Chapter 161: Knight
Vivian’s POV
Sometimes when things were going really well, the world just celebrated with you.
Things were currently going great for Vivian Rose and she felt like the universe was happy for her as well.
She had woken up full of joy. There had been no traffic as she had driven to work.
Her kids had been on their best behavior, and now as she saw the last of them out, she realized that if she was quick about it, she would be able to nip into the shops and buy a little something that she could wear for herself and Ryan later that night.
Making her way over to the parking lot, Vivian stopped as she spotted a few cars that she was unfamiliar with.
Around them there were clusters of people who were failing badly at trying to blend in. Seeing as they were not bothering anyone and were allowing the parents and kids to pass. Vivian decided that they were probably from some company that had business with the director.
Choosing to ignore them, she began walking towards her car. Her mind on the lingerie that she was going to buy for herself.
Vivian was almost at her car when one of the people, a woman with bright blue hair, happened to make eye contact with her. While Vivian blinked at her in confusion the woman’s eyes widened in recognition and that was when all hell broke loose.
"Vivian Rose!" The woman yelled at the top of her lungs. A camera materializing in her hands as she began taking pictures.
Vivian did not even have a moment to be shocked by a stranger knowing her name because all of a sudden the other weird people who had been hanging around descended upon her like a swarm of angry bees. Their own cameras flashing and aimed at her.
’What was this? What was going on? Why were all these people acting crazy?
Frozen on the spot, unable to speak, Vivian could only stare with wide eyes as more cameras went off. People shouting at her all at once and actually expecting her to understand.
’Go away! Leave me alone!’ She wanted to scream, but her voice failed her, and as she stood there, some of what the people were saying began to make sense.
"Is it true that you sold yourself to the billionaire Ryan Terrell?"
"Have you really been receiving gifts from him in exchange for money?"
"Are the nude photos of you wearing pig ears while sleeping with the CEO real or just fakes generated by AI?"
"Vivian! Vivian Rose! Vivian!"
Oh, oh goodness, they knew, somehow the reporters had gotten wind of Vivian’s relationship with Ryan and they had come to her looking for information.
But why were they asking her all of these horrible things? There were naked pictures of her online, how? And how had these people she had never met before known not only her name, but also where she worked?
Her heart feeling as though it were about to stop at any moment.
Vivian regained enough control of her body to try and move away from the crowd. But that only made them more determined.
They closed in on her, forming a tight loop and making it impossible for her to escape. More camera flashes, more yelling, more questions came until Vivian couldn’t take it anymore.
Spots dancing at the edge of her vision, she tried to elbow her way out one more time. Not wanting to collapse in front of all of the vultures surrounding her. But the reporters pushed right back and one of them did so with enough force that Vivian lost her balance.
Feeling herself begin to fall, she closed her eyes, knowing that the moment she hit the ground, the internet would be full of pictures of her in a sorry state.
But instead of meeting the cold pavement, Vivian fell against a wall of solid muscle.
Ryan Terrell’s familiar comforting scent filled her nostrils, and she opened her eyes, relief flooding her when she found Ryan there.
Her grey eyes locked with Ryan’s gorgeous blue ones, and she was nearly overwhelmed by the sense of relief that came over her. All around them it was suddenly so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.
"Are you all right?" Ryan asked. The worry in his voice clear, even as his face remained a cold mask that she had never seen on him before. All that Vivian could manage in response to the question was a shallow nod.
Looking around, she found the stunned reporters being pushed back by men and women in black suits.
Oh, he had come to rescue her. He had actually brought along a small army to help her out.
Steadying her, Ryan threw an arm around Vivian’s shoulders and began leading her away.
"Just look ahead, do not turn to them no matter what happens," He whispered softly into her ear as the reporters regained their senses and began yelling for her again. Focusing on him and drawing strength from Ryan’s quiet confidence, Vivian somehow kept moving until she found herself in the back of a car with Ryan.
The moment the door closed, the car began to move, but their progress was soon blocked by reporters standing in the car’s path. Their cameras were still going off, and they were still shouting as though they still expected to get answers from her and Ryan.
"Go! Run them over them if you have to," Ryan gave the command and the person in the driver’s seat instantly obeyed.
The reporters, seeming to realize that the situation was serious, quickly got out of the way, scattering like flies. But they did not give up, instead they began running for their cars, clearly intending to follow them.
They really were a tenacious bunch. But by that time it was already too late. Their car was already too far ahead, and after a bit of expert maneuvering from the driver, they left the reporters in the dust.
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