Free Web NovelChapter 27: Dinner with the Vaughns
Lyvana didn’t hesitate. She walked into the room with her chin held high, refusing to feel small. These people had always tried to intimidate her, and it was no secret that they never liked her.
As soon as they saw her, the laughter stopped instantly. Susan was sitting on the sofa, a teacup frozen halfway to her lips.
"Well, look who is here," she said, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. "We were starting to think you didn’t want to come, Lyvana."
"Sorry am late," Lyvana replied calmly, walking further into the room. "I was just out for a business lunch meeting."
"Business?" Maya snickered, exchanging a look with her sister. "Since when do you do anything but school?"
"And you’re dressed like that." Elena added.
Lyvana was wearing a loose black trousers with a daring slit that opened to her thigh with every step. Her silk blouse looked elegant and expensive. Honestly, it looked like it cost more than both of the sisters’ dresses combined.
Before Lyvana could answer, Mark entered the room.
"You’re here," he said. He didn’t wait for her to speak. He stepped forward, pulled her firmly against him, and kissed her deeply right in front of his family.
Susan stood up, smoothing her dress with a stiff hand. The sight of Mark’s sudden affection for Lyvana clearly made her uncomfortable.
"Let’s go and dine then," she said, already walking out. Elena and Maya trailing behind them.
Mark didn’t let go of Lyvana’s waist. He leaned down whispering into her ear, "You look incredible tonight, Liv. Where did you get that outfit?"
Lyvana stepped out of his grip, her expression neutral. "I bought it. With the paparazzi following me everywhere, I need to look good."
Mark narrowed his eyes. It was clear he didn’t believe a word she said. Without saying anything, he led her into the dining room where the rest of the family was already waiting.
The table was covered in expensive silver and fine china. In the center sat a large platter of grilled chicken, some greens and even some potato mash.
As they began dinning, Lyvana watched Clarisse walk in. Without a word or a hint of hesitation, Clarisse slid into the empty seat right next to Mark. She acted as if she belonged there.
As if it were the most natural thing in the world for the assistant to sit beside her boss while the fiancée watched from across the table.
Susan sat at the head of the table adjusting her pearls and looking over the seating arrangement with a critical eye.
Mark’s father was not present, but his brother Alex sat already drinking wine, his eyes fixed on a magazine rather than his food. He was a fashion journalist.
Elena and Maya, were already deep in conversation with Clarisse as always.
"So, Clarisse," Elena chirped, leaning over her salad. "Mark mentioned you handled the negotiations for the new contract perfectly. I don’t know what this company would do without you."
Clarisse let out a soft giggle.
"Oh, it was nothing," she said, giving Mark a long, sweet look. "Mark led the way, and I just followed his brilliance."
Lyvana watched them, a secret smile hidden behind her wine glass. They were all acting so proud, but she knew the truth. The Vaughn company was going bankrupt. They were grasping at straws, and their "perfect" business moves were failing.
But she simply sat there, starring at them. The silence on her side of the table was nothing new.
She picked at her food, watching as Susan nodded approvingly at Clarisse with a warm smile. A smile she never gave Lyvana. To an outsider, it looked like Clarisse was the real daughter-in-law-to-be, and not a personal assistant.
Lyvana knew why. The family didn’t just know about their affair, they encouraged it. They only kept Lyvana around because her money funded their expensive lifestyle. She couldn’t give them an heir, and they looked at Clarisse as the woman who would actually carry the Vaughn name forward.
She watched as Mark leaned toward Clarisse, their heads hovering close as they began to whisper and laugh, the way they always did.
She had always ignored them, but after the break-in, her patience had vanished. She was done playing the quiet fiancée.
"Will you two stop whispering?" Lyvana said surprising even herself.
"Relax, Liv. We were just talking about business," Mark told her.
"This is a dinner table, not the office," Lyvana shot back, her eyes locking onto his. "If you can’t stop working for ten minutes, perhaps you should go back to your desk." fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm
Clarisse immediately lowered her eyes, putting on her best mask of regret. "Lyvana, I’m so sorry. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t be bothering Mark about work at a time like this."
There it was. The same nonsense she heard for two years. Anytime she complained about their closeness, she would make her up to be the jealous fiancée. Well in this lifetime, she wasn’t willing to put up with her.
"Can you drop the act, Clarisse? You shouldn’t even be here, period. It’s a family dinner." Lyvana was trying so hard to contain her anger.
"Lyvana, really," Susan said, surprised by her boldness. "Don’t be difficult. Clarisse is just helping Mark with the stress of the company. You know that."
"Is that what we’re calling it now?" Lyvana asked. She leaned back in her chair, looking perfectly relaxed. "Helping with stress?"
Alex caughed trying to stiffle a laugh.
Mark tightened his jaw, his eyes narrowing at Lyvana. He wasn’t used to her challenging him, especially not in front of his parents.
"You’re being dramatic, Liv," Mark muttered. "Clarisse is practically family."
"She is just an assistant, Mark. Not family."
Clarisse looked ready to cry. The corners of her eyes were red and watery, making her look like a helpless victim. She was the perfect picture of innocence.
"She’s right," Clarisse choked out. She wiped her eyes and started to stand up. "I’m clearly not wanted here. I should leave."
"Sit down," Susan snapped. "You aren’t going anywhere, Clarisse. We are all going to sit here and have a nice family meal together."
"You invited me here as Mark’s fiancée. If that role means being disrespected, then maybe I should be the one to leave."
