Chapter 2

2

Garrison pulled Serenity behind him like he was protecting a wounded cub. His face was cold, and his voice was a deep, moody growl.

"Vivienne, you'd better stop testing my patience."

"I've warned you before. Serenity is off-limits."

"What are you talking about?" Vivienne snapped, her temper rising. "We just got here. I didn't even recognize her. How am I bullying her?"

We were the customers, and Serenity was the waitress. Instead of serving us, she was acting like we'd slapped her.

Seeing the tension between Vivienne and Garrison, Serenity tugged on Garrison's sleeve and whispered, "Miss Sterling, I'm so sorry. Here is the menu. What would you like to order?"

"Get me a different server!" Vivienne called out. "Where is the manager?"

It was a perfectly reasonable request, but in the ears of a "kind, hardworking, and suffering" heroine, it sounded like a death threat.

Serenity swayed on her feet, looking like she might faint.

Garrison held her tight, his eyes filled with pity. "Vivienne, you really think you can do whatever you want just because your family has money?"

"Fine. I'm buying this steakhouse right now. You're not welcome here. Leave."

Just like that, the restaurant changed owners within thirty minutes, and we were kicked out.

Vivienne sat on the curb, looking defeated. "I made Garrison angry again."

She looked at me like a lost puppy. "What should I do now?"

I squeezed her hand, giving her a "watch this" look.

I pulled out my phone and dialed the city's business bureau, the labor board, and the consumer protection hotline.

My complaints worked like a charm.

Rumor has it that the steakhouse became Garrison's first-ever financial disaster since he started in business.

When Serenity heard about it, she felt so guilty that she started working multiple jobs day and night, claiming she had to pay Garrison back.

Eventually, she collapsed in the middle of a torrential downpour.

That night, Garrison supposedly picked her up in front of a crowd and carried her two miles through the rain to the hospital.

All while his driver followed behind them in a freaking Maserati.

From that day on, Garrison ignored Vivienne entirely. He even put out a public statement:

"I, Garrison Miller, could never love a woman as malicious as Vivienne Sterling."

"If you ever target Serenity again, I will make you pay."

Vivienne was so angry she nearly ended up in the hospital herself.

"I didn't even do anything! Why is everything my fault?"

"Zoe, go find someone to teach that girl a lesson."

Here it comes!

In the original book, Vivienne's downfall started exactly with "teaching Serenity a lesson."

As an employee who values my life, I quickly jumped in with some advice. "Violence solves nothing, boss. In the Art of War, the highest form of victory is outsmarting the enemy. Physical conflict is for losers."

Vivienne looked thoughtful. "Did Sun Tzu say that? What does outsmarting mean? Like, using a better trap so we don't get caught?"

Good god. She's gorgeous, but there's really nothing between those ears, is there?

I decided to pivot.

"Think about it. If our goal is Garrison, we need to focus on Garrison."

"Why did Garrison take that little brat to the hospital?"

Vivienne asked, "Why?"

"Because she was working hard!"

"Think about it, boss. Garrison is a CEO. What does a capitalist love most?"

Vivienne nodded. "Money?"

How vulgar!

"No! Hard work!"

In the original novel, Serenity's personality was her biggest draw.

Even though she was poor, she was diligent, hardworking, and studious. Garrison even met her while she was working at a hotel.

I had the staff prepare all the company's recent performance reports and ordered the department heads to give daily industry briefings.

Vivienne protested.

"When will I have time to go see Garrison then?"

Who cares about him? Your company is about to vanish!

Facing her doubts, I stayed patient and spun a new narrative.

"Look, Serenity works so hard, and that's why Garrison likes her."

"She works sixteen hours a day. Let's start smaller. How about you work ten?"

Vivienne reluctantly agreed. "That actually makes sense. Fine, I'll work ten hours a day."

Under the constant guidance of the department heads, Vivienne was soon buried under a mountain of reports and strategies.

Even Garrison started feeling uneasy and began asking around about what Vivienne was up to.

Just like that, the plot where she bullies Serenity was bypassed.

I finally felt like I could breathe again, until I ran into Serenity at a high-stakes business auction.

"What has Miss Sterling been busy with lately?"

"Work," I told her simply. "Running a company this size isn't easy. You can relax; she won't be bothering you anymore."

If Vivienne doesn't look for Serenity, the main plot shouldn't involve Vivienne, right?

I didn't expect Serenity to look up with those big, tear-filled eyes again. "Are you looking down on me? Fine, I'm poor. I have no money. You guys get to go inside while I'm stuck here as a greeter. Are you satisfied now?"