Chapter 127

Zachary Hudson's slender fingers glided over a row of men's clothing.

His gaze was critical, but his movements were swift and decisive.

Any style that caught his eye was immediately yanked from the rack and tossed into Vivian Bennett's arms.

Fabric hit her one piece after another. She could barely hold it all.

The price tags were glaring. Each item cost several months of her salary.

Vivian's arms ached. She cursed Zachary a thousand times in her mind.

"Pick something." He suddenly leaned in close. His breath brushed her ear. "Whatever you like, it's on me."

Vivian gritted her teeth. "I don't need it."

She would rather stay poor than owe him a favor.

She would be grateful if he just stopped finding new ways to torment her.

Unfortunately, Zachary clearly had no intention of letting her off.

At the checkout counter, the clothes formed a small mountain.

The store clerk shot her a sympathetic glance. She silently handed over two of the largest shopping bags.

Dozens of men's outfits were stuffed inside. The weight made her wrists tremble.

Vivian carried two heavy bags of spoils. She stumbled along behind Zachary.

He walked at a leisurely pace. She felt like a laborer hauling a heavy load.

Her high heels dug into her feet. Every step was agony.

Zachary, however, was in high spirits. He turned and strode into the next boutique.

Three hours passed.

Vivian was nearly buried under shopping bags.

Red marks lined her hands. Her shoulders and back ached from the pressure. Her heels were already raw and bleeding.

She panted for breath, watching Zachary walk further away.

"What's taking so long?" He stopped by his sports car. He tapped the window impatiently.

Vivian simply stood still. "I can't walk anymore."

Zachary raised an eyebrow. A wicked smile touched his eyes. "What, you want me to carry you?"

She felt like throwing all the bags right in his face.

Suddenly, a familiar voice cut through the noise.

"Vivian Bennett?"

She froze. Her head whipped around.

Brandon White had just stepped out of a car with a glamorous woman. His sunglasses were pushed up on his forehead. He squinted, studying her.

Vivian's heart stopped.

She could not let him recognize her.

She gripped the shopping bags tightly. A surge of adrenaline gave her shocking strength. She stumbled and rushed into Zachary's car.

"Drive! Hurry, drive!" she urged the driver urgently.

Zachary slid into the car leisurely. His gaze swept over her pale face with amusement.

"Run into an old flame?" he sneered.

Vivian pressed her lips together. She said nothing.

"None of your business."

Zachary leaned closer. He lifted a strand of her hair with his fingertip.

"You're quite something. Even Liam Sullivan broke his rules for you... and now some other man? Just how many have you hooked?"

In the rearview mirror, Brandon was approaching with his female companion.

His eyes were locked intently on this car.

Vivian curled her fingers tightly. Her nails dug into her palms.

She absolutely could not... be captured again.