Chapter 254

"Mother, you must believe me! That footage is completely fabricated!" Victoria turned pleading eyes toward Eleanor Kingsley after her desperate declaration. "Mrs. Blackwood, surely you know Vivian's true nature. Why would I ever harm her? She's never been virtuous to begin with!"

"Victoria, darling, don't distress yourself. I believe you." Eleanor didn't hesitate for even a second before siding with her daughter. Her gaze then turned venomous as it landed on Vivian and Sebastian. "Sebastian Whitman, how dare you publicly slander my daughter like this! You won't escape consequences for this defamation!"

"Your daughter?" Sebastian scoffed derisively. "Just because she's your flesh and blood, you'll turn blind to even the most heinous crimes?"

"You—"

"The evidence is clear for all to see. Everyone present can judge its authenticity. Victoria claims this was recent footage, so answer me this—if Vivian was impersonating Evelyn in the video, then who is that woman who looks identical to you? And who impersonated all these guests and Alexander's mother?"

Victoria's lips parted but no words came out under Sebastian's relentless questioning.

She had exhausted all possible excuses to deceive the gathered crowd.

The simple truth was—Sebastian spoke undeniable facts.

"Enough!" Eleanor's face flushed crimson with rage. "Vivian stole Victoria's fiancé and has been tormenting her relentlessly. She got exactly what she deserved! This has nothing to do with my daughter! That wretched girl deserved to be framed—who told her to have such a vile character?"

"So truth means nothing to you, Mrs. Kingsley?" Vivian's melodious voice cut through the tension. "All that matters is your daughter can do no wrong, is that it?"

Eleanor glared at her with undisguised contempt. "What business is this of yours?"

"None whatsoever. I merely pity Evelyn. Even in death, she bears the weight of crimes she didn't commit." Vivian's gaze locked onto Eleanor's with unsettling intensity.

"Mrs. Kingsley, you're so fiercely protective of your daughter, but have you considered Evelyn had parents too? Imagine their heartbreak learning of the injustices she suffered. Or perhaps... if Evelyn had been your daughter—"

"I would never have raised such a shameless creature!"

Eleanor's words struck Vivian like a dagger to the heart.

Her earlier claims of indifference had been lies.

The pain still cut deep.

"Victoria, I'll stand by you no matter what. Pay these people no mind. We're leaving!"

Eleanor gripped Victoria's hand tightly, shooting Vivian one last disgusted look before turning to leave.

Vivian pressed her lips together, fighting back the stinging tears threatening to spill.

Just as the mother-daughter pair reached the edge of the crowd, they froze abruptly.

"A-Alexander?" Victoria's eyes widened in shock at the man who'd materialized from nowhere amidst the spectators. Her voice trembled, "Alexander, what are you doing here? H-how long have you been standing there?"

Alexander didn't immediately respond. Instead, his long strides carried him purposefully toward Vivian.

His movements exuded effortless grace, every inch the commanding aristocrat. An icy aura surrounded his strikingly handsome yet expressionless face.

Vivian maintained her poised stance, though internally she was thrown into turmoil watching his approach.

Alexander's intense gaze never wavered from her. His piercing eyes held swirling depths that threatened to pull her under if she looked too long.

Sensing danger, Victoria released Eleanor's hand and rushed to intercept Alexander, clutching his arm desperately.

"Alexander, let me explain—"

"No explanations necessary." His voice was glacial.

"Alexander—"

"With Willowbrook's elite and press all gathered here, this presents a perfect opportunity." His strange, unreadable eyes remained fixed on Vivian. "Miss Prescott, you don't object to me making an announcement on your turf, do you?"