Chapter 976

"It's because you men are so unreliable." Vivian Dempsey rested her chin on her hand, tapping the table lightly with her fingertips. "Our class president is what you'd call a modern independent woman—father-free parenting, ever heard of it? She's practically my second idol now."

Victor Laurent nearly choked on his dumpling. "Father-free parenting?!"

His voice shot up an octave, startling Baby Chloe. The dumpling she'd just grabbed plopped back onto the table.

Vivian shot him a disdainful look. "Why the shock? Single mothers are everywhere abroad. If it weren't for all the red tape here, I'd have picked premium genes from a sperm bank ages ago—sparing myself the headache of dealing with men."

"You're serious?" Victor's Adam's apple bobbed. "No plans for marriage?"

"Maybe if I meet the right one." She counted off on her fingers. "Lately it's been either mama's boys or mediocre guys with inflated egos. At this rate, I'll develop commitment phobia."

Her gaze swept over Victor, and she found him oddly tolerable for once. Sure, he was a bit of a goof, but at least he wasn't completely insufferable.

Victor's mind raced. Part of him was relieved she wasn't looking to settle down, but another part winced at how she'd written off every man on the planet.

"You've got lots of classmates abroad, right?" Vivian's eyes suddenly sparkled.

"Y-yeah..."

"Perfect!" She slapped the table. "Introduce me to a few. If things work out, I'll bring one home to shut my dad up."

Victor nearly knocked over the vinegar dish. "Absolutely not!"

"What? Afraid I'll devour your friends?"

"I'm afraid they wouldn't be worthy of you!" Beads of sweat formed on his forehead. "Those guys are either alcoholics, promiscuous, or can't even speak proper English!"

He silently apologized to his old classmates.

Vivian burst into laughter. "Who's devouring whom remains to be seen. I just want a mixed-race baby—blonde hair, blue eyes, like a little doll—"

Hearing the compliment, Baby Chloe happily kicked her tiny feet.

"Mixed genes are unstable!" Victor's voice cracked. "What if the baby has black hair? And none of my friends are even blonde!"

"Just throwing it out there." Vivian blinked. "So, introductions?"

"No!" He gritted his teeth. "Finding a father isn't like grocery shopping—you need someone thoroughly vetted!"

He emphasized the last four words pointedly.

Vivian mused, "Thoroughly vetted men... that is a short list."

Victor's pulse quickened, his fingers unconsciously tracing the rim of his teacup.

"My secretary's boyfriend is great—always packing her lunch." She suddenly started counting examples. "And Yingying's husband—high school sweethearts to marriage..."

Victor's expression grew increasingly rigid.

"Oh!" Vivian leaned in abruptly. "Remember Yingying's desk mate? The one who brought her breakfast every day..."

"I remember." He forced a smile. "But those 'happily ever after' types are rare—"

Before he could finish, Vivian sighed into her hands. "Why are all the good ones snatched up so young?"