Chapter 285: The Rowe II

Chapter 285: Chapter 285: The Rowe II

Anthony noticed the change in Damian’s expression.

His cousin had gone completely still.

Anthony followed his gaze.

Then he saw her.

Vivienne.

For a moment, Anthony simply looked at her.

It had been nearly two weeks since he had last seen her.

He hadn’t realized how long it had been until now.

She was seated near the windows, the warm light falling softly across her features. Her golden curls were pinned back, and the deep wine-red dress suited her far too well.

Anthony’s gaze lingered.

He noticed the bare line of her shoulders, the graceful curve of her neck, the way the dress followed her figure.

She looked beautiful.

He had always known that.

But now he allowed himself to look.

For a moment, nothing else mattered.

Then he noticed the man sitting across from her.

Platinum-blond hair.

A familiar face.

Anthony recognized him immediately.

Christopher Archibald.

His senior.

His vice president.

Anthony had worked with Christopher through the student council for the past two years. Christopher had been president during Anthony’s second year, and now, with Anthony serving as president in his third, Christopher had stayed on as vice president, helping him settle into the position and its responsibilities.

Anthony respected him.

Christopher was capable, serious, and dependable. They had worked together long enough for Anthony to know exactly what kind of person he was.

Which only made the sight in front of him more confusing.

Anthony looked back at Vivienne.

She was speaking to Christopher.

Then she smiled.

Christopher said something else.

Vivienne laughed softly, her hand lifting briefly toward her hair before falling back into her lap.

Anthony’s expression tightened.

He had seen Vivienne behave differently at the pool party.

There, he had been watching her from across the room, uncertain at first whether she had noticed him. But when she invited them to sit with her and began acting more deliberately, he had understood.

She had been trying to get a reaction from him.

Perhaps she had wanted him to see her with Damian.

Perhaps she had wanted him to regret what had happened between them.

Whatever the reason, Anthony had known that her behavior had been deliberate.

This was different.

Vivienne didn’t know he was here.

She hadn’t glanced toward their table once.

She wasn’t trying to catch his attention.

She wasn’t performing.

She was simply talking to Christopher.

And she looked comfortable with him.

No.

More than comfortable.

She looked interested.

Anthony’s eyes remained on her.

When did this happen?

He genuinely couldn’t understand it.

He had never known that the two of them even knew each other.

How had Vivienne met Christopher?

Through the university?

Through one of the organizations?

Through friends?

Anthony couldn’t think of a connection.

He looked at Christopher again.

Christopher seemed perfectly at ease, listening to Vivienne with a faint smile.

Then Vivienne smiled again.

Anthony’s fingers tightened slightly around his glass.

Something about the sight bothered him.

He couldn’t quite explain what.

He looked away for a moment.

Then, almost against his own will, his attention returned to them.

They were still talking.

Still smiling.

Still completely absorbed in each other.

Anthony’s jaw tightened.

The longer he watched, the less the scene seemed to sit right with him.

He didn’t know why.

He only knew that he didn’t like what he was seeing.

And, increasingly, he was finding it difficult to look away.

--

Evelyn noticed where Anthony was looking.

Her gaze followed his.

Then she saw Vivienne.

Her expression immediately soured.

Of course.

Vivienne Beaumont.

And she wasn’t alone.

Evelyn’s eyes shifted to the man sitting across from her.

For a moment, she simply stared.

She knew him.

Everyone did.

Christopher Archibald.

Fourth-year Political Governance.

Student council vice president.

Former student council president.

And the Prime Minister’s son.

He was one of the most sought-after men at the university—the sort people talked about even when he wasn’t in the room. Intelligent, accomplished, well-connected, and undeniably handsome.

Platinum-blond hair.

Silver-gray eyes.

A strong, refined face.

Broad shoulders.

The kind of presence that drew attention without him having to ask for it.

Evelyn had never spoken to him personally, but she knew enough to understand why so many girls considered him one of the best catches at the university.

Her eyes narrowed.

And she’s with him?

She watched Vivienne smile at something Christopher said.

Then she laughed softly.

Evelyn’s expression darkened.

Of course.

Of course.

Damian.

Then Fred at the pool party.

And now Christopher Archibald.

How many men does she need?

What irritated Evelyn most wasn’t that Vivienne was pretending to be innocent.

She knew better than that.

She had seen Vivienne’s sharper side herself.

She had heard the biting remarks.

She had been on the receiving end of that cool, perfectly composed tone Vivienne could use when she wanted to put someone in their place—and she had done it without hesitation, even with Anthony standing nearby.

No.

Vivienne wasn’t some helpless little innocent.

She knew exactly what she was doing.

And yet, with Christopher, she was suddenly all smiles and shy glances.

Evelyn watched her lower her gaze for a moment before looking back at him.

Her lips pressed into a thin line.

What do they even see in her?

Well.

Evelyn knew the answer to that much.

Vivienne was beautiful.

Exceptionally so.

And she was a duke’s daughter, with the name, connections, and social standing that came with it.

Objectively, she had plenty to offer.

But beyond that?

What did these men actually see?

Evelyn’s gaze moved from Christopher to Damian, then back to Vivienne.

She scoffed inwardly.

They’re not thinking with their heads.

Or perhaps they were just thinking with their other head.

At least Anthony was different.

Surely he wasn’t foolish enough to be swayed by a pretty face alone.

Evelyn glanced at him.

He was still watching Vivienne.

A faint, satisfied thought crossed her mind.

Perhaps this time, Anthony would finally see what she had already seen.

Perhaps he would finally be disgusted too.

--

Tbc