Chapter 195

Vivian never anticipated running into that woman here.

"Damn it! Did Evelyn bring her along?"

A dangerous glint flashed briefly in her eyes.

Lucas Laurent studied Sophia Hill closely, struck by an odd sense of familiarity. After a moment's observation, realization dawned - wasn't she the woman who'd accompanied those two children to the Michelin-starred restaurant?

"Sophia!" Mrs. Boucher hissed, gripping her arm in warning. "That's Madam Lillian's niece you're speaking to."

"What?" Sophia's eyes widened in shock.

'How can Vivian be related to Aunt Lillian? Unless... she's the de Armas heir they're announcing tonight?'

"Aunt Lillian, there must be some mistake. She can't possibly be—" William Hill yanked his daughter aside, cutting her off sharply. "Enough! You're making a scene!"

Sophia shook off his grip. "Father, I'm not joking! That woman is the Vanderbilt bastard. Her mother is Zoe's stepmother - Laura Scott!"

Though Sophia spoke in hushed tones, every word carried clearly to the surrounding guests.

Vivian's face drained of color, her hands trembling with suppressed rage.

Still, she maintained her facade. "No, you're mistaken... Laura Scott merely fostered me—"

"Fostered?" Sophia scoffed. "Would your father appreciate you disowning him like that?"

"Sophia Hill!" Mrs. Boucher snapped, scandalized.

Seeing the older woman take Vivian's side, Sophia shot her a wounded look while suspicion churned in her gut.

'Vivian as a de Armas? That's absolute nonsense. I need to call Zoe immediately!'

Though the confrontation hadn't yet escalated into full scandal, Lillian de Arma had already marked Sophia's words.

She turned slowly, pinning Vivian with a penetrating stare.

Under that scrutiny, Vivian rushed forward with explanations. "Aunt Lillian, I would never lie to you! That woman holds a grudge from our restaurant encounter. She's deliberately slandering me!"

"Vivian Vanderbilt, you pathological liar!" Sophia spat. "You started that fight and threw coffee at me!"

"I... I didn't..." Vivian bit her lip, summoning tears to her eyes.

The gathered guests murmured disapprovingly, their sympathies swaying toward the seemingly victimized Vivian.

William, seeing his daughter's continued aggression toward their host's niece, moved to intervene—only for Lucas to step forward.

"I witnessed the incident. Ms. Hill's account is accurate." Lucas's calm statement doused William's rising anger.

Vivian's breath hitched.

'Is Lucas defending this bitch?'

"Both parties bore responsibility that day," Lucas continued smoothly. "This isn't the appropriate venue to rehash personal disputes."

Sophia's initial relief at his support curdled into outrage. "Are you blind or just—"

"Sophia!" William thundered. "One more word and you're grounded indefinitely!"

He regretted bringing his impulsive daughter tonight. 'I brought her to learn high society etiquette, not create diplomatic incidents!'

Vivian hid a smirk behind her wine glass.

'Everyone here knows better than to cross the de Armas. What makes this little tramp think she can humiliate me at my own event?'

She drifted to Lucas's side, affecting remorse. "I'm so sorry, Lucas. I've caused trouble for you and Aunt Lillian again."