By the time the love affair ended, more than two hours later.

The servants had no idea how many times they had reheated the dinner. The butler, smiling, stared at the room on the second floor, feeling very relieved.

Vivian felt as if centuries had passed, and she had been eaten by him to the point of having no bones left.

She didn't even have the strength to go downstairs, but it seemed that her cold was gone after such exercise.

For that reason, Vivian didn't bother to argue with Raymond about being considerate or not.

She never expected anything.

Before she could get out of bed, she was carried downstairs by Raymond, who was "full" and in a good mood.

"Thank you."

Vivian's cheeks were slightly flushed, and she was even more bashful.

Raymond's throat stirred and his gaze moved back and forth over her as if he were admiring a perfect work of art, full of passion.

Vivian had no idea how angry she was at the moment. She was enjoying the delicious food on her plate.

"Pour me a cup of warm water."

Little did she know how seductive and alluring her little lip-licking gesture was.

Before Vivian could get warm water, she was forcibly taken back to her room by the hungry man in front of her.

"What are you doing!" Dissatisfaction welled up in Vivian's mind, and she punched Raymond hard in the chest with her pink fists.

He watched her pink lips open and close. "I'm hungry again."

As soon as he finished speaking, he kissed his lips, which were more delicious than cherries. The two lips rubbed against each other, and the intense kiss swept over Raymond, and the tingling sensation filled him.

He was like a wild beast in heat, demanding her non-stop.

Perhaps she was worn out too fast by Raymond, and Vivian didn't even know when she had fallen asleep again.

But she woke up just as Raymond left. She didn't know what time it was, but it was still dark before her eyes. It was probably the early hours of the morning.

She watched the familiar figure close the door and disappear from her sight.

From beginning to end, he did not look back at her, the previous tenderness vanished without a trace.

All of this happened so quietly and lightly that Vivian knew exactly how to react.

She lay motionless, pretending to be in a deep sleep, until after he left, Vivian sat up. She sat alone in the darkness for a very long time.

With a dull pain in her heart, she cried for no reason until the dawn light illuminated the mottled tear stains on her face.

She lay down again, buried herself deep under the covers, and silently made a decision.

When Vivian woke up again, it was already four o 'clock in the afternoon. Raymond had come back from the company.

Vivian picked out a long, pale yellow flannel dress and walked down the stairs gracefully and elegantly. The warm evening sun fell on her like a beautiful and proud swan.

At this moment, Raymond was drinking brandy, which, though strong, was so elegant and calm in his drinking, neither too fast nor too slow, that one might think he was just sipping tea.

"Is there anything?" Without raising his eyes, he knew it was her coming down and asked nonchalantly.

The emotionless words made Vivian, who had been approaching him step by step, freeze all over.

Stopping just one step away from him, he always had the ability to make her lose her composure even when she was haughty and calm.

"How did you know it was me?"

"Just talk about it. I don't want to answer unimportant questions." Raymond raised his eyes and gave her a deep, bottomless, impatient look.

Last night's tenderness and teasing seemed like just a dream.

"I know the House of Steven Group is going to set up a subsidiary specifically for energy projects." "I'm going to take a stake," Vivian said of the idea that flashed through her mind last night.

Since he wouldn't let her go to work, she might as well start her own business. And this subsidiary was the starting point of her career.

Raymond was finally aroused some interest and recalled Vivian's experience in this area, which was one of the reasons he married her.

"Quite a big appetite."

"I have 50 million, plus my technology stake, to make 30 percent of the shares." Vivian looked businesslike and had no intention at all of giving in to make Raymond give in.

"Oh, the company's investment in this project is at least 700 million, and you're asking for 30 percent of 50 million. It's too high for you."

Raymond clapped for Vivian's naivety, but felt a bit tired in his heart. What he detests most is that these women, thinking they have the capital, try to control something.

Unexpectedly, Vivian was also one of them.

Raymond's undisguised disgust, even though he had been well-prepared, made Vivian pause for a moment.

What did this man take her for? Did he get something for nothing?

Just a little bit away, Vivian was about to explode, but thinking of her plan, she finally calmed down. "I have the mining license in my hand."

"License?" Even a steady man like Raymond was startled!

The authorities have always been very strict with energy projects, and mining licenses are extremely rare. It can be said that with a license, the progress of a subsidiary's project is half done.

If Vivian is true, not just 30 percent of the shares, 50 percent are negotiable.

Raymond, who had been rather casual about Vivian, took it seriously for the first time.

This woman is so well hidden! If John knew she had this thing, it wouldn't be begging to work with House of Steven, but waiting for House of Steven to make an offer.

"Your purpose?" Raymond narrowed his eyes and scrutinized Vivian, not letting go of any of her movements.

Seeing that Raymond was hooked, Vivian also became calm and composed, "I said I just wanted to invest. That license was a piece of waste paper to me, but it was a real boost to House of Steven. Raymond, what do you think?"

Raymond wanted to refuse, though the license was important, he was not willing to accept Vivian's request which was equivalent to a threat.

His business doesn't need anyone else to get involved.

But the fleeting vulnerability and anticipation in Vivian's eyes made him pause for a moment.

Well, well, House of Steven's wife, of course, can't be a canary.

"Well, I'll wait and see." See how far this woman can go.

With that, Raymond left, and the next second Vivian collapsed onto the sofa.

The pressure of confronting Raymond is just too great.

She stared blankly at the ceiling, not knowing whether her actions today were right or wrong, but she had no choice.

The mining license was her grandfather's trump card, originally intended to give her a place in the House of Johnson Group. No one could have imagined that they all underestimated John's shamelessness and impatience, and before Vivian could make a big splash, she was packaged and "sold".

And now she's going to use the license to make a name for herself at House of Steven!

Didn't Raymond not want her to get involved in the company's affairs? She insisted on getting involved, even if only as a shareholder, at least she had a say.

Rather than as it is now... Become a tool for her to vent her desires only.

Raymond kept his word and sent Vivian the next day information about the subsidiary.

Vivian went through it over and over again.

Although she was less capable than Raymond, she had at least run a similar project before and naturally saw that the company's prospects were not to be underestimated and that it would surely make huge profits in the future.

Thinking of the decision she had made before, Vivian covered her heart.

Her first step was successfully taken. At least within House of Steven, she was no longer a dispensable presence.

Down there...