<h4>Chapter 457: Refusing to Back Down</h4>


    E smiled softly. "Miss Vivian, we did send you an invitation. After all, in both the Nelson and Anderson families, attending a wedding banquet requires an invitation. I hope you can understand."


    "Vivian, stop causing a scene and go inside," David said impatiently.


    Carl, who was deeply in love with Vivian, snorted. "Rules are made by people, aren’t they?"


    "David, our wedding banquet is only for genuine friends. And this person is...?" Eric trailed off, his piercing gazending on Carl.


    Carl felt the weight of Eric’s cold stare, sharp as a sword ready to pierce his chest. Startled, he locked eyes with the man radiating such an icy,manding presence.


    "Carl, if you want to attend this wedding banquet, stop talking nonsense," David said, frowning.


    Carl’s face darkened, but he dared not say another word.


    Eric let the matter slide and invited them to their seats before escorting E back to the head table.


    "Eric, today is your big day. I don’t want any unpleasant incidents," Lucas said calmly, ncing at Eric.


    Eric nodded quickly. "Don’t worry, Dad. Nothing will happen."


    E smiled faintly, but she could feel Vivian’s cold gaze flitting toward her face from time to time. It reminded her of the time Vivian had called, deliberately trying to make her misunderstand Eric.


    This woman had some schemes up her sleeve, but she wasn’t the most challenging opponent.


    "Eric, congrattions! Tonight, let’s drink until we drop, huh?" Richard called out from a neighboring table.


    "That’s right—no stopping until we’re drunk!" someone else chimed in.


    "How can you guys be so cruel? It’s their wedding night—they’ll want to enjoy it!"


    The friends teased and cheered, creating a lively atmosphere. Eric yed along lightly, humoring their jokes with a fewments.


    He and E carried their wine sses as they mingled, offering toasts to family and friends. With only eight tables, it wasn’t too much effort to make their rounds.


    E didn’t feel overly tired. Perhaps it was because her friends were considerate, knowing she was pregnant, and refrained from overwhelming her with chatter. Physically, she held up well.


    When they reached David’s table, Eric raised his ss to toast him. Meanwhile, Vivian, her face flushed from drinking, had already consumed several sses in mere minutes. She stood up, swaying slightly, and grinned at E.


    "Miss Davis, you’re really beautiful... but... I’m not giving up on Eric! Everyone has the right to pursue happiness, so I hope you’re prepared for that..." Vivian slurred.


    David looked mortified and scolded her in a low voice. "Vivian, you’re drunk. Stop spouting nonsense!"


    Vivian giggled, but E remainedposed, lightly clinking her ss against Vivian’s. "Miss Vivian, I think you misunderstand the concept of happiness. True happiness isn’t built on someone else’s pain. It requires mutual affection, not coercion. I hope once you’ve sobered up, you’ll reflect on these words."


    Vivian snorted coldly, her eyes filled with stubborn defiance.


    "All right, E, let’s go back. Vivian, stop your nonsense," Eric said curtly, his tone icy as he took E’s arm and led her away.


    Under the table, David delivered a sharp kick to Vivian. She winced and frowned, feeling both irritated and frustrated.


    But she knew that if she caused more trouble, Eric wouldn’t tolerate it.


    Still, how could she make E lose face and embarrass her?


    Vivian’s eyes darted around as she mulled it over. She quickly pulled out her phone and messaged a friend. "Let me see what I can do!"


    Vivian wasn’t especially cunning; most of her schemes came from ideas borrowed from others.


    A momentter, her phone buzzed with a reply. Reading the message, Vivian smiled knowingly, her frustration lifting as a wicked sense of glee took its ce.


    On E’s side of the hall, the atmosphere was filled with joy andughter.


    Her uncle Bobby, aunt, cousin Benjamin, and Luke were all seated at the same table.


    Luke nced at E a few more times, suddenly realizing just how breathtaking she looked today.


    A woman is never more radiant in her life than on her wedding day.


    A faint sourness tugged at his heart, an inexplicable and bittersweet feeling washing over him.


    "E, I heard your baby is already four months along—what a double blessing!" her aunt said with a warm smile, her eyes brimming with genuine joy.


    Thanks to E, their family had escaped hardship and now lived a life of privilege and happiness—something they had never dared to imagine.


    To Bobby’s family, E was not only a rtive but also their savior.


    "Aunt, when are you nning to marry off my cousin and start enjoying grandkids?" E teased with augh.


    Benjamin’s face turned slightly red. "E, don’t make fun of me. I don’t have time for rtionships right now—I’m busy with grad school!"


    The groupughed heartily, exchanging lighthearted family banter.


    Meanwhile, Vivian abruptly stood up and hurried toward the restroom.


    As Vivian passed by E, her smile seemed oddly sinister.


    Not long after Vivian left, a waitress approached E and spoke softly. "Mrs. Nelson, thedy named Vivian just now said she had something important to tell you and requested that you meet her in the restroom."


    E raised an eyebrow, while Eric frowned slightly. "E, don’t pay her any mind. Just keep eating."


    Lucas also looked displeased. Vivian, as a guest, shouldn’t have anything so urgent to discuss with the host that it required a private meeting in the restroom.


    Or perhaps... Vivian had ulterior motives?


    "E, she’s just a guest. Let it go and enjoy your meal," Lucas said with a smile. But E shook her head, her beautiful eyes sparkling. "No, Dad. She’s still a guest, and she is, after all, the niece of the President of Country W."


    Lucas’s expression changed slightly. "So that’s why David looked familiar to me this whole time. I didn’t realize... he’s the President’s nephew."


    Eric smiled faintly. "Dad, David was one of my closest friends during university. But Vivian is less mature, so if E insists on going, let Mia apany her."


    Mia was skilled and reliable, despite a past mistake. Considering how unpredictable situations could be, that slip-up couldn’t entirely be med on her.


    "Very well, E. But be careful!" Lucas said, still concerned. Though he knew his daughter was clever and rarely taken advantage of, he couldn’t help but worry.


    E nodded gently and walked toward the restroom with Mia by her side.


    The restroom on the ninth floor was pristine, spacious, and well-maintained, withrge leafy green nts adorning the space. The air was fresh, free from any unpleasant odors.


    As E and Mia entered, they found Vivian at the sink, washing her hands. She had also taken out her makeup bag and was touching up her face. Without turning to look, Vivian said casually, "Miss Davis, you’re here?"