Chapter 345

Vivian confessed everything without hesitation, her lips curling into a mocking smirk.

"You can't change anything now even if you know the truth." Her voice dripped with venom. "Evelyn, if I can't be happy, neither will you."

The bitter thought clawed at her mind like a trapped animal. 'Why wasn't I born as Richard Vanderbilt's real daughter? Why does Evelyn get everything - the luck, the status, the perfect life?'

Her fingers tightened around the knife handle. "I'll make sure you vanish forever. Once you're gone, no one will ever dare cross me again!"

'What do I have left to lose?' Vivian's manic laughter echoed in the abandoned warehouse. 'Mother's in prison. I've lost my home, my reputation. There's nothing holding me back now.'

Evelyn studied the deranged woman before her without an ounce of sympathy. Only pity. "Vivian Vanderbilt, when will you ever take responsibility for your own choices?"

"Who gave you the right to judge me?" Vivian shrieked, her grip tightening painfully on Evelyn's arm. "This is all your fault!"

A sharp pain shot through Evelyn's wrist, but she refused to give Vivian the satisfaction of seeing her wince. "Tell me, when have I ever wronged you? Or have you forgotten what you did six years ago?"

Her voice turned icy. "You were the one who betrayed me first. You've been scheming against me at every turn. And now you dare play the victim?"

"You deserve everything that's happened to you!" Evelyn nearly shouted, her composure cracking.

Vivian's face twisted in rage. She raised her hand to strike - only to find her wrist caught midair.

In one fluid motion, Evelyn twisted free from the loosened ropes and pinned Vivian against the wall. The sharp edge of her diamond ring pressed against Vivian's jugular.

"Move and she dies," Evelyn warned the two hired thugs, her voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through her veins. The ring had been her secret weapon, slowly sawing through the ropes while Vivian monologued.

The men froze. They hadn't signed up for murder - especially not without getting paid first.

"Don't listen to her!" Vivian screamed. "She won't dare- AHH!"

A thin trickle of blood ran down Vivian's neck as Evelyn pressed the ring deeper. The men paled, staying rooted to the spot.

"W-what are you doing?" Vivian's bravado cracked as real fear set in. The sting at her neck made her legs tremble. She never imagined Evelyn would actually hurt her.

Evelyn's laugh was cold. "What does it look like? Did you really think I'd hesitate after everything you've done?"

"You'll never make it out alive if you kill me!" Vivian gasped. "I have more men outside. If I die here- URK!"

The ring dug deeper, cutting off Vivian's threat.

"Worry about yourself," Evelyn murmured, her breath cool against Vivian's ear. "These men? They're only here for money. I can pay them double whatever you promised."

She locked eyes with the hesitant thugs. "Name your price. My husband Nathan Goldmann has deeper pockets than she could ever dream of."