The Stand-In Who Burned the Script novel Chapter 396

Vivian's gaze remained calm, offering no further explanation.

She pulled out her phone. "I'm going to give you a number. Call her, and she'll handle all the arrangements for you."

"I..."

Claire rubbed her hands nervously against her clothes.

The sudden, overwhelming surge of relief left her so flustered that she didn't even know what to say next.

"Thank you... Thank you so much. I-I truly don't know how to repay you. If there is ever anything you need me for, please, just say the word. Okay?"

She felt utterly worthless, rendering even her gratitude embarrassingly inadequate.

Tears streamed uncontrollably down Claire's face, her heart hammering against her ribs.

Vivian licked the corner of her lips. "Then you should take down the number first."

Claire frantically dug out her phone and quickly saved the contact information.

"What about you? How should I address you? Or... could you leave me a way to contact you? Please?"

"There's no need."

Seeing that Claire had saved the number, Vivian slipped her phone back into her purse.

"I'm not someone who enjoys hassle. If you truly want to thank me, wait until you're back on your feet, and then pay it forward to someone else in need."

With that, she turned and walked away.

Claire stared at her straight, unwavering silhouette through a blur of tears.

A moment later, she bowed deeply toward the retreating figure.

"She's saved... Penny is saved."

The doctor's eyes were red as well, and she couldn't help but pull Claire into a hug. "Yes, Penny is saved."

For Vivian, it was an insignificant gesture. She simply happened to be there, felt a passing whim, and acted on it.

As the thought crossed her mind, she found it somewhat amusing.

Look at how people operate.

It was just a self-indulgent impulse, but the truth was, she wasn't a good person.

And so, she did.

The heavy chime of the FaceTime ringtone pounded against her chest, beat by beat.

To her surprise, he actually answered.

Vivian looked at the handsome face appearing on her screen, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

She sighed. "Looks like you couldn't help missing me either, huh? I thought you were going to keep your phone off for days."

Silas stared at her, his expression unreadable.

"Do you need something?"

"Nope, I just missed you."

Vivian shifted her position, lifting her phone slightly higher. The angle not only framed her face perfectly but also showcased her delicate collarbones and the pale, alluring expanse of skin below.

"So, what do you think? Do I look good?"

Silas's gaze grew deeply somber. "Want to just take it all off?"