Chapter 298

Chapter 298:
The messier issues—the accusations of sex-for-power and donation fraud—were left to Johnny’s team to handle quietly.
So when Brandon received updates, all he saw were the basics: Vivian using his people to shut down false claims and retaliating a little by revealing Serena’s miscarriage.
Everything else was just suspicion—no proof, unless she confessed.
The drive stretched on in silence.
Finally, as the car slowed in front of the floral studio, Vivian turned to speak.
“Brandon, I know you’re not happy about what I’m doing,” she said softly, “but I don’t want to lie to you. If I wanted to do this behind your back, I could’ve gone to Oakley. He’d jump at the chance to destroy Charles. But instead, I chose to show you this version of me.” She looked straight at him.
His eyes were dark. She couldn’t tell what was behind them.
“She came at me too hard. I had to fight back. And all I did was tell the truth. She did have a miscarriage—ten days before the first live show. I didn’t make it up.” Vivian’s voice wavered, her eyes growing red. “Maybe you’ll be disappointed in me. But I think honesty matters. It should count for something.” Tears fell, streaking down her cheeks. “Just like…”
Vivian whispered, “Just like I know Millie is still in your heart. We can’t pretend these things don’t exist. So let’s not.”
Brandon watched her cry, unsure how to feel.
He knew people weren’t simple. They were layered.
Millie had stood beside him for years, and even with her, he had never believed she was entirely innocent of strategy.
And he didn’t want her to be. He liked that she could think for herself, act when needed, and take hold of power when the moment demanded it.
He wanted her to be strong enough to survive, even if he wasn’t there someday. But still, he believed in limits.
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There had to be a line. Something that separated defense from cruelty. That line was what made trust possible.
So was Vivian really just revealing Serena’s miscarriage, or did she do more?
As if reading his silence, Vivian continued, “Brandon, I know what you’re thinking. But I didn’t do those other things. I swear. If I’m lying, I’ll get hit by a car the moment I step out of here.” Her voice trembled. “I’m not the only one who wants to bring Serena and Charles down. Last time—it was Oakley. Not me.” She paused, looking at him with eyes that tried to seem calm.
“If you don’t believe me,” she said, trying to sound indifferent, “then go. Go back to Millie. She’ll be happy. I won’t be around for long, so you don’t have to think about me.” Latest content published on.net
Her voice cracked, but she kept going. “I was just defending myself. I didn’t do anything wrong. Someone else would’ve exposed her miscarriage anyway, even if I hadn’t stepped in. I’m not doing this just for me. I’m doing it for all those who’ve believed in me. I have my own needs, Brandon. My own goals.”
Brandon frowned. Her tears were steady now.
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