The Stand-In Who Burned the Script novel Chapter 179

Chapter 179

His impenetrable gaze snapped to hers, suffocating and lethal. “If you weren’t wearing the title of Mrs. Sterling, I wouldn’t have just left you to rot. I would have locked the cell door myself,” he rasped, his voice dripping with malice.

Brutal honesty.

Cute.

“You’re the first person with the audacity to use me as a pawn, Vivian.”

His tone was devoid of emotion. If she had been a bit more arrogant, she almost would have taken it as a compliment.

Vivian blinked, her voice taking on a sickly sweet, incredibly fake vulnerability. “Did I have a choice? The Fowlers and the Giffords are out for my blood. I’m just an outsider. How was I supposed to survive that? I had to rely on my big, strong husband.”

Like she couldn’t survive.

Silas let out a silent, mocking scoff.

He knew damn well that the second she stepped into that private dining room with Harrison, she had ten different backup plans locked and loaded. Even if he hadn’t sent his men to bail her out, she would have walked free regardless.

Rely on me?

Bullshit.

Silas exhaled slowly. His gaze was thick with dangerous intent, slowly pinning her in place. “So, what you’re saying is, without me, you’d be dead?”

“Pretty much.”

Vivian nodded with total solemnity.

She peeked up at him through her lashes, looking for all the world like a frightened, delicate little thing terrified of his wrath. She deserved an Oscar for this performance.

Resting her slender fingers on the edge of the mattress, she subtly inched closer. And closer.

Until her hand brushed against his. With agonizing slowness, she slid her fingers between his, lacing their hands together in an achingly intimate grip.

“I admit I was wrong to drag you into it,” she murmured, her thumb tracing his knuckles. “But you aren’t completely innocent here. I had to meet Harrison for those advertising contracts. I couldn’t just blow him off.”

“But…”

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12:06

Chapter 179

She tilted her head, giving him the most pathetic puppy-dog look she could muster.

“And you knew exactly what kind of monster he was! You knew Zoe only fought back because we had to. I was the one being victimized, Silas! Yet instead of rushing to save me, you left me to rot so you could run your twisted little loyalty tests.”

Her sickly sweet whining sent an intoxicating jolt straight into his nervous system.

Who was it that said men were weak for a helpless woman?

She was weaponizing it perfectly.

Silas just stared at her, waiting to see what absolute garbage would spill from her mouth

next.

Vivian lowered her head, looking utterly defeated. “I know you think I’m part of some massive conspiracy, but who would be backing me? If I actually had a rich sugar daddy, I wouldn’t be fighting for scraps in this city. Silas…”

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