Farewell to Love: The CEO's Desperate Chase novel Chapter 172

Vivienne lifted her head.

A shy smile flickered across her face as she said, "Tyler, I can't help it."

Tyler didn't say a word. He just frowned deeply, his eyes fixed on her.

"That song—‘Faint Whispers'—it's already tied to me," Vivienne continued. "If I say otherwise, it'll look bad. People would talk."

Still, Tyler remained silent. Clearly, her explanation wasn't convincing him.

"That fan's been waiting through several of my live streams already," she went on. "If you don't believe me, Tyler, you can check for yourself."

"And even if we keep him out this time, he'll find another way in eventually. It's only a matter of time."

"When we bought the song from Emy, we offered her a more than fair price. Even top lyricists only get a million per song—Tyler, you gave her ten million. That was more than enough."

But despite everything Vivienne said, Tyler just kept staring at her, unmoved.

The car was silent. The two of them locked eyes, neither willing to look away.

In the end, Vivienne let out a long, weary sigh. She dropped her gaze and said softly, "Tyler, sometimes you have to use certain tactics. Isn't that true?"

Her voice was barely above a whisper. "I don't have much time left. If I want to achieve what I set out to do, I have to play this part. If my image falls apart now, how will I ever accomplish what I came here for?"

"As long as what I ultimately do is right, that's all that matters, isn't it?"

She paused, then looked up with a smile that trembled on her lips. "Emilia… isn't she the same way?"

Tyler pressed his lips together, his gaze lingering on Vivienne's reddening eyes.

"So…" Vivienne's eyes shimmered with tears, "it's okay for her, but not for me?"

"Is that your favoritism, Tyler?"

Tyler turned away, letting his gaze drift to the window and the world speeding by outside. The sky had darkened, and the passing streetlights washed the scenery in a faded, nostalgic glow.

Emilia isn't like that, he thought.

The Bentley raced down the road, while elsewhere, Emilia had just picked up Bella.

Emilia had already washed off her mermaid makeup. Now, she held Bella's hand as they browsed the art supplies aisle in a stationery store.

Bella loved to draw. It was discovering Bella's sketches that had first brought Emilia into her life.

"Miss Emilia, can I get this?" Bella asked quietly, pointing to a set of paintbrushes.

Emilia knelt down, gently smoothing Bella's hair. "You never have to be shy with me, Bella. Whatever you want to do, I'll support you."

Bella's face lit up. She loved this feeling.

But, even with Emilia's reassurance, she didn't ask for anything extra—only what she truly needed.

Emilia noticed, and her heart melted with affection.

Bella had a congenital heart defect, a small hole between the chambers. Emilia had taken her to see Dr. Joyce, and learned that with surgery, regular checkups, and a little extra care, Bella would be just fine.