Chapter 190

At the Vanderbilt mansion…

A sharp, resounding slap landed on Laura’s face, leaving her stunned.

When Richard discovered that Laura was behind Evelyn’s abduction, his entire body trembled with fury. His voice was a low, dangerous growl.

"You vile woman! All these years, I’ve treated you and Vivian with nothing but kindness. And this is how you repay me? How dare you lay a hand on Evelyn while I still draw breath?"

Laura clutched her burning cheek, her fingers trembling. She had never expected Nolan’s plan to fail.

It was all because of Nathan!

There was no point in making excuses now. But she could see the storm in Richard’s eyes, and she had to try. "Please, listen to me—"

"What more could you possibly say?" Richard’s voice was thick with disgust. "I truly believed you cared for Evelyn. I thought you were a good stepmother. But now I see how blind I’ve been."

Finally, he understood why Evelyn had never warmed to them.

They were cruel.

And he—

He had sent his own daughter away because of them.

He had nearly destroyed her.

Richard slammed the divorce papers onto the desk. "I was willing to give you another chance. But not anymore."

"You—you want a divorce?" Her voice cracked as she stared at the documents in horror.

"Yes. It’s over." His tone left no room for argument.

The years they had shared meant nothing now. His decision was final.

Laura dropped to her knees, clutching at his legs. "Richard, please! I’ve been by your side for so long. I gave you Vivian! You can’t do this to me!"

Richard hesitated. The way she said his name—soft, desperate—brought back memories of their first meeting.

Back then, she had seemed so gentle. So pure.

But it had all been an act.

Seeing his hesitation, she pressed on. "Richard, I know what I did was wrong. But I wasn’t thinking clearly. I never meant to hurt Evelyn—I just wanted to scare her! It was all for Vivian!"

Her voice broke. "Vivian is all I have. All these years, she’s been labeled a bastard. Do you think that doesn’t tear me apart? She loved Nathan for six years, and then Evelyn took him away. Yes, Evelyn is brilliant. She’s everything I wished Vivian could be."

Her nails dug into his trousers. "But has Evelyn ever spared Vivian? Do you really think Vivian stole those designs? It was Zoe who conspired with Frederick to frame her! What did Vivian ever do to deserve this?"

Richard exhaled sharply, his jaw tightening. "When you and Vivian set Evelyn up six years ago, did you ever think karma would come for you?"

His voice was heavy with regret. "I failed Evelyn because I favored Vivian too much. But Zoe—she never got the love she deserved from me. And despite that, has she ever retaliated against either of you?"

His gaze hardened. "If I hadn’t wronged you, I wouldn’t have brought you into this family. I never wanted Vivian to be illegitimate. But was any of this fair to Evelyn? No. And yet, you still chose to hurt her."