[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-2603220ECDF1-581":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},581,23,"Chapter 23: The Name That Stained Her Screen","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">It was a bit of dark humor—that period of my life really was the absolute peak.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The relationship was solid, the career was thriving, and everything was going my way.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">None of the messy garbage that followed had happened yet.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I don't think I've ever really heard you talk about your past,\" Roman suddenly said.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The smile lingering on Violette’s lips faltered for a fraction of a second. She lowered her lashes, her gaze drifting away. \"The past is just the past. There’s nothing to tell. School, weekend tutoring, parents obsessing over my hobbies, sneaking around on my phone, buying cute stationery, trying to learn how to wear makeup like the other girls, and secretly signing up for the broadcasting program behind my parents' backs. After that, it was just work—grinding away like a corporate drone.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Violette forced a light laugh. \"It’s all very mundane.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She kept her answers broad and superficial, carefully sidestepping the sensitive ground. Roman, however, acted as if he hadn't noticed the evasion. He pulled her closer, guiding her toward the exit.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"In that case, we have something in common. My upbringing was much the same.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The same? Violette had been to the Griffin estate. She knew full well that the deep-rooted pedigree of the Griffin family was leagues beyond the comfortable, middle-class existence she grew up in. When children from families like hers were clawing their way through the cracks just to find a foothold, those from the upper echelons appeared with effortless grace, looming over everyone like mountains, dictating their labor and harvesting the rewards.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You were forced to learn all that stuff too?\" Violette asked, skeptical.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Of course,\" Roman said, his tone carrying a playful edge. \"You can't abandon the core pillars of a traditional upbringing.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The only difference was that his \"traditional\" subjects included fine arts, high-level networking, connoisseurship, philosophy, logic, and even metaphysics.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Violette’s interest was clearly piqued. She tilted her head. \"So, what’s the most rebellious thing you’ve ever done?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I earned degrees in computer science and electrical engineering while living abroad.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">That checked out. It was a very Roman version of rebellion.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Violette sighed. \"Is that really the most rebellious thing you've got?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">In their social strata, choosing to study something that promised a fast, tangible return was, in itself, an act of defiance. Roman still remembered his grandfather’s reaction when the family found out. The old man had just shaken his head and said, \"If people outside find out, they’ll think the Griffin family is in decline. If you really like that sort of thing, you can just hire someone to do it for you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Hiring others to do the heavy lifting while reaping the profits was the standard operating procedure for families of inherited wealth. Getting one's own hands dirty was considered a drop in status.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Roman had responded with cool indifference: \"Grandfather, you shouldn't be engaging in extreme sports, either. You’re at that age—just hire someone to do the stunts for you and watch from the sidelines.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Violette didn’t grasp the nuances of that logic, and she clearly didn't see that as a true act of rebellion. Roman pondered for a few seconds, then thought of something else.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">His marriage.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A man in his position didn't have the luxury of marital freedom. You enjoyed the benefits of the family name, and in return, you prepared to be sacrificed on the altar of a strategic alliance. But instead of playing along, he’d decided to stage a massive, calculated act of defiance.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Why sacrifice? And who said he had to? It wasn’t as if he couldn't maintain the Griffin family’s dominance on his own terms.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He’d spent months seducing Violette, keeping everything under wraps. The moment they stepped out of the marriage registry office, he’d laid Violette’s credentials out on his grandfather’s desk.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You said it yourself,\" Roman had told the old man, \"the most important requirement for a granddaughter-in-law is that she be refined and well-bred.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"When did I ever say that?\" the old man had barked, baffled.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The original requirement had actually been: a sharp mind, a stunning face, and long legs—the baseline requirements for high-quality genetic succession.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Roman had replied calmly, \"I was just refining your original sentiment for you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He’d produced the vibrant red marriage certificate from his tailored suit jacket and laid it on the dark mahogany desk—a splash of crimson that looked glaringly out of place. \"She meets all the criteria. As for that young socialite you had in mind for me, I don't think she’s particularly interested, so there’s no need to force the issue.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He still remembered the way his grandfather had sputtered, purple with rage. The old man had raised an antique glass paperweight in his hand, glared at the photo on the marriage certificate, set the paperweight down, and finally hurled a heavy brass fountain pen at him.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You little devil,\" the man had cursed.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The old man was so furious that he’d left for a world tour the very next day, not even bothering to return for the wedding.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">That counted as rebellious, right?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">But as he looked into Violette’s clear, unsuspecting eyes, Roman fell silent again. What kind of rebellion was that? It was nothing more than the calculated fulfillment of his own desire.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You’re so well-behaved,\" Violette commented.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Roman raised an eyebrow. In his thirty years, he’d never heard that description applied to him. He immediately thought of Blake Pierce.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You don't like 'well-behaved'?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Violette was caught off guard. \"Huh?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Nothing.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Roman’s hand drifted down, resting lightly on the small of her back. His lips formed a thin, straight line. He wasn't as broad-minded as he pretended to be; right now, he didn't want the answer, especially if it wasn't the one he wanted to hear.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">They returned to the hotel via a private shuttle, where a sumptuous dinner was already waiting. To cater to their tastes, the hotel had commissioned their executive chef to handle the cooking. Roman changed into a fresh outfit, carrying the subtle scent of cold pine and cedar. When Violette leaned in, she couldn't help but inhale deeply.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I don't think I've ever asked—what cologne are you wearing?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He was surprised she was interested in his scent. Roman paused for a moment as he pulled out her chair, then replied, \"It's not a brand. If you like it, I can have a perfumer send you the formula later.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"The formula is public?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I can buy the rights to it,\" Roman said, without a second’s hesitation.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Conversations with the ultra-wealthy were always so remarkably straightforward.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Violette slowly began to let go of the distraction that had plagued her all day, caught up in the calm, rhythmic flow of their meal. The waiter poured her a glass of sparkling wine. She took a small sip, then, without a second thought, pulled her phone from her pocket and set it on the table.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"This one has a hint of fruit—like citrus—but it smells like flowers.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You like it?\" Roman asked.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Mmhmm!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The hotel had pulled out their reserve stock to impress their high-profile guests, though it still fell short compared to the vintages in the Griffin wine cellar. Roman had better. He said, with a perfectly straight face, \"I have the exact same one at home. I’ll bring a bottle back for you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The atmosphere over dinner was pleasant, and Violette’s appetite was far better than it had been during the day. As they reached the end of the meal, her phone buzzed on the table.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She glanced at it, swiped to unlock, and her brow furrowed. She immediately rose from her seat. \"I have to take this call.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Of course,\" Roman said, nodding.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">His gaze followed her hurried back. At that moment, he almost hated that his eyesight was so damn good. He had caught a glimpse of a long message on her screen, and the name \"Blake Pierce\" had registered instantly. He couldn't even lie to himself.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Watching her stride toward the door, her head down, thumbs flying across the screen, he felt his chest tighten, as if he were struggling to breathe. Just before she reached the exit, she lifted her right hand to her ear, clearly trying to keep the conversation private.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Roman counted to three, then pulled out his own phone and found the number from the previous night.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He dialed.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">*Ring—ring—ring—*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">It was ringing.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Realizing the line was active, Roman hung up immediately.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">*Nothing.*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He told himself to calm down. As long as she wasn't calling Blake Pierce, it was fine.\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272917650]