Chapter 304

"Your daughter-in-law?"

A dangerous smirk played on Julian Blackthorn's striking features.

So this elegantly dressed woman was Eleanor Whitmore, Vivian's former mother-in-law.

"To my knowledge, Miss Lockhart is currently unattached. It's rather presumptuous of you to claim such a title."

"What would you know?"

Eleanor lifted her chin defiantly. "One day as my daughter-in-law means forever my daughter-in-law. Until she remarries, no one can strip me of that position."

Julian slid his hands into his tailored pockets with an amused chuckle. "Then I'm afraid you'll be sorely disappointed. I'm actually here to escort Miss Lockhart to meet my family. Should things proceed smoothly, she'll soon have a new mother-in-law."

Eleanor's sense of impending crisis spiked. "Who exactly are you? Who are your parents? What's your relationship with Vivian?"

Before he could respond, she barreled on confidently, "Do you have any idea how deeply Vivian loves my son? How desperately she longs to become Mrs. Blackwood again? Their reconciliation is inevitable. She'd never entertain meeting your parents."

"Is that so?"

Julian's smirk widened as he arched an eyebrow. "Shall we ask her together how much she 'loves' your son and 'yearns' to reclaim that title?"

Ahem.

Eleanor's composure faltered slightly. "That won't be necessary. Time will tell."

If confronted directly, her fabricated claims would crumble instantly. She'd never subject herself to such humiliation!

"Mark my words—her ex-husband is Nathaniel Blackwood. A woman of her caliber would never settle for some nobody!"

Unfazed, Julian replied cheerfully, "As you said—we'll let time decide."

Eleanor stormed into Blackwood Group's headquarters like a hurricane. Employees ducked behind monitors, recognizing the storm warning in her stiletto clicks.

"Where's my son? I demand to see him immediately!"

She marched straight to the executive floor and slammed both palms on the secretary's desk.

"Madam Whitmore, the CEO is in a board meeting. Perhaps you'd like to wait in—"

"No delays! This is critical!"

She barged into the conference room without knocking. "Nathaniel! Drop this nonsense meeting—you're about to lose your wife!"

Gasps.

Dozens of executives' professional façades cracked as gossip-hungry ears perked up. Blackwood Group housed the most devoted "Vivian-Nathaniel" shippers in the corporate world.

Nathaniel massaged his temples, wishing the marble floor would swallow him whole.

Through gritted teeth, he stood. "My office. Now."

Eleanor nodded approvingly. "Finally, some urgency!"

The moment the door closed behind them, the boardroom erupted.

"Told you our CEO still loves her! The reconciliation arc begins!"

"$100K says Vivian takes him back!"

"$500K against it—that woman never looks backward!"

"$100K on romantic redemption!"