Nicholas raised his eyebrows. "Is this one of the little plans of your father, to get my approval or your plans to use me against your family?
"Vivian sighed and crossed her legs. "My father doesn't know I'm talking to you, and yes, I want to use you to go against my family. I need my mother's inheritance that she left for me. I know you don't want to fall in love, me neither. You can end the contract when you wish to."
Nicholas smiled, amused by Vivian's proposal.
"And what would I gain from the contract?" he asked.
Vivian shrugged, "You can avoid the gold diggers, ladies, and your mother's constant banter of getting you married."
Nicholas brought out a cigarette, rested his back against the wall, and started smoking. Vivian coughed as she inhaled the smoke.
"You know that is dangerous for your health, right?" she said. Nicholas paused.
"Is my fiancée worried about my health?" His eyes showing pure amusement,
Vivian's eyes widened; she was just bluffing when she brought up the contract; she didn't expect him to agree to it.
"So that means you agree to it?" Vivian asked, her eyes filled with hope.
Nicholas nodded, "Meet me in my office tomorrow; the contract will be ready to sign by then."
"You have to tell my father about it," Vivian smirked; she can't wait to see the faces of Evelyn and Kate when the marriage is brought up.
"Nicholas?, my father told me you would be here, am so happy you came, don't be annoyed, she's not supposed to be here", Kate said eyeing Vivian.
"Really? But we were having a great conversation before you interrupted," Nicholas said.
"About what?" Kate asked, frowning. "I can bring up a better topic than her, Nicholas," Kate said, hooking her arms in Nicholas's, who withdrew it immediately and glared at her. Dusting his suit, he said, "I've gotten bored of this party, Vivian. I hope we see each other soon." He smiled at her and left the two sisters.
"What did the two of you talk about?" Kate asked Vivian, her words filled with spite.
"That's not something I should tell you," Vivian said, standing up. "I'm also bored of this party."
"You are not going anywhere until you tell me what you talked about." Kate grabbed Vivian's arm; Vivian's eyes narrowed at her sister's pettiness.
"Let go of me and don't cause a scene here." Seeing that her sister wouldn't budge, Vivian yanked Kate's hands from her arm and pushed her to the floor.Kate's mouth opened, surprised at Vivian's defensive action. Filled with embarrassment, Kate screamed , getting everyone's attention.
Everyone rushed to the scene, and Evelyn, seeing Kate on the floor, rushed to her , sending a glare to Vivian. "I was just trying to be nice to her. I know she doesn't like me, but I didn't know it would lead her to try to hurt me," Kate said, faking tears.
"Vivian! Kate is your younger sister," Evelyn yelled. Vivian rolled her eyes. "Then tell her to stay out of my business; she's so nosy."
"That's not true; I just asked her what she discussed with Nicholas, but she won't tell me. She knows what Nicholas means to me," Kate cried.
"Vivi....," James started, "don't call me that," Vivian snapped,
"Apologize to your sister this instant," James yelled, losing his temper.
"Should I? I'm leaving this place; there's no point in staying here,"
"Get back here; you are not leaving until you apologize, Evelyn yelled after Vivian. She caught up to her and landed a loud slap; the guests gasped.
"Don't you think Evelyn is going too far?" A lady said, "I don't think so, Vivian deserves it; she treated poor Kate badly; that's why they call her the black sheep," another lady replied, causing the other to nod in agreement.
Vivian placed her hands on her cheek where Evelyn slapped her. This was not the first time she was slapped, but this would definitely be the last time. She wouldn't sit and let them walk over her like they used to.
"Evelyn, this is the last time you dare raise your hand at me. The next time you try that, you will regret it," Vivian said.
"You this ungrateful child, after everything your father and I have done for you," Evelyn said, faking a sob.
"James, there's a lot of drama going on here; this is not what I expected when I accepted the invite," Nicholas said from the end of the room, sitting on a chair with his legs crossed.
"Must you make your family drama public, are you looking for sympathy or attention? I shouldn't have wasted my time coming here," he said, standing up and leaving the mansion; his assistant followed hurriedly behind.
Nicholas would have been long gone if not for his personal assistant going missing for a few minutes together with the lady in blue, but he could have missed the way the Bowes family treats Vivian, and when Vivian stood her ground against them, it made him glad, but he didn't know why.
One thing was certain: Vivian Bowes is his newfound amusement.
"Wait, Mr. Keaton, we can still talk about the business deal." James called out but got no answer from him; he turned, staring at Vivian angrily, but maintained his composure not to cause another scene and lose another business partner.
"Take care of this," he whispered to Evelyn, pointing to Kate, who was still on the floor surrounded by men wanting to assist her.
"And you find your way out; you made me lose more than you can afford in your lifetime," James said to Vivian.
Vivian gladly left the mansion; at least Kate couldn't force out the conversation she had with Nicholas from her like she used to. Vivian liked this newfound confidence in her and would try her best to keep it burning.
"We are deeply sorry for the inconvenience; please continue to enjoy the party," Vivian heard James say behind her.