, you're overcomplicating things. The question isn't whether she's qualified to be my wife—it's whether she'd even consider it," he said flatly.

"She wouldn't?"

Margaret's frown returned, her usual haughtiness resurfacing. "It's an act. She's playing hard to get. Do you know how many women would sacrifice anything to marry into the Blackwood family? Why else would she have stayed for four years despite everything?"

Nathaniel crushed her optimism. "If being Mrs. Blackwood meant so much, why did she sign the divorce papers without hesitation? Why rush the process?"

Margaret paused.

Her son had a point.

Recalling their earlier interaction, he was the one pursuing Vivian, who seemed utterly indifferent. If this was a game, she was overplaying it.

"Tsk. Sigh."

Margaret scrutinized Nathaniel head to toe, her expression pitying.

He stiffened. "Just say what you're thinking."

She ignored him, first admiring his chiseled features, then poking his toned arms and abs. "This makes no sense. You're even more attractive now. Why has she lost interest?"

Nathaniel: "..."

"Here's an idea," Margaret said gravely. "Change your wardrobe. Stop wearing suits every day—you look too rigid. Women over twenty-five prefer warmth, not ice princes. Try something youthful to reignite her attraction."

Nathaniel barely resisted saying, Thanks, but no thanks, Mom.

Who would've thought the woman who once demanded daily divorces would now coach him on winning Vivian back?

"And adjust your personality. Be proactive. Chat her up. Show enthusiasm." Margaret's urgency grew. "That disaster magnet has charm—half the elite bachelors are already circling her, especially Theodore Osborne's son. If you delay, it'll be too late."

Only now did Margaret realize Vivian's appeal.

Freshly divorced, yet suitors lined up—high-quality ones.

Losing such a daughter-in-law was unacceptable. She'd been blind before. But if Nathaniel acted now, there might still be hope.