Needless to say, Helen was shocked by Wilhelm’s sudden appearance.

“Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Wilhelm,” she said as her brows furrowed. “However, I was asking for Ms. Vivian’s opinion, so don’t you think you were too hasty in making that decision?”

Wilhelm glanced at Helen and frowned. “I apologize for my abruptness, but my decision is also that of Vivian’s.”

Not wanting to give up her golden opportunity so easily, Helen turned to Winnie for confirmation. “Is that so?”

Winnie immediately nodded. “Yes, that’s indeed my decision. Thank you for your invitation, but I’m afraid I’ll have to turn it down. We’ll be heading off now if you and Margaret have no other questions.”

Since Winnie had already made herself clear, Helen knew there was nothing more she could do. “Very well, then. Have a good day. I’d also like to apologize to you on Margaret’s behalf.”

Winnie merely gave a silent nod of acknowledgment before taking Emily by the arm and following V upstairs.

As soon as everyone was in the VIP lounge, Wilhelm suddenly turned to Winnie and burst out laughing.

Bewildered, Winnie shot him a glance and raised her brow. “Why are you laughing at me? Do I look like a joke to you?”

To her surprise, Wilhelm’s smile grew wider. “My, my. You’ve been hiding your light under a bushel, Vivian. I can’t believe you’re the boss of Champes! Say, what other identities do you have that we don’t know of?”

“Oh, there are so many I can’t even count them on my fingers,” Winnie replied half-jokingly. “I’ve even forgotten some of them. I suppose I’ll only recall them when I have another chance encounter.”

Wilhelm instantly guffawed at that. “If I didn’t know you better, I’d have pegged you as a snob after hearing what you just said. No wonder Grandma always receives the best treatment when she’s here to order her clothes. Well, I’m glad I finally know the reason, but when will it be my turn to enjoy such treatment too?”

“My goodness, Wilhelm. Champes is a women’s clothing brand,” Winnie said with a hint of annoyance. “If you find yourself a wife worthy of my respect, I’ll also make sure to give her the VIP treatment.”

“Are you taking me for a joke too?” Wilhelm grumbled as he lightly smacked her head.

Winnie knew the man would never be heavy-handed on her, so she didn’t even bother ducking.

“Speaking of which, I think that journalist, Helen, looked at you rather oddly earlier,” she suddenly remarked. “She seems to hate you, but I’m sure it’s not just because you turned her down on my behalf. Fess up, Wilhelm. Did something happen between the two of you?”

Without thinking twice, Wilhelm replied, “No!”

“Oh, Wilhelm!” Emily exclaimed, looking rather shocked. “How could you deny it? Have you forgotten that you rejected her before in public?”

Upon hearing that, Wilhelm looked utterly confused. “Grandma, are you sure? Why don’t I have any recollection?”

“Yes, of course,” Emily said, a deep-set frown on her face. “I’m sure it was her.”

Before Wilhelm could reply, she turned to Winnie and added, “Do you know why I told you I know this particular journalist? Not only did she expose the royal family’s scandal, but she was also the only lady brave enough to profess her love for Wilhelm in public. On top of that, she even got rejected by him.”

“That’s impossible,” Wilhelm retorted. “I do remember someone professing her love to me, but that was at a birthday party three years ago and by a very young lady. I’m sure it wasn’t that journalist.”

“Oh, my dear Wilhelm…” Winnie muttered. “Three years have passed since then. Don’t you know that appearances change as people grow?”

same as you did three years ago.

never cared much for the lady,” Winnie reasoned. “You know, if she’s someone with high self-esteem, there’s a chance she’s still

into the room with the tailor-made gown

by the beautiful clothes, Emily immediately ordered Winnie and

Wilhelm. I plan on gifting one of these dresses to my friend, but I can’t make

afternoon went by in the blink of an eye. Emily was more than satisfied with the current batch of tailor-made dresses. She

would have it, the group was leaving the lounge when they bumped into

of Wilhelm, Winnie intentionally

though she still hadn’t gotten over

fitting all done, Emily suggested that Winnie return to Speiser

to go to the hospital tomorrow, and it’d be more convenient to head there from

Wilhelm both exclaimed, “What?

the two of

care of you,” Emily said. “Since it isn’t appropriate for you to stay at Wilhelm’s either, why not stay

that’s the case, I’ll return to the manor too,” Wilhelm hurriedly chimed in. “I can take you to

had no choice but to oblige. “Fine… Let’s go with that

hospital to remove her bandages and followed the Speisers back to their

cousins so much that they threw

fact that she needed to rest and recuperate, there was no doubt they’d have plied her with

was nine at night in Yartran by the time Winnie managed to check

in the morning in Chanaea, when the sun had yet to rise,

of messages that Xavier had

asked various questions, such as what she was doing, if she had eaten, and if everything

Winnie wanted to answer each question individually, she was more worried

consolidated her replies into a single

failed to receive any response after waiting for ten minutes, she concluded

invited to dance, to which

hall was so loud that it drowned out her ringtone

that Winnie had many social events to attend over the next few days, she could barely find the time to talk

often interrupted, and even text messages were

was so busy that she didn’t have time to mope around, but Xavier, on the other hand, found it to

Emily’s interview with Helen, and she had Winnie vet her scripts before the

was also present when Winnie skimmed through the script. The latter’s expression instantly slid into a frown when she was done

and the family’s reputation?” Winnie asked. “Steffen is poised to become the youngest

the script,” Emily reassured. “Both your grandfather and eldest

care about the title.

“I’ve thought it through and agree that this is the best approach. The previous mission we entrusted you with has put your life in danger, but your enemies only know you as Vivian and not your real identity. If we reveal your family background, I’m sure they won’t do anything reckless when they run into you

persuaded by Emily and Wilhelm, Winnie

I don’t wish to be interviewed. I don’t want

think you should reveal your face. I know you don’t want the

beautifully in it, but a brunette like her

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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