This unexpected call broke the silence, with Lyon inviting Ethan and his wife to gather at his home.
"Ethan hung up the phone and announced, "Uncle invited us for dinner next Sunday."
"So sudden?" Vivian inquired with a smile, though her expression betrayed no surprise.
According to Lyon, he hadn't had a proper chance to meet Vivian since their marriage. Although they briefly encountered at the jewelry exhibition, both Ethan and Vivian were too busy to engage in conversation. Thus, Lyon proposed this private gathering.
After Ethan explained, he observed Vivian's reaction, querying, "Did you anticipate Uncle's invitation?"
Vivian rose, taking Ethan's hands gently, gazing into his eyes with a mysterious yet tender look.
"Do you believe I'm from another time?"
"You've proven it so many times, how can I not?" The original Vivian couldn't have possessed the skills this Vivian demonstrated. After so many displays, disbelief had no choice but to transform into acceptance.
"Do you trust me?"
Vivian maintained her usual faint smile, a hint of playful insouciance that suggested his answer mattered little. But Ethan, after spending time with her, sensed the sincerity beneath her casual grin.
Reflecting on Vivian's character, he recognized her light-hearted demeanor and teasing ways that often left him flustered. She was openly attracted to men, enjoyed taking liberties with him, and seemed to fancy his posterior without reservation. Her personality was arrogant, unyielding, and competitive, always striving for the top spot in everything, whether it was physical confrontations or otherwise.
She consistently challenged his perceptions of women.
However, Vivian was also intelligent, independent, and didn't rely on others. She was true to her word and loyal, treating others with sincerity, kindness, and fairness, without being sentimental or promiscuous.
She embodied the gentleness and empathy of a woman alongside the decisiveness and boldness typically associated with men.
Most importantly, he had never met anyone who would say, "Don't worry, I'll hold it up for you even if the sky falls on your head."
Her confidence and reliability were unparalleled, inspiring a sense of trust and reliance.
And she wasn't just speaking empty words; she genuinely had the capacity to be relied upon.
Thus, when Vivian asked, "Do you trust me?"
The answer was... self-evident.
-------------------
On Sunday morning, Ethan, using the family gathering as an excuse, chose to drive himself to Lyon's villa instead of having his chauffeur do it.
Due to his disability, Lyon rarely socialized and lived in a remote mountainous area, requiring a significant drive.
Soon afterward, two cars quietly tailed behind, seemingly coincidentally heading towards the same destination.
Vivian glanced in the rearview mirror, her lips curling slightly. She gradually accelerated, with the trailing vehicles maintaining a steady distance.
Ethan noticed the speed increase and looked at Vivian questioningly.
"We're being tailed," Vivian informed him.
He turned to see two cars leisurely following behind.
"Are you sure?" The cars were common models, leaving Ethan somewhat incredulous.
"Mm, they're keeping close. They're special agent too," Vivian pointed to the speedometer, indicating they were traveling nearly seventy miles per hour on winding roads, yet the pursuers remained steadfastly on their tail.
Ethan was startled by the high speed, his heart rate accelerating. Vivian's calm demeanor and the smooth ride had concealed their velocity.
"Be careful," Ethan, unusually anxious, urged.
Vivian responded with a confident smile, "Hold tight."
Instantly, she floored the accelerator, the car surging forward like an arrow. Ethan clutched the handle, breathless.
Vivian skillfully navigated the winding road, each turn accompanied by the screech of tires against pavement, the centrifugal force giving Ethan the thrilling sensation of a roller coaster ride.
The pursuit cars fell behind, soon disappearing from sight.
However, Ethan didn't relax. Two descending vehicles appeared ahead, occupying both lanes, closing in.
Vivian's expression grew serious as she braked abruptly and reversed at high speed.
"What are you doing?" Ethan was near panic. The two cars they had just shaken off were behind them, and the mountain road offered no escape.
Vivian leaned coolly against the passenger seat, eyes on the rear, expertly reversing along the winding path with one hand on the wheel.
The pursuing cars rapidly drew near, mere hundreds of meters away.
"Hands on your head, get down," Vivian commanded sternly, and Ethan obeyed instinctively.
Two gunshots-like sounds exploded in Ethan's ears.
"They have guns?" Ethan exclaimed in shock.
Was this an attempt on his life? His heart raced, his mind unable to keep pace with the perilous situation, filled only with questions.
Why was his death necessary? Were his parents killed in a similar fashion?
Fear, anger, and tension flooded him. A soft hand pressed on Ethan's head as Vivian's voice replaced the gunfire.
"Don't worry, it's okay," her calm voice instantly soothed his racing heart and anxiety. The gunfire and the screeching tires outside seemed to fade into irrelevance.
The car reversed wildly, halted abruptly, and then spun with a drift, halting in the middle of the road. Vivian lowered a window, controlling the drifting car with one hand while drawing a gun with the other to retaliate.
Ethan ducked, multiple gunshots ringing in his ears. The car was hit, bullets pinged off the metal frame, each resonating painfully in his heart.
Though bowed, Ethan sensed the intensity of the battle. Though the gunfire terrified him, seeing Vivian's confident gun-wielding figure brought comfort.
In the distance, a rumbling whirring grew louder, the sound of massive rotor blades.
During a lull in gunfire, Ethan peered out the window to see a helicopter approaching.
Down the mountain road, several familiar vehicles sped towards them.
Vivian stopped, her expression relaxing slightly, about to say something to Ethan, when she suddenly paled, bending over to vomit. In this momentary lapse, a vehicle collided with theirs, sending both careening down the slope.
