Vivienne blinked, not a hint of hesitation in her eyes as she leaned in and captured those plush, ruby lips with her own.
It did not matter how many kisses it took.
To score a kiss from Mr. Wolf and savor a slice of strawberry shortcake—what could be better?
This was a win-win if there ever was one!
Back in the car, their personal driver, Leopold, and the ever-watchful bodyguard, Anna, seemed to materialize from thin air, taking their respective places without a word.
Vivienne indulged in her shortcake blissfully while Percival contentedly watched her enjoy every bite.
The atmosphere was surprisingly harmonious.
Leopold glanced at them through the rear-view mirror and lowered the privacy screen discreetly.
Out of sight, out of mind!
After finishing her dessert, Vivienne peered through a gap in the curtain at Anna and inquired, "What's up with Husky again?"
"Samoyed isn't answering her phone," Anna said dryly, propping herself against the car window.
Caught between the two couples day in, day out—it was downright exhausting!
She should have joined Thomas in handling the Ashford family factory affairs.
Vivienne knew all too well that ever since Griffin had gotten her hands on that new bomb prototype, she had vanished into her lab, immersing herself in work mode with no time for romantic distractions.
Work and love—she kept them separate with precision.
"Are we heading back to Rivenwood now? Does Griffin know?" Percival asked.
Leopold pulled the car over, lifted the screen with due solemnity, and declared, "Percival, you're right. We need to inform her posthaste. Let's go!"
Anna casually interjected, "Thomas said Griffin told us to head back first. She'll catch up after wrapping up her research. Oh, and she'll be bringing Thomas with her."
Though the Ashford family factory issue had been resolved, GTO's virus research base in Sea City remained a loose end.
Percival had tasked Thomas to stay behind in Sea City under the guise of guarding the new bomb prototype, continuing the covert investigation.
Meanwhile, he would handle headquarters affairs in Ravenwood.
Silence fell inside the car. Percival purposefully drew the curtain again, wrapping an arm around Vivienne as they drove off, carefree and content.
Anna turned her gaze to the scenery outside the window.
“Yes, this is nice,” She thought.
Leopold clenched his jaw.
What was going on now?
Thomas again!
That traitor had been in touch with Griffin behind his back!
“Just you wait!” He cursed inwardly.
Leopold floored the accelerator, channeling all his frustration as if the pedal were Thomas's head.
Vivienne could not help but muse—she had not noticed how close Thomas had gotten to Griffin.
She glanced up at Percival.
He nodded, whispering, "We've got to give our scientists some perks."
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