Remarriage Failed Again Today

Vivian Yates deliberately rubbed her body against his, her lips brushing against his firm chest and his sexy Adam’s apple.

Taking in her faint, fresh scent and fiery touch, Xylas Shepherd instantly felt a tightening in his groin, a surge of raw desire flaring up within him.

He instinctively tightened his arm around her waist.

Vivian Yates sensed his reaction, and a flash of secret glee lit up her eyes.

Then, she immediately pushed him away, her face flushing bright red.

The warmth and fragrance in his arms vanished in an instant. Xylas felt a pang of longing as he looked up at her. Her face was flushed as red as an apple—an utterly adorable sight.

Truth be told, men love to see a girl blush—especially one they’re attracted to.

And right now, Xylas found her utterly adorable.

A smirk played on his lips as he said disdainfully, "You’re still the same as ever. Timid and useless."

Vivian Yates put on a troubled expression. Unaffected by his jibe, she sighed and said deliberately, "I’m not in a good mood today, so I’ll be leaving now. Thank you for saving me."

Hearing this, Xylas’s brow furrowed as he remembered the moment he’d hit her in the middle of the road. "What’s wrong with you? Why were you so out of it?"

"I..." Vivian Yates started, looking as if she were about to burst into tears. The rims of her eyes suddenly went crimson, and her brimming, sorrowful expression was undeniably pitiful.

"Say it! What’s wrong?" Xylas pressed, growing anxious.

This was exactly the reaction Vivian Yates was hoping for. She gave a pale smile and said, "It’s nothing..."

After speaking, she lowered her gaze as if lost in thought. Anyone could tell she was holding something back. It had to be said—leaving things half-unsaid was a powerful way to spark the imagination.

Xylas’s face darkened. "Don’t make me ask a third time!" he commanded.

Vivian Yates looked up, her expression one of fright. She looked so pitifully beautiful, her eyes clear and innocent.

Seeing her frightened expression, Xylas felt a pang of... something. He walked over and asked in a softer voice, "Go on, what is it? We’re friends, aren’t we? Maybe I can help."

Vivian Yates cautiously raised her head, a look of gratitude on her face. "Thank you, Xylas. I’m fine, really, just in a bad mood. I should get going. Let’s meet up sometime when you’re free."

With that, she quickly left.

’Actually, some things were better left unsaid. For a man like Xylas, if he really put his mind to it, there was nothing he couldn’t uncover.’

’Telling him outright would seem too deliberate. It was far more interesting to make him investigate it himself.’

’This pawn... she was definitely going to use him.’

Xylas watched Vivian Yates’s retreating figure, his brows furrowed slightly.

’What in the world could have happened to make her so miserable?’

Sure enough, after standing there for a moment, Xylas made a call. "Find out everything you can about Annabelle Ainsworth," he said coolly. "I want the file on my desk by this afternoon."

"Yes, sir."

Listening from around the corner, a triumphant smirk spread across Vivian Yates’s otherwise grim face.

...

When Vivian Yates returned, Annabelle Linton and the others were already back. Leona Grant was there as well, and they were all eating dinner.

Noticing the wound on her forehead, Leona Grant shot it a cool glance before continuing to place food on Annabelle Linton’s plate.

A flicker of schadenfreude crossed Ashley Grant’s eyes as she watched her with an amused look.

Only Annabelle Linton’s brow furrowed slightly.

’Even if she was suspicious, as long as nothing was confirmed, this was still her cousin.’

Annabelle Linton asked with concern, "Janie, where have you been? Why are you back so late? And that cut on your forehead..."