Chapter 83

The night was as dark as ink, deep and impenetrable.

Occasional cars sped down the empty street, slicing through the silence.

The streetlights cast mottled halos of light, outlining Liam Sullivan's sharp profile.

His deep eyes appeared especially cold and distant in the darkness.

Twenty minutes later, the black limousine slowly entered the Lakeside Manor community.

It finally stopped in front of Vivian Bennett's building.

Liam picked up his phone and dialed the familiar number.

Vivian was already deep in sleep when the urgent ringing startled her awake.

She turned over irritably, trying to ignore the annoying sound.

But the ringing persisted stubbornly, showing no sign of stopping.

"Who is it?" she answered grumpily, her voice thick with sleep.

"Come out." A man's voice, leaving no room for argument, came from the other end.

Vivian frowned drowsily. "Wrong number?"

"Liam Sullivan." Three words, clear and icy.

Hearing that name, Vivian instantly woke up.

She sat up abruptly, staring at her phone screen in disbelief.

"Boss?" she asked tentatively.

"You have three minutes." Liam's voice held no warmth. "If you don't come out, I'm coming up."

Vivian's heart leaped.

She glanced at the alarm clock on her bedside table. The hour hand pointed to twelve-thirty.

What did he want at such a late hour?

She hurriedly grabbed a long coat and threw it on.

She rushed to open her apartment door.

No one was outside.

"Where are you?" she asked into the phone.

"Downstairs." Liam's reply was brief.

Vivian took a deep breath and dashed into the elevator in her slippers.

Liam leaned against his car outside the glass doors of the lobby.

The dim yellow light fell on him, making his figure appear even more tall and straight.

Vivian jogged over to him, slightly out of breath.

Her silk nightgown outlined her slender curves.

Though her coat was wrapped tightly, it couldn't hide her unintentional soft beauty.

Liam's gaze lingered on her for a moment.

The corner of his lips lifted almost imperceptibly.

"Boss, what's the matter so late?" Vivian tried to steady her breathing.

Her tone held confusion and unease.