Chapter 909

Lucian froze. His piercing gaze darkened with suspicion. "How did you find me here tonight? Who tipped you off?"

The icy edge in his voice made Vivian's pulse quicken.

She forced a nervous smile. "What are you talking about? We arranged to meet here, remember?"

"Lucian!"

Genevieve and Reginald appeared at the entrance.

Reginald's eyes narrowed at Vivian. "Who's this? Where's Rosalind? I thought you were meeting her tonight."

"It's past six already," Genevieve added pointedly. "Did Ms. Fairchild bail on you again?"

"Impossible," Lucian snapped.

"Then where is she?" Reginald pressed. "And who the hell is this girl?"

Vivian's stomach dropped. This wasn't how tonight was supposed to go. Why was Lucian acting like she was a stranger?

Her carefully constructed fantasy was unraveling before her eyes.

Lucian's glacial stare pinned Vivian in place. "Identify yourself. Security!"

Three broad-shouldered guards materialized instantly. "Mr. Graves."

"Remove her," Lucian commanded.

Vivian gasped as two guards seized her arms. "What are you doing? We had plans tonight—why are you treating me like this?"

Lucian's jaw clenched. "Who said I made plans with you?"

He'd been certain Rosalind was coming.

Vivian's voice trembled. "We messaged on Instagram!"

"Instagram?" Lucian's tone could have cut glass.

Vivian nodded frantically. "Yes! Check our chat history if you don't believe me!"

She wrenched free momentarily, fumbling for her phone. With shaking hands, she thrust the screen toward Lucian. "See for yourself!"

Lucian scanned the messages, and his entire demeanor shifted.

"You're 'sunshine_girl'?" he asked, stunned.

Vivian nodded eagerly. "That's my handle."

Lucian recoiled as if burned. "That's impossible. Rosalind asked for my Instagram yesterday!"

Vivian blinked. "Right! I had Rosalind get it for me."

The realization hit Lucian like a physical blow. The charming, witty account he'd been messaging... wasn't Rosalind at all.

That adorable username he'd found so endearing now made his skin crawl.

He'd been catfished by Vivian.

Still oblivious, Vivian smiled hopefully. "Mr. Graves, what's wrong? I thought we were having dinner."

Lucian's hands balled into white-knuckled fists. His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "Who said I'd ever date someone like you?"

Reginald snorted. "Give it up. You really thought Lucian would choose you? He was waiting for Rosalind."

"What?" Vivian paled. "Y-You're in love with Rosalind? But she never mentioned that! When I asked for your Instagram, she just gave it to me without hesitation."

Genevieve's laugh was razor-sharp. "Now it makes sense. Lucian, Rosalind clearly doesn't care about you. She handed over your contact without a second thought. You're just her plaything."

"So this was all a mistake," Reginald concluded. "Turns out Ms. Fairchild never intended to meet you tonight. You've been fooling yourself this whole time!"