The Stand-In Who Burned the Script novel Chapter 441

It wasn't a negotiation; it was a demand.

Vivian Fairchild hadn't heard that kind of tone in a very long time.

She asked quietly, "What are your conditions?"

"Shut down this company of yours."

"..."

"A woman should act like a woman. Since you are married, you might as well shift your focus back to the family. You can do something else if you must, but continuing to mingle with people in the entertainment industry? Absolutely not."

The entertainment industry was notorious for its chaos. With a face as beautiful as hers, she would naturally draw countless eyes.

How could the Sterling family accept a daughter-in-law like that?

Vivian twisted the ring on her finger. When she was sure the older woman was finished, she slowly looked up. "Are you saying that if I don't close Astra Media, I have to separate from Silas?"

Cynthia Sterling's expression barely shifted, but she gave a firm nod.

"Yes."

"Then let me be perfectly clear. This company will never close."

"..." Seemingly shocked by her absolute defiance, Cynthia's face darkened. "Are you saying you want to divorce Silas?"

"I don't think that's for you to decide."

"..."

"When Silas and I got married, your family said nothing. You didn't even show an ounce of basic care. Now that we're finally meeting, you walk in here and make such an unreasonable demand. Don't you think... you're crossing a line?"

Cynthia hadn't heard such blatant insubordination in years. Her face flushed red, then pale, as a complex wave of emotions surged in her chest. She wanted to explode, but she couldn't even find the right angle to start.

"You are Silas's mother, which makes you my mother-in-law in name. Logically, no matter when you visit, I should welcome you with open arms."

Vivian offered a warm smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "But if you only came here to dictate my life, then I'm afraid I cannot comply."

"You..."

Cynthia pointed a trembling finger at her. "You have absolutely no manners!"

A thoughtful gleam flashed in Vivian's eyes. The moment Zoe returned, she ordered, "Look into when she flew back, where she departed from, and who came with her."

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Zoe's gaze darkened. "Understood. I'll get on it immediately."

Cynthia had rushed straight to Astra Media the moment she stepped off the plane, completely skipping a meal.

Now, she had completely lost her appetite. Her chest felt suffocatingly tight.

Her private car was waiting downstairs. She slid into the backseat, taking a long moment to compose herself before pulling out her phone to call Silas.

He only answered on the second try.

"Mom."

"So you still remember I'm your mother?"

The anger she had just suppressed flared up again. Cynthia scoffed coldly, "I'm back in the country. Bring your wife to see me tonight. You know the estate on Northside Avenue. I'm staying there."

She wanted to see if that wretched woman would dare to act so disrespectfully in front of Silas!