Chapter 185

Vivian Bennett froze in place, caught off guard as Zachary Hudson wrapped an arm around her waist.

Her eyes widened in disbelief.

Why was Zachary here?

And why was he helping her?

It would have made more sense if he had teamed up with Isabella Sullivan to torment her.

This playboy who always enjoyed teasing her was unexpectedly coming to her rescue.

It felt utterly surreal to Vivian.

"How... how could she possibly be your girlfriend?" Isabella's voice trembled, her face pale.

Although she had orchestrated those online rumors herself.

She had fabricated them entirely to drive a wedge between Vivian and her brother.

She never imagined that Vivian and Zachary actually had something going on.

This woman not only seduced her brother but also dared to mess with Zachary?

"Got a problem with that?" Zachary lazily lifted his gaze, his peach-blossom eyes icy cold.

Isabella shivered under his stare and immediately fell silent.

Of course she had a problem.

But Zachary wasn't her brother Liam Sullivan.

She didn't dare act out in front of him.

"Does it hurt?"

Zachary looked down, his fingertips gently tracing the bloody scratches Isabella had left on Vivian's arm.

His touch was unusually tender.

"It's fine." Vivian steadied herself and shook her head.

But internally, she was reeling.

Had Zachary lost his mind today?

He seemed like a completely different person.

Playing the hero to rescue her?

"What would you like for dinner? I've already reserved a table at your favorite restaurant. Shall we go now?"

Zachary smirked, his tone intimate as if they were long-time lovers.

Without waiting for her answer, he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and guided her toward the exit.

As they passed Isabella, he paused.

"Please tell your brother to stop harassing my woman."

His words struck like thunder, leaving Isabella speechless.

His woman?

Was Vivian really involved with Zachary?

Sophia Miller was equally bewildered.

Forgetting her confrontation with Isabella, she hurried after them.

Just outside the boutique, Vivian pulled away from Zachary's embrace.

She knew she owed him for getting her out of that situation.

Otherwise, Isabella would never have let her off easily.

But his final words—"my woman"—didn't sound like just a ploy to help her.

It almost felt like he meant it.

"Thank you," Vivian said, stepping back with distant politeness.

"Is that all?" Zachary raised an eyebrow, a playful smile curling his lips.

"What else?" she countered warily.

She studied him carefully. His expression was inscrutable, his entire demeanor radiating a dangerous charm she couldn't decipher.

"At least have dinner with me?" A dark glint flashed in Zachary's peach-blossom eyes as he smiled enticingly.