The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus) novel Chapter 419

Vivian gazed at the boy dressed in his princely attire, and a small smile touched her lips. "My dad's from overseas, of course, I've got different hair and eyes."

Dismissing him, Vivian turned to walk away, only for the boy to try and trip her with a swift move of his foot.

Vivian stumbled forward, barely catching herself from hitting the ground face-first. Her hands skidded along the edge of the flowerbed, skinning her palm slightly.

She stood up, her eyes icy with fury. "Back off, or you'll regret messing with me!"

But she simply turned and strode away, leaving the boy seething. It was the first time someone had told him to get lost, and with such audacity, at that. He followed her, his pride wounded. "Vivian, how dare you compete with me?"

Without so much as a glance, Vivian continued on her way, which only enraged the boy further. He charged at her with a clenched fist.

Hearing the commotion behind her, Vivian spun around and delivered a whirlwind kick just as the boy's fist was about to connect. He landed with a thud, crying out immediately.

Vivian looked down at him coldly. "I’ve warned you. You are just asking for it!” Her demeanor was a dead ringer for her father, James.

Dressed in her little white sundress, she looked like an angel descended from heaven. A year ago, her daddy had taught her self-defense moves, and to Vivian, the little prince was nothing but a nuisance.

The prince's wail drew the attention of his parents, who rushed over in concern. "Oh, my precious, what happened?" They exclaimed, scooping him up in their arms.

Pointing at Vivian, the prince sobbed. "She hit me!"

Before Vivian could speak up, she found herself enveloped in a warm embrace. "Who said she hit you?" James' deep voice was calm yet firm.

"Why did you strike the prince? He's royalty! If you hurt him, the Queen would never forgive you." The prince's mother scolded sharply.

"And what would the Queen do exactly? Vivian is only three years old, and your six-year-old prince is blaming her for his clumsiness. What a pathetic prince," James retorted coldly.

The prince's parents, faced with James' fierce gaze, left in a huff, cradling their son.

"Sweetie, did he bully you?" James asked Vivian, inspecting her for any harm once the prince's family had left.

She grinned up at him. "Daddy, I'm fine. He tried to hurt me, but I ended up kicking him over." Her eyes sparkled mischievously.

James was overjoyed. "That's my girl! Anyone who dares to mess with my princess will have to answer to me."

Vivian beamed, then suddenly remembered the scrape on her hand. "Daddy, I'm hurt," she whimpered, showing him the slight injury.

Seeing the scrape, James' heart melted with concern. "Let's go home, I'll put some ointment on it for you," he said as Vivian nestled into his embrace, playing the adorable card to the hilt.

Angela, who had been called away from a social event by James, followed behind them, her eyes brimming with happiness.

James himself hadn't anticipated how deeply he could feel, how a tender spot had grown in the recesses of his heart for his little girl.