Chapter 4

• After gathering a little money from Nisan's family, Vienna and her sister, along with Nisan, came to the city and admitted their mother to the hospital.
• They stayed in a one-bedroom flat lent to them by one of their uncles.
• After arriving and settling down, only a few days remained before the scheduled operation for her mother. Vienna decided to go out and look for a menial job to earn some money.
• Since she had dropped out of school and couldn’t get her university certificate, her options were limited, and she could only apply for jobs with her high school qualification.
• She stepped out of the house to take a bus, planning to visit other family members for assistance before checking the place Nisan had introduced to her.
• Getting on the bus, she sat down beside a man reading a newspaper.
• Out of curiosity, she leaned forward and saw Alan and Karen's picture on the front page.
• Since leaving the city for the countryside, she hadn’t heard anything about Alan at all.
• She tried to lean in closer, but the man noticed, raised his head, and passed the newspaper to her.
• Vienna thanked him and took it. Her eyes widened as she read the headline and quickly flipped the page.
• > “It has been revealed that the famous Alan Clinton, of the Clinton Empire, has lost his sight due to the accident that occurred a month ago.
• He will be unable to continue running the affairs of the company for now.
• The assistant CEO, Mr. Karen, has been announced to take over the running of the business.”
• Vienna read the news again, bewildered.
• Even though she had wished for karma to catch up with Alan and Benita, she never imagined that he would one day become blind.
• She turned to the next page, only to be even more shocked when she saw a picture announcing the engagement between Karen and Benita.
• "Isn’t she supposed to be with Alan?" Vienna muttered to herself.
• She had always known of Karen’s competition with Alan, though others rarely noticed it. Still, she never expected that in just three years, Karen would take everything from Alan—even his woman.
• For a moment, Vienna felt a twinge of pity for Alan, knowing how prideful he was. But she quickly reminded herself that it was none of her business.
• She returned the paper and tried to dismiss it, but her mind couldn’t let it go. Different assumptions ran through her head, and the thought that Benita might have cheated on Alan gave her a secret sense of satisfaction.
• Karma is a bitch.
• When Vienna got off the bus, she visited three uncles and an aunt she was close to, hoping for help. But none of them even agreed to meet her.
• They all sent her away, calling her the daughter of a criminal.
• Vienna wasn’t surprised by their attitude. Back when her parents were wealthy, those same relatives were always at their house asking for favors. But now, they only saw her as the daughter of a criminal.
• She blinked rapidly to stop her tears from falling as she dragged herself to a small shop to buy some buns.
• Because she was trying to save money, she hadn’t eaten anything since the previous night. Now, hunger gnawed at her too strongly to ignore.
• With the little she had, Vienna managed to buy two buns. She ate them quickly, wiped her mouth, and checked the time. Only ten minutes remained before the appointment for the job interview she had been contacted about.
• Panicked, she broke into a run.
• Despite her effort, she still arrived three minutes late.
• Rushing into the café, she went straight to the counter.
• “Excuse me, good day. I’m here for the interview,” she said, breathing heavily.
• The owner looked at her, confused.
• “You must be mistaken. I’m not hiring anyone,” he replied, returning to his work.
• Vienna frowned and quickly checked the address on her phone. Stepping outside to confirm again, a woman suddenly appeared in front of her.
• “Miss Vienna,” the woman called.
• Vienna looked at her, startled, wondering how she knew her name.
• “I’m the one who texted you to meet here,” the woman explained.
• Relieved, Vienna smiled. “Good afternoon. I thought I was in the wrong place.”
• “Let’s go in,” the woman said, motioning toward the café.
• They sat at a table by the wall, and the woman signaled to the waiter for two iced coffees.
• “I’m Kellie, personal assistant to Mr. Alan Clinton,” she introduced herself.
• Vienna froze.
• “President who?”
• “President Alan Clinton. I’m here to discuss some business with you on his behalf.”
• Vienna’s jaw nearly dropped.
• “What business could there possibly be between him and me?” she thought, suspecting a prank.
• “I think you’ve got the wrong person. I don’t know anyone with that name,” Vienna said aloud and stood to leave.
• “You are Vienna Miner, aren’t you? Mr. Alan’s ex-fiancée. Why don’t you sit down and hear me out?” Kellie pressed.
• “If this isn’t about a job, then I need to leave,” Vienna snapped.
• “It might not be a job,” Kellie said calmly, “but it does involve money.”
• At the mention of money, Vienna hesitated and reluctantly sat down again.
• “I won’t beat around the bush. Mr. Clinton wants to reinstate your engagement with him—but only as a contract, for a period of time.”
• Vienna’s eyes narrowed.
• “Reinstate the engagement? A fake one?”
• “Yes. For three months. And during that time, you’ll need to convince his grandfather that you don’t want to get married immediately. Simply delay the wedding for those three months.”
• Vienna stared at her, processing the words.
• “Why? Because he’s blind now and needs me, after his so-called lover abandoned him?” she blurted out before she could stop herself.
• Kellie smiled faintly, realizing Vienna already knew the situation.
• “I’m only here to deliver his message. And it won’t be for free. Your mother needs surgery, and your sister needs money for her exams. If you agree, Mr. Alan will cover your mother’s operation and help with your sister’s education.”
• Vienna shot up from her chair, anger flashing across her face.
• “Did you spy on me? Of course he did. That’s just like him—stooping so low to get me to agree to his ridiculous demands.”
• Her voice rose.
• “Tell him to shove his money. I don’t need it.”
• “Contact me again if you change your mind,” Kellie said calmly, not pushing further.
• But Vienna stormed out of the café, fuming with anger, cursing Alan under her breath.