Chapter 521
“This is my dowry when I got married. I’m giving this to you as a graduation gift. You’ll be attending banquets soon enough. It’s inevitable. Having this kind of jewelry is suitable for such luxurious occasions.” Catherine picked up the necklace and put it around Vivian’s neck. The weight shocked Vivian. She didn’t expect it to be so heavy. Her hand flew over her lips after briefly touching the cold jade pendant, feigning surprise and affection. “I have never received such a precious gift.”
Catherine’s kindness was reflected in her smile. “It doesn’t matter if it is precious or not. The most important thing is that it suits you. You look so beautiful with this necklace.”
Vivian frowned and pretended to refuse. “Mom, I don’t think I deserve this.”
“Don’t talk nonsense!” Catherine scolded, but her tone was gentle. “You are our child now. In the future, you can get more than just jewelry. As a member of the family, you are entitled to some shared of the Turner Group. Both your father and I think girls shouldn’t work too hard on their careers.” noveloz.com
Catherine continued, her voice not losing its softness. “If you like to do something, you do it. If not, you can always take it easy and enjoy like other ladies. Whatever it is you want is fine. As long as the Turner family is here, you can depend on us. Live a carefree life.” The mention of the shares made Vivian’s eyes twinkle. She wasn’t expecting Catherine to talk about it on her own and so willingly too.
Of course, Vivian’s main objective was to secure the Turner family shares. That was the reason Jeremy had sent her there. She’d been worrying about how to bring the topic up naturally, but now Catherine had conveniently done it for her by revealing their plan to give her the shares anyway.
“It puts me in a bit of an awkward position, mom,” she said. “There’s really no need for you to give me the shares.” Vivian spoke as though her priority was the Turner family. “If you give me the shares rashly, it might upset the shareholders,” she said. “After all, I’m not even a blood relative. You and father are still young, and the Turner Group can’t develop without you. Shares play no part in my staying here, anyway.”
Vivian’s flat-out refusal of the shares made her appear sincere.
She still didn’t understand why Catherine had brought up the shares to begin with, though. Perhaps it had been a test, and Vivian had been too shrewd to fall for it.
After hearing Vivian say her piece, Luke seemed to relax a little.
“That’s a very reasonable attitude, Vivian,” he said. Luke’s praise had a touch of parental affection.
Luke had been wary of Vivian, but her refusal of the shares quelled his suspicions.
Vivian was keenly aware of Luke’s feelings. It had been easy for her to deceive Catherine, but deceiving Luke was far less simple. As a businessman, Luke was highly discerning.
Catherine and Luke shared a look, silently understanding one another, and signifying the end of the conversation.
“Then we’ll talk about that later.” Catherine smiled warmly and continued to fill Vivian’s plate.
Halfway through the meal, Catherine turned to Luke. “Where’s the destination?” she asked.
“Let’s go to Hokkaido,” Luke replied. “Wouldn’t you like to see the snow? It’s the snow season now. Anyway, if you like that idea, I’ll ask my assistant to book the flights today.”
Vivian was surprised. “Are you going on a trip?” she asked.
Catherine nodded. “I floated the idea past Luke before he went to hospital. We’ve had too much on our plates over the past six months. We need to unwind. Now that the company’s workload has been reduced, we finally have time.” At the mention of the past, Catherine’s face grew weary. “We’ll leave the villa to you then,” she said. Catherine handed the key to the villa to Vivian.
Vivian clasped the key tightly in one hand. “Don’t worry,” she said seriously. “As long as I’m here, nothing bad will happen.”
A few days later, at the Barnes international airport.
Vivian passed Catherine the suitcase. “I’ve packed up all yours and dad’s medication and put them on your backpack,” she reminded her. “I’ve also set alarms on your phone to remind you when to take them.”
Catherine put her hand on her heart. “You’re so considerate,” she murmured. Catherine was touched.
Turning to Luke, she said, “Have you given Vivian the document?”
“I only just got it from the lawyers,” Luke replied. “Don’t stress.” Luke passed Vivian a file.
Vivian looked at it curiously. “What’s this?” she asked. Opening the file, she saw that it contained a share transfer form.
Vivian paused, and Catherine patted her on the shoulder. “Don’t worry,” she said soothingly. “Your father has taken care of everything. No one will dare gossip. You’re our child.”
Vivian’s eyes filled with tears. She signed her name on the document and gave Catherine a big hug.
Luke took the form back from Vivian and said, “I’ve investigated you before. You’re funded by both Charis and Brandon. Please keep in mind, I don’t want you to have anything to do with Brandon in the future.”
Vivian bowed her head. “Of course,” she replied. “I know what I should and shouldn’t do.” Vivian maintained an obedient disposition.
As Catherine and Luke boarded the plane, she watched them leave through tear-filled eyes.
Only once the plane was in the sky did she raise her head and dry her tears.
“Finally,” she muttered. “The performance is over. I thought they’d never leave.”
Vivian fished out her phone and gazed down at the photos of Natalie and Draco holding one another that were going viral. At last, she was in a good mood. “I didn’t expect the paparazzi to work so quickly,” she said with a smile.
Vivian raised her eyebrows, a smug expression plastered on her face. As soon as the gossip came out, Natalie would be very preoccupied having to deal with it.
