Vivienne shook her head, refusing to believe anything without confirming the truth.
There is no way Alder will do that to her when she just lost their child.
Her mind jolted to Alder's reasons for not being able to have a dinner with her tonight and her hope smashed into pieces.
There is no way it's a mere coincidence. Her pulse hammered as she rose to her feet.
Anger and hurt twisted together, propelling her upstairs.
She searched through her wardrobe, found a blue gown she had never worn, slipped on a pair of low heels, and grabbed her purse.
No matter what, she was still his wife.
She texted Grace for the address and left the house, her heart racing toward the venue.
The hall was bubbling with bright lights and glamorous faces.
Everyone from Alder's company also seemed to be there, except her, his wife of course.
For a moment, Vivienne thought she was hallucinating. She made her way further inside, spotting a large cake set on a table with words boldly written across it.
Congratulations Lyra.
Her blood ran cold and she exhaled deeply, trying not to lose her cool before seeing Alder.
The decorations and everyone here all seemed to confirm that the party is a celebration for Lyra and Vivienne's heart broke into a million pieces right there.
Vivienne had someone mention Alder's name behind her while she searched for him and paused to listen.
"I really hope Mr. Duvall and Miss Lyra end up together. They are really a perfect match." the girl giggled excitedly.
Vivienne's eyes followed the direction where they are staring at and found Alder standing hand in hand with Lyra, smiling.
Vivienne blinked away her tears, not sure she would be able to hold herself together for long or even be able to confront them.
Everyone here in his presence, supports Alder and Lyra being together and already tagged her as a third party.
Vivienne grew more nervous as she watched them together and turned around slowly, deciding to leave first but someone suddenly called her name and she froze.
"Mrs. Duvall." Grace said a little loudly, and the girls behind her immediately scrambled to their feet and hurried away.
Vivienne forced herself to smile as Grace pulled her to a hug and she responded.
"I really think you should divorce him." Grace said, glaring towards Lyra and Alder.
"How could he parade another woman rumored to be pregnant for him when his wife just lost a child?" she grumbled.
"How did you know that?" Vivienne questioned, shocked. Grace sighed, shaking her head as she answered her.
"Miss Lyra announced it during one of our meetings, asking us not to do anything to upset the CEO."
Vivienne's shoulder trembled and she couldn't believe that almost everyone here knows about her situation.
"What about Alder? What did he say?" Grace shook her head indicating nothing.
Vivienne nodded quietly, fixing her eyes on Alder who hasn't noticed her presence in the room.
He never smiled in the few days they spent together in the house, or even in the months they had spent living as a couple.
But here he is, smiling side by side with his first love.
"Isn't that Mr. Alder's wife?" someone whispered nearby.
"How could someone like her be invited to a party like this…" his partner muttered in response.
Grace was about to reply on her behalf but Vivienne stoped her and at that moment, Lyra stepped onto the podium, commanding all attention to herself and bowed slightly at everyone.
"Thank you all for coming today to celebrate my birthday and Luminex Global. I appreciate the support and love everyone here has contributed to the growth of this family."
She paused, then smiled even brighter.
"I would like to specially appreciate a friend and a partner, Alder Duvall, CEO of Green Tech Corporation."
The hall roared with claps and murmurs as Alder also climbed the stage. When their speeches ended, they offered a toast, and clinked glasses.
Vivienne, like everyone else noticed Lyra holding a glass of juice instead of her favourite wine and that fueled the doubts in everyone's heart.
A partner of Luminex Global approached with drinks, offering one to Lyra who refused and smiled politely.
"Miss Lyra, it couldn't be that the rumors are true, is it?" he teased, but his eyes gleamed with curiosity.
Lyra only smiled, sipping her juice, she tried to place her hand in Alder's, but his stoic face restrained her.
She had forced her father to align the company's anniversary with her birthday just to get Alder here, but he had been moody since he arrived.
She stared at him, her heart burning with eagerness. If what happened had never taken place, then they would still be together.
"Aren't you worried that I might really be pregnant?" she prodded him when they were alone.
"Why would I?" Alder replied flatly, checking his watch with impatience.
Lyra hides her disappointment and tilted her head.
"Then don't you want to know who the father is?" she tried again, hoping to get a positive reaction from him.
Before, he was always jealous of other men approaching her, how could he be so calm now that there is a rumor that she is pregnant.
Alder looked right at her for the first time, Lyra smiled.
"I'm sure it's someone you like." he answered, then nodded at Devereux, chairman of the board of Luminex Global and Lyra's father.
Lyra's face fell and she turned her face away, annoyed.
Her father noticed her foul mood instantly and asked what was wrong but she simply shook her head.
She had already had her father pressure Alder enough over the past months.
Adding more pressure will simply make him hate her more and push him away.
Her phone beeped to notify her of a message, and she smiled as she read it.
"Miss Vivienne is in the hall."
Lyra's eyes found Vivienne standing in the hall with someone quickly, and she regained her confidence, determined to get exactly what she wanted tonight.
As long as Vivienne was no longer in the way, then getting Alder to be hers wouldn't take long.
A cunning smile curled her lips. She slipped her hand onto Alder's arm, faking a laugh.
Vivienne, standing closely didn't fail to notice her deliberate act and knew it was intended for her.
Alder turned, surprised to see her here suddenly, and stepped forward.
"Who is this?" Lyra's father asked. Others also leaned towards them curiously.
"She is…" Alder began.
"Mrs. Duvall." Vivienne cuts in.
Gasps rippled from everyone and they immediately recognize her.