The Stand-In Who Burned the Script novel Chapter 343

"Liam." Simon let out a covert sigh of relief, composed himself, and strode over with a strictly professional tone. "Apologies, but you can't go inside."

Liam ground his teeth. "So this whole blockade is meant for me?"

Simon just offered a polite, unwavering smile in response.

If you already know the answer, please don't make this harder for us.

"Is Vivian his daughter? What gives him the right to lock her up like this?"

"You must be joking, Liam. Mr. Sterling isn't keeping Miss Fairchild prisoner. We're simply here to ensure her safety and keep anyone with ulterior motives at bay."

Obviously.

Those 'ulterior motives' were aimed squarely at him.

Liam had no patience for this runaround. He raised a sharp brow. "I won't go in, then. Have Vivian come out to see me."

There was no way Simon was letting Vivian come out, but facing down the young master of the Ziegler family left him feeling a bit out of his depth.

"Liam..."

Simon chuckled awkwardly. "Miss Fairchild is recovering from a minor injury. Demanding to see her now would just disrupt her rest, wouldn't it?"

"Are you telling me what to do?"

Liam narrowed his eyes. "When Vivian and I first met, your boss wasn't even in the picture. Now, are you going to let me pass, or do I have to lay all of you out on the pavement first? Your choice."

"..."

Simon didn't want to make that choice.

He had five bodyguards with him...

Even if they could take Liam in a fight, they wouldn't dare lay a hand on him.

Simon's palms were sweating, but he held his ground. "Liam, why don't you give the boss a call? If he gives the green light, we'll gladly step aside."

Liam's gaze darkened.

"It's not that we don't want you here, Liam, it's just..."

Simon offered an apologetic smile. "You know how chaotic hospitals are. Miss Fairchild barely got any rest with all the drama going on."

Liam ignored the excuse and dialed Vivian directly.

At that moment, Vivian was sitting cross-legged on the rug, intensely studying a video tutorial on how to knit a scarf.

She glanced at the caller ID, recognized the number, and answered.

"Are you coming out, or am I coming in?"

Vivian instinctively glanced toward the front of the house. "You're here?"

The sheer contrast of it all hit him with an indescribable visual impact.

Amusement dancing in his eyes, Liam walked over and lightly pinched her cheek.

"Beautiful and adorable."

His gaze drifted to the tablet. "Planning to knit me a scarf?"

He was standing much too close. A crisp, unfamiliar scent caught in the breeze and washed over her. Vivian's gaze flickered slightly as she took in his devastatingly handsome face, beautifully sculpted by the lighting.

She exhaled softly and tapped the home button on the tablet.

"I think a lack of self-awareness really ruins a guy's charm."

"..."

Liam wasn't offended. The smile in his eyes only grew warmer.

"Why are you here?"

"To see you."

He looked her up and down. "You got hurt?"

If a stranger overheard that tone, they might not assume they were intimately involved, but they'd certainly assume they were old, dear friends.