The Stand-In Who Burned the Script novel Chapter 16

The request felt awkwardly similar to a blind date or an online romance. For once, Vivian felt slightly uncomfortable. "Grandpa Sterling... I don't really have any photos on this phone. Once I wrap up my affairs here, we can meet in person. Could you ask Mrs. Sterling to wait a little longer?"

Her sweet, respectful tone made Old Mr. Sterling beam with delight.

"You look stunning from every angle, my dear. Don't worry, she just wants a quick peek. She won't judge."

Left with no other choice, Vivian found a decent photo and sent it over.

She initially thought Silas Sterling was the one who wanted to see it.

But then she realized—the man was completely blind. How exactly was he supposed to look at it?

It was obviously his mother trying to vet her future daughter-in-law.

Tossing her phone aside, Vivian sat frozen on the couch for a moment before heading to the bathroom, shedding her clothes as she walked.

Her radiant complexion was marred by horrifying, mottled bruises—a gruesome gift from Jonah Granger.

She stood in front of the bathroom mirror.

The woman staring back had stunning curves, sharp, elegant jawlines, and breathtaking features. Objectively speaking, she was an absolute knockout in anyone's eyes.

Anyone but Jonah Granger.

He hadn't given her a second glance in three years. As it turned out, his heart was entirely consumed by another woman.

Vivian let out a hollow laugh, turning to crank on the shower. The blast of freezing water cascading over her head finally shocked her mind back to clarity.

She didn't want to think about anything right now. She just wanted a good night's sleep.

Her sleep was deep and dreamless.

The very next morning, the moment she arrived at the office, she got a call from her contact. "The trouble you requested will arrive around 10 AM today."

Vivian raised an eyebrow. "That precise?"

"Hmm?"

"I just got back to the office. I can head over there today."

That kind of effortless synchronicity was always incredibly satisfying.

The man chuckled softly, his rich voice purring over the line. "Go on, then. He won't have the energy to argue with you. Right now, he'd probably sign a murder confession without even glancing at it."

Vivian didn't ask how he knew so much. The man was brilliant and terrifyingly mysterious, but one thing was certain—he would never betray her.

Dominic's face was beet red, looking like he was about to flip his desk.

"I already told you the regulatory audit was flawless! Why are you still hounding me about this? How the hell am I supposed to know? I don't!"

"Why didn't you bring this up back then? That was ages ago! You bringing it up now is just a deliberate attempt to sabotage me!"

"How about this? Director Lennox, let's meet up privately. This really isn't a big deal, right? Just do me a solid..."

Judging by the absolute meltdown that followed, the man on the other end clearly shot him down.

"You people are a bunch of extortionists!"

Vivian lowered her gaze, a faint, wicked smirk sliding across her lips.

Glancing at the folder in her hands, she strolled gracefully to his desk and flipped straight to the final signature page.

She pulled out a pen.

And tapped it gently twice against the desk.

Dominic was listening to the voice on the phone, his face twisted in unhinged irritation.