Three Years Forgotten, Why Go Crazy When I Say Goodbye? novel Chapter 353

Before she could even finish her sentence, Julian cut her off. "Are you resorting to using the kid now?"

Vivienne's fingers curled into tight fists. Her forced smile nearly slipped, because he had seen right through her. But there was no way she could ever admit it.

"Julian, how could you say something like that? Is that really the kind of person you think I am?" Instead of crying this time, she straightened her spine. She knew that in moments like this, projecting stubborn defiance made her lies far more convincing.

"Toby is our son. You've seen exactly how I treat him over the years. I dote on him constantly. How could I ever use him?"

"Furthermore, I have never once dragged our child into any issues between us. The reason Toby said what he said was simply because he's a good boy and didn't want to see us fighting. Are you seriously blaming me for our son's own innocent thoughts?"

Julian stared her down, his dark eyes searching hers, silently calculating the truth of her words.

Vivienne struck while the iron was hot. Toby was her ultimate shield; he was the only reason she had managed to tie Julian down for so many years, and she couldn't afford to let him doubt her devotion as a mother.

"When he came home today, Toby told me himself that his kindergarten teacher said children are only truly happy when their parents don't fight. He's growing up. He has his own thoughts, and he's becoming highly sensitive to everything around him. Even if it's just for his sake, please don't be angry with me in front of him anymore. Okay?"

Her delivery was flawless, laced with absolute sincerity and maternal concern. She refused to believe he could remain unmoved by that.

Vivienne stood in silence and absorbed his harsh reprimand without fighting back. When it came to manipulating emotions, she was an expert. She knew better than to clash with him when he was this enraged. She waited until he had vented his frustration before she made her move.

"The only reason I didn't tell you earlier was because I didn't want to add to your stress. You have enough on your plate as it is, and I couldn't bear to burden you with this. I had a full plan in place. If nothing unexpected had happened, I would have resolved the whole thing perfectly."

Julian let out a dark, mocking laugh. "Resolved it? How exactly? Do you have any idea what the rumors are saying? The entire firm knows they left because of you."

"They're lying!" Vivienne snapped back defensively. "Leo and his team left because they got headhunted by a better offer!"