The Stand-In Who Burned the Script novel Chapter 172

Chapter 172

“I checked the layout. There’s only one camera in the hallway, which just proves we had dinner with him. It doesn’t prove I’m the one who beat him up. We stick to the truth. I defended myself, sure, but how much damage could a helpless woman like me actually do?”

She scoffed. “Harrison Fowler was absolutely wasted. For all we know, he tripped and fell on his own.”

Zoe was momentarily speechless, but a wave of relief washed over her.

“Understood.”

“Don’t panic. I’ve got everything under control.”

She let out a sudden, cryptic laugh. “And if things go south, we always have Mr. Sterling.”

Silas certainly wouldn’t want to play the hero, but their marriage was a documented fact. Whether he liked it or not, he was involved.

After getting ready, she headed downstairs. Martha Gable was clearing the dining table. Hearing Vivian approach, Martha turned with a warm smile. “Miss Fairchild, Mr. Sterling asked me to prepare some soothing soup for your stomach. He wanted you to take it to

work for lunch.”

Vivian paused, genuinely surprised. “He did?”

Silas Sterling, being thoughtful?

“Yes, ma’am,” Martha replied softly, perhaps intentionally advocating for her boss. “He might seem a bit rough around the edges sometimes, but he’s actually incredibly meticulous. He takes wonderful care of the staff here, too.”

Vivian couldn’t argue with that.

But she knew perfectly well that his tender care didn’t extend to her.

She smiled faintly. “Alright. Thank you.”

After a quick breakfast, she took the thermos and drove to the office.

As she pulled into the parking garage, Zoe sent her an iMessage confirming the police were still waiting.

Her expression remained perfectly placid as she parked her car and rode the elevator up to her floor.

“Vivian Fairchild?”

Two officers stood up the moment she walked through the doors.

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Chapter 172

“We’re here to ask you a few questions regarding the assault on Harrison Fowler.”

“Of course. Ask me whatever you need.” Vivian offered a polite, disarming smile and guided them into the conference room. She glanced at her assistant. “Zoe, please bring our guests some coffee.”

“Right away, President Fairchild.”

“I apologize for the wait. Traffic was terrible,” Vivian said gracefully as she sat down.

“Not a problem at all.”

Faced with such a stunning and courteous woman, the officers instinctively softened their demeanor. “There’s no need to be nervous, Miss Fairchild. This is just a routine inquiry.”

“I hit him.”

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Her blunt confession threw the officers completely off balance.

“Miss Fairchild… what did you just say?”

“I said, I hit him.”

Vivian laced her fingers together on the table, her expression twisting into a perfect mask of anxiety and distress. “As you probably know, I was meeting Mr. Fowler last night strictly for business. I brought my assistant along, expecting a professional dinner. I had no idea he would show up alone.”

The officers exchanged a look, jotting notes down on their pads.

“And then?”

“And then he kept pouring drinks…” she murmured, her voice trembling. “He’s the Editor-in-Chief. I didn’t feel like I had the power to refuse. After a few glasses, I felt dizzy.

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