Farewell to Love: The CEO's Desperate Chase novel Chapter 51

Everything was perfectly clear, no words necessary.

After a few more polite exchanges, Vivienne stepped off the stage.

Next up was the contestants' performances.

When the first singer was nearly finished, Emilia was called to wait backstage.

As she made her way down the staff corridor, Vivienne—who'd just been out in the audience chatting with Tyler—returned through the same passage. The two nearly brushed shoulders.

"Serena." Vivienne called out, stopping Emilia in her tracks.

Emilia paused, turning to face her.

"Did you like it?" Vivienne's smile was bright. "My performance, I mean."

Emilia let out a soft chuckle. "The song was beautiful."

Vivienne's smile widened, satisfaction flickering in her eyes.

"I'm sure that song proved my talent to you," she said.

Emilia just laughed quietly, saying nothing.

Vivienne pressed on. "Later, when we form teams, would you consider joining mine?"

Tonight was the very first live episode of *Voice of the Divine*. The broadcast would introduce all the guests and contestants, and the teams would be assembled. There were three celebrity judges, each allowed to select four team members. The contestants and judges would choose one another in turn.

"You're asking me this before I've even sung a note?" Emilia found it almost comical. "Aren't you worried I'll drag you down?"

"I have a feeling you'll pick me," Vivienne replied, stepping closer, her tone sly. "After all, we share a common enemy."

She leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper at Emilia's ear. "Serena, do you know why you can't officially become Christian's girlfriend?"

Emilia raised an eyebrow. She had no idea what Vivienne was getting at.

Her? Christian's girlfriend?

She'd chosen this exact moment—right before "Serena" was about to perform—to drop the bomb for two reasons.

First, to throw Serena off her game, mess with her head, maybe make her slip up on stage. The Masked Woman hadn't attended rehearsal, so Vivienne had no idea how skilled—or green—she might be. No one had warned her about the rules, either. But tonight was Vivienne's night to shine. She was determined to be the star of the show.

Second, she wanted to plant a seed of resentment in Serena's heart toward Emilia. After all, Serena had lost Christian's child and still hadn't "officially" made it to girlfriend status. Surely, she must have felt bitterness—maybe even hatred. And if that hatred existed, Vivienne intended to point it straight at Emilia.

She'd turn the Masked Woman into a weapon aimed at her rival.

The more Vivienne thought about it, the more flawless her scheme seemed. Pleased with herself, she disappeared into the wings.

Near the corridor's entrance, Emilia paused for a moment, glancing back at Vivienne's retreating figure.

She said nothing.

Meanwhile, in a small backstage room, two people listened in shock to the conversation playing through a recording device labeled STAFF CORRIDOR.

"Should we report this?" one of them whispered.