The Stand-In Who Burned the Script novel Chapter 453

Vivian’s hands, hidden beneath the desk, squeezed tightly twice. She looked at the man just a step away, her gaze calm and inscrutable.

In those brief few seconds, even Jonah couldn't read what she was thinking.

A few moments later.

She returned to her relaxed, casual posture.

"Alright."

The single word floated lightly from her lips. She added, "With Mr. Granger's help, anything I do will yield twice the result with half the effort, and finding a person will be a breeze... But I'm very curious. What do you want me to do for you in return?"

She certainly didn't believe Jonah would be acting out of the goodness of his heart.

To gain, one had to give.

This was a fundamental truth Vivian had always firmly believed in.

"I don't need you to do anything for me."

Jonah's gaze deepened, as if he wanted to carve her exquisite face into his very soul. "I only have one condition. Stop pushing me away. At the very least... give me one more chance to pursue you."

Vivian really wanted to tell him she was already married, but given the current circumstances, it hardly seemed necessary.

She shrugged. "Fine."

"But I can't guarantee you'll win me over."

The line of Jonah's jaw tightened. He didn't say a word.

"You know how it is. When someone gets hurt, they automatically throw up defensive walls. Especially someone like me, who hasn't exactly had a smooth life. I have to stay constantly on guard. Surely Mr. Granger... understands that?"

Memories of the past flooded back. Jonah thought of all the idiotic things he had done, feeling a wave of guilt and bitter regret.

He forced a faint smile and said deeply, "Yes, I understand."

"Well then..."

Vivian looked toward the door. "Your company must be quite busy, so I won't keep you for dinner. Also, I'll be waiting for your good news."

Perhaps because her attitude had already shifted so drastically today, Jonah didn't try to linger. He stood up and left.

Zoe had been guarding the door the whole time, having caught the gist of their conversation.

In this day and age, it was a dog-eat-dog world. Whether at the bottom of society or in the so-called upper crust, being a saint guaranteed a miserable end.

Vivian was in a fantastic mood these past two days, mostly because her relationship with Silas had taken a massive leap forward.

She instructed Zoe to push back any meetings that could be rescheduled. She had a date.

"You handle tonight's business dinner for me. But don't just take the female executives; bring a man along too."

At the dinner table, alcohol was the main currency.

If the other party saw an all-female team, they might start getting inappropriate ideas.

This put Zoe in a tough spot. "Miss, where am I supposed to find a reliable man on such short notice?"

"..." That was a problem.

Got it!

Vivian's eyes lit up. She pulled out her phone and scrolled for a number. "Hold on, I'll find you a reliable one."

It was almost the end of the workday. She headed downstairs while making the call. The moment it connected, the corners of her lips curled up.