Chapter 146
"Grandmother, you can finally relax now that Viana is thriving again."
"How could I not? Viana is in your capable hands now." Madam Victoria beamed as she clasped Vivian's fingers.
Laura seized the moment to add, "Indeed. Vivian has become our family's lucky charm. Once she establishes her reputation, you'll be able to retire in comfort."
Madam Victoria basked in the praise. What grandmother wouldn't wish for her family's success and her own peaceful retirement?
The business had been struggling, forcing her to pin hopes on her grandson - only to face disappointment. Hadn't she come to Bassburgh solely for Viana's sake?
Yet coming to Bassburgh hadn't disappointed her. Even if it was her granddaughter rather than grandson achieving success, the journey proved worthwhile.
"If only Lydia possessed half of Vivian's talents," Madam Victoria remarked, shifting attention to the silent figure on the sofa.
Lydia had been staying in the city for weeks, yet Vivian never introduced her to high society. This neglect stung, and now being compared unfavorably to Vivian deepened her resentment.
But surely she couldn't possibly be worse than that disgraced cousin Evelyn, could she?
That wretched cousin hadn't shown her face since their first meeting after being cast out. Lydia might not match Vivian's brilliance, but she'd always outshine Evelyn.
"Grandmother, must you always compare me? I may not equal Vivian, but I'm certainly superior to Evelyn, aren't I?"
Lydia's careless words made Laura and Vivian stiffen. Though unintentional, the barb struck deep.
Mocking Evelyn alone would have been tolerable, but using her as a measuring stick implied Vivian's accomplishments stemmed solely from borrowed status and jewelry - not genuine ability.
Madam Victoria remained silent. Given the choice, she'd take the obedient if mediocre Lydia over troublesome Evelyn any day.
The ringing phone provided Vivian an escape to the balcony.
Frederick's news sparked delight. "You're certain?"
Evelyn planned to auction designs at Summerton in three days - and boasted she'd command the highest bid?
Vivian's eyes glittered as Frederick confirmed the details.
She'd invested $1.6 million in Frederick's designs. Without Penelope and Evelyn conspiring against her, she'd have dominated the jewelry world by now.
But fortune smiled differently - while jewelry eluded her grasp, nobility beckoned.
Evelyn aiming for record auction prices? Vivian wouldn't let this chance slip through her fingers.
The time for retaliation had come.
"Frederick," she commanded, "discover what she's auctioning and commission identical replicas."
She'd present the copies before Evelyn's items reached the block, then expose the "original" as plagiarism when Evelyn presented hers.
Vivian trembled with anticipation - how would the celebrated international designer survive that scandal?