Chapter 3

That evening, Blake came home.

Again, his face showed exhaustion and melancholy.

This was the clever part of Vivian pretending to be a vegetable.

Other men had to sneak around to meet their mistresses.

But Blake could go openly, spend my money openly, and then come home and emotionally blackmail me with it.

“Sigh, Vivian still shows no sign of consciousness.”

“Anyway, let’s not talk about sad things. I’ll warm up your nutritional drink.”

“Blake, don’t bother.”

I called out to him, my voice filled with a strange cheerfulness.

“Sit down. I have a gift for you.”

He looked a little confused but sat down next to me.

“A gift? Suddenly?”

I looked at his face, once capable of making my heart flutter, now only filled with revulsion.

I thought back to our past.

When the Chen family fell on hard times, my parents, out of respect for our long-standing family friendship, not only didn’t break off our engagement but treated him like their own son.

They even hired him as the general manager of Chen Corporation.

I never imagined that our Chen family, after offering so much help, would raise such an ungrateful viper!

“It’s for you.”

I handed him the cemetery contract.

His face instantly changed when he saw it.

“A cemetery plot? Darling, are you crazy? Sending me this is so unlucky!”

“It’s an investment.”

“I heard that investing in plots is more lucrative than real estate nowadays. This plot is in a good location; it’s sure to appreciate. Look, it’s big enough for three people, what a bargain, right?”

Blake was skeptical but a flicker of greed appeared in his eyes when he heard it could appreciate.

“Oh, my dearest, you always have such vision, such business acumen.”

“To find such an obscure investment opportunity, you’re truly brilliant!”

He was buttering me up.

I watched his money-grubbing face, a cold sneer forming in my heart.

Idiot!

Of course, you think it’s brilliant, I picked it for *you*!

“There’s something else,”

Striking while the iron was hot, I mentioned my second arrangement.

“The company is preparing to go public, right? We need some positive publicity to build momentum and boost our brand image and investor confidence. I’ve contacted several major media outlets and influencers to arrange an exclusive interview for you.”

“An interview about what?”

He looked even more bewildered.

“About your touching story of selflessly caring for your ex-girlfriend, who is in a vegetative state, for so many years?”

“Think about it: an entrepreneur with deep affection, who keeps promises, is responsible, and has a strong sense of duty—what a positive image! How much more it will move the market and investors!”

“This is more persuasive than spending tens of millions on advertising!”

I persuaded him.

“This… this isn’t quite right, is it?”

He looked troubled.

“Vivian needs peace and quiet; I don’t want to be high-profile. I’m taking care of Vivian out of conscience, not for publicity—”

I immediately cut him off, my tone brooking no argument.

“What’s wrong with it?”

“This is a great opportunity to build your personal brand and enhance the company’s image! It’s crucial for the company’s IPO!”

“I’ve already arranged with the media. The interview will be held at Vivian’s sanatorium. The authentic setting will be even more moving.”

“Blake, for the company, for our future, you *must* cooperate!”

Blake couldn’t find any more excuses and reluctantly agreed.

The next day, he indeed secretly went to the sanatorium to find Vivian and warn her.

“You have to play along perfectly, don’t blow our cover!”

“If Chen Corporation successfully goes public, it will only benefit us!”

“If I establish my image as a good man this time, and it becomes a widespread public perception, then even if Zara dies later, no one will suspect me!”