Chapter 3Lost My Heart Under Her Spotlight

The after-party was held on the top floor of the hotel.

I was about to leave when her manager stopped me.

“Mr. Reed, the press is everywhere. Don’t embarrass Vivian.”

Don’t embarrass her.

All these years, everyone had advised me the same way.

As if her dignity was naturally my responsibility to patch up.

In the banquet hall, Vivian stood in the center of the crowd.

Jamie blocked drinks for her.

Someone teased, “Jamie looks more like the male lead tonight than the actual male lead.”

Another laughed. “Should we start calling him brother-in-law?”

Jamie’s ears turned red. “Don’t say that. Vivian will get mad.”

As he spoke, he looked at her.

Vivian swirled her wine glass and scolded him with a smile.

“Stop joking.”

She did not admit it.

She did not deny it either.

Beside me, Sam’s face went white with anger. “Noah, let’s go.”

But Vivian saw me and waved. “Noah, come here.”

I did not move.

Jamie came over with a glass of wine. “Mr. Reed, let me toast you. Vivian winning tonight is partly thanks to you too.”

Partly.

What a perfect word.

I ignored him. His hand froze midair, and his eyes began to redden again.

Vivian’s voice sank.

“Noah!”

My stomach hurt badly. I did not want to keep humiliating myself here, so I explained, “My stomach isn’t well. I’m not drinking.”

Vivian walked over and shoved the glass into my hand.

“It’s just one sip. Don’t ruin the mood.”

Seven years ago, an investor had forced her to drink, and I drank in her place until I ended up with acute gastritis.

She cried by my hospital bed and said she would never let me touch alcohol again.

Now she said, don’t ruin the mood.

I put the glass back on the table. “I’m not drinking.”

Jamie hurriedly said, “Forget it, Vivian. Mr. Reed might really be uncomfortable.”

As he stepped back, he tripped.

The red wine in his hand spilled all over me.

My white shirt bloomed red in an instant.

He panicked and reached for tissues. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.”

I frowned and pushed his hand away.

Vivian stepped in front of him. “He already apologized. What else do you want?”

I looked down at the mess across my chest and suddenly remembered a long time ago.

She had also been splashed with wine.

I had taken off my jacket, draped it over her shoulders, and pulled her out of that dinner party.

That night, she hugged my waist and said, “Noah, I want you to protect me forever.”

And I did.

I protected her for seven years.

Until she finally became the heroine who could shield someone else behind her.

I went to the restroom.

Cold water ran over the back of my hand, but it could not ease the pain in my stomach.

I texted her: 【I’m leaving first. We’ll talk tomorrow.】

She replied quickly.

【Don’t throw a tantrum tonight.】

I stared at those words.

My mouth tugged slightly, but I could not even laugh.