The Stand-In Who Burned the Script novel Chapter 27

At that moment, Vivian was lounging lazily in her office chair, her legs crossed. Her natural, wavy hair cascaded over her chest, and the sunlight slanting in from behind her made the strands practically glow.

She shot the woman a dismissive, idle glance. "Excuse me?"

"..." Amara's face twisted into an ugly scowl.

There was nothing she hated more than Vivian's arrogant, condescending attitude!

"My safe is missing!" Amara's chest heaved as she fought to keep her surging fury in check. "No one else but you would dare ransack my room!"

"How do you know that for sure?"

Vivian feigned confusion. "Besides, just because your little box went missing doesn't mean I took it. I'm busy all day long—how much could a cheap safe possibly be worth?"

"..."

The more nonchalant Vivian acted, the more convinced Amara became.

How could it be a coincidence?

Vivian had only just found out the Stella Pendant was in her possession, and the very next day, the safe vanished! It hadn't even been twenty-four hours!

Amara took a deep breath, her voice turning icy. "Taking that safe is useless. The Stella Pendant isn't in there."

Vivian paused and looked up.

"Then where is it?"

"It was you!"

"No, it wasn't."

"..."

Seeing Amara flush red with panic, Vivian completely relaxed. She leaned back into her chair, her tone utterly apathetic. "I'll admit I really want the Stella Pendant. But if you refuse to hand it over, there's nothing I can do. I'm certainly not going to ruin my own face over a piece of jewelry."

Amara pressed her lips into a thin line, remaining completely silent for a long moment.

She considered herself fairly knowledgeable about Vivian's character.

While Vivian was reckless and utterly unruly, she always owned up to her actions. If she did something, she'd proudly admit it.

Had she actually accused her wrongly?

"Yes."

Zoe continued, "I've already contacted a top-tier designer overseas who specializes in these kinds of vaults. He might have a workaround."

"Never mind, just leave it for now." Even setting her burning curiosity aside, Vivian was practically certain the Stella Pendant wasn't inside it.

"Have our people keep an eye on the major auction houses. I have a feeling Amara will try to take her anger out on the pendant."

"What should we do with the safe then?"

Vivian pondered for a second before a brilliant idea flashed in her mind. "Well, I'm getting married soon anyway. Shipping a few things over to my husband's house early... isn't out of line, right?"

Zoe was stunned for a second, but then entirely agreed with the logic.

"Of course not."

There were only ten days left until she left Northside for good.

After hanging up, Vivian spun her phone in her palm. She unlocked it again and found Old Mr. Sterling's iMessage thread.

The last message was from the old man, asking if she could add his grandson's contact first. She had been so caught up with work that she'd completely forgotten to reply.