Three Years Forgotten, Why Go Crazy When I Say Goodbye? novel Chapter 403

Julian was still fuming. "Suit yourself."

Throwing the words over his shoulder, he stormed back into the private room without looking back.

Watching his retreating figure, a triumphant smirk spread across Vivienne's lips. The angrier Julian got, the more he believed the narrative she had just spun.

Once he was out of sight, she didn't head for the restroom. Instead, she marched straight over to Willow's table.

Willow had actually done her research before bringing Leo here. The Gilded Lantern perfectly showcased the vintage charm of New York, and the food was both phenomenal and distinct. It was the ideal spot to welcome a colleague who had just moved to the city.

She just hadn't expected to run into Vivienne. Given the woman's desperate need to show off, shouldn't she have taken her VIP guests to some obscenely expensive Michelin-starred trap?

It truly was a small world.

Thankfully, Willow couldn't care less about her. When Vivienne marched over, Leo immediately tried to stand up and confront her, but Willow pressed a hand to his arm, stopping him. She simply placed a piece of food on his plate. "Try this. It's a New York specialty. See if you like it."

Watching the blatant dismissal, Vivienne let out a sharp scoff. "Willow, you really have some nerve. I guess I underestimated you. I didn't realize you were so skilled at stabbing people in the back and stealing employees. This isn't your first time, is it?"

Before he could go on, Willow raised a hand. She met Vivienne's glare with a cool, indifferent smile. "Since you value the professor so highly, you'd better keep a very close eye on him. Don't give me any openings. Otherwise, if I end up snatching him away too, you'll be left with absolutely nothing."

"You!" Vivienne choked on her fury. Unable to formulate a comeback that could pierce Willow's armor, she spun on her heel and stomped away.

Once she was gone, Leo sighed in frustration, wishing he could have defended Willow properly. Now that they were free from the Sinclair Group, they didn't have to walk on eggshells around Vivienne anymore. They should have torn into her and demanded payback for all the grievances they had suffered.

But Willow simply shook her head. Dealing with a narcissist like Vivienne meant that fighting back only gave her the attention she craved. The absolute best punishment was sheer apathy—leaving her completely in the dark, wondering what they were plotting.