The Stand-In Who Burned the Script novel Chapter 535

It was public knowledge that the current heir of the Granger family had seized his power through force. His biological mother had been a woman of lowly status, nowhere near the position of the official matriarch.

She had never given him a shred of maternal love, and Jonah held zero genuine affection for her.

Jonah's eyes finally darkened entirely. His hands, resting on the table, clenched into tight fists, the veins bulging against his skin.

Vivian glanced at them, a flash of mockery passing over her lips.

She picked up the pristine white napkin and leisurely wiped her hands.

"Jonah, I don't know what wire got crossed in your head to suddenly make you decide you 'like' me again, but..."

"We aren't the same kind of people. When I agreed to your terms, my sole intention was to use you. You couldn't possibly have been blind to that."

She had initially thought she might squeeze a bit more use out of him, but today's lunch made her realize that some leverage just wasn't worth the cost. Playing pretend with him every time was like swallowing garbage.

"Let's put all our cards on the table. You don't need to investigate for me anymore. Our transaction ends here."

"Transaction?"

Jonah's eyes were bloodshot as he stared her down.

"In your heart, agreeing to let me pursue you, having dinner with me... it was all just a transaction?"

"What else would it be?" Vivian found it genuinely amusing. "Did you honestly think I was planning to give you a real chance? Don't be ridiculous."

She stood up, her downward gaze giving off the illusion of absolute dominance.

"This is where it ends. We don't need to see each other ever again."

She had only taken two steps when the man's hoarse voice sounded from behind her. "Wait!"

Vivian stopped but didn't turn around.

"Even... just being normal friends. That's out of the question?"

Every word seemed forcibly dragged out of Jonah's throat, thick with agony, unwillingness, and repression.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify