Chapter 16

Sunlight streamed through the glass window.

Vivian Bennett rubbed her sore neck.

Sophia Miller neatly gathered the real estate agent's materials beside her.

"Not satisfied after seeing over a dozen places?" Sophia raised an eyebrow. "Your standards are stricter than our mission requirements."

Vivian pressed her lips together helplessly.

Her cousin Grace Harper had held her hand that morning, begging her to stay.

Even her usually distant cousin-in-law Jason Harper offered to give her a larger room.

But she knew better.

This sudden warmth was entirely because of Liam Sullivan's appearance that day.

"I can't keep disturbing my cousin's family," Vivian said softly. "Besides, they're planning for a second child."

Sophia snorted. "That Jason Harper changes his tune quickly. Wasn't he complaining about you being in the way before?"

Vivian didn't respond.

Some things were better left unspoken.

They entered an elegant Western restaurant.

Sophia expertly ordered two steaks.

"Just move in with me," Sophia said while cutting her steak. "You can pick any room in my three-story villa."

Vivian nearly choked on her water.

"All those booby traps of yours? No thank you."

Last time she visited Sophia's home.

She almost triggered an infrared alarm just trying to get a glass of water.

Sophia blinked. "I can turn off the defense system."

"No," Vivian waved her hands quickly. "I'd like to live a few more years."

Sophia was about to continue persuading her when she noticed her friend's expression change suddenly.

Vivian's gaze fixed on the restaurant entrance.

Her fingers tightened unconsciously.

Sophia followed her line of sight.

Liam Sullivan was entering with an elegant woman.

The woman held hands with a five or six-year-old boy.

The three walked directly toward the second-floor private dining room.

"Isn't that Liam Sullivan?" Sophia whispered.

Whispers came from other diners behind them.

"The richest man has a child?"

"Is that his sister Isabella Sullivan beside him?"

"I heard they're not biological siblings..."

"Could it be an illegitimate child?"

Vivian's heart sank suddenly.

Those details she had deliberately ignored suddenly connected.

Liam's urgency to arrange blind dates.

His specific demand to marry her.

Was he actually looking for a stepmother for his illegitimate child?

She gripped the dinner knife in her hand.

The cold sensation sobered her slightly.

This marriage proposal was likely an elaborately designed trap.