Maru turned around and looked at Vivian. "James Ferrer?" he asked.

But Vivian didn't answer until he sat back. She glanced down at his empty chair and then at him.

Maru has no choice but to sit back in his chair.

Vivian smiles as she gets him to stay.

"How do you know, James?" Jenny immediately asked.

"James Ferrer is the CEO of J Corporation!" Vivian said.

"C...E... O?" Jenny dumbfoundedly repeated.

Vivian nodded assuringly.

Judging by the surprised looks on their faces, Vivian smiled arrogantly and sarcastically said, "I guess you guys don't know!"

—If only Jenny hadn't been too busy thinking about Maru and Eunice earlier, she must've seen the article about James in the magazine she was holding. Then, she would not be this shocked.

As Vivian was enjoying the puzzled expression on their faces, she continued, "As a matter of fact, it was James who convinced me to get you guys for this project. Well, at first, I was doubtful, but seeing the work you two had done before had made me change my mind!"

After hearing Vivian, Maru says, "I'm sorry, Ms. Vivian, but do you really think that because you mentioned James, everything will change?"

Vivian smirked at him and said, "Well, it made you stay, isn't it?"

Maru pursed his lips; he couldn't argue with what she said.

Vivian continued to speak.

"James thinks highly of you two, especially you, Maru. I think he likes you a lot, or why else would he recommend you?"

Maru's eyes narrowed as he heard Vivian.

"She must have known that James and I aren't friends. What is she scheming?" he asked himself.

Jenny also noticed Maru's expression; she knew she needed to interrupt.

"Ms. Vivian, don't oversell it. I am sure you know by now that James and Maru aren't friends. But as to why he recommended us? I am also curious to know," she said on behalf of Maru.

Vivian released a small laugh.

"Am I overselling it? Oh well! But he indeed recommended you two." she told directly to Jenny.

Then Vivian turned to face Maru, "James also mentioned that you can't handle being second. And by your reaction when I mentioned that you are our other option, I guess he was right!"

Jenny knows Maru. He doesn't like the fact that James is correct about him. But more importantly, he doesn't like the idea of him working for James—not now and not in a million years.

So, when Maru is about to say something, Jenny immediately intervenes again. She wouldn't let him make any compulsive decision that most likely would affect her, too.

"Ms. Vivian, can you give us some time to think?" Jenny asked, and her gaze landed on Maru.

Vivian looked at her and sat back.

"You'll have the weekends to think it over," she said.

"We'll need more time. How about a month?" Maru countered.

Vivian slightly tilted her head. And with an eyebrow raised, she answered, "One month is too long, Mr Kang!"

Maru purposely said one month because he knew that his offer was unrealistic. That it would leave Vivian no choice but to reject them. In that case, it will look like the Auberge was the one who rejected them and had nothing to do with him. However, he didn't expect Jenny to negotiate more.

"How about next Friday?" Jenny suggested.

Jenny knew Maru was expecting her to follow him just like she always did—in the past. But she was not the same Jenny anymore; she would not allow him to take charge.

Vivian looked at her, "Hmmm..." she seemed to consider what Jenny said.

Maru could only hope that Vivian would also reject Jenny's request because he honestly didn't like the idea of him working under James.

Finally, Vivian says, "...I think it's doable,"

Maru was disappointed that Vivian agreed, but seeing Jenny smile, he could only concede.

Widely smiling, Jenny said, "Thank you, Ms. Vivian,"

Vivian then stands up as the sign that their meeting is over. Jenny and Maru followed.

"I will be expecting your answers no later than next Friday!" Vivian said as she shook hands with Jenny.

"Certainly, Ms. Vivian!" Jenny answers while shaking hands with Vivian.

Vivian then turns to Maru; he nods as he gives Vivian's hand a light grip.

Then she walks out the door where Martha is already standing, waiting.

Martha slightly bowed her head at Maru and Jenny and followed Vivian.

Martha opened the door for Vivian, and she strode inside. When Vivian was inside, Martha hurriedly escorted Jenny and Maru out of the entrance.

As Jenny and Maru silently walk towards the elevator, Maru breaks the silence between them.

"Why do you need more time about this?" he asked.

"No, the time is for you!" Jenny told him, and then the elevator opened.

Back in Vivian's office.

Vivian was sitting on the couch with her head back and her eyes closed. Then, she thought of her deal with James.

"Jenny must be on this project, or we will not have a deal." James firmly said.