Chapter 277

The moment Evelyn spoke those words, the atmosphere turned glacial. Only the mournful wail of the autumn wind sweeping across the rooftop broke the silence.

Eleanor's face paled as she stared at Evelyn in shock. "W-What did you just say? Repeat that!"

William Montgomery strode forward, his piercing gaze locking onto Evelyn. "What kind of ridiculous lie is this? My daughter is standing right here, alive and well! How dare you claim she's been dead for three years!"

Evelyn's lips curled into a bitter smile as she released Eleanor's hand. "I'm not cursing your precious daughter," she stated calmly, pointing at Margaret. "I'm merely repeating what I heard her say - that your real daughter died three years ago."

"What?" The Montgomerys turned to Margaret in unison.

"Absolute nonsense!" Margaret denied vehemently, though panic flickered behind her composed facade. "Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery, don't listen to this woman's lies! I would never say such things!"

"Vivian Prescott," Victoria interjected dramatically, her voice trembling. "Why are you poisoning my adoptive parents' minds? What's your game? Are you trying to convince them I'm not their real daughter? Is this your twisted way of destroying me?"

Seeing Victoria's performance, Margaret played along urgently. "Victoria, darling, don't get upset! Come down from there! If anything happens to you, your parents will be devastated!"

Eleanor and William exchanged worried glances as Victoria shook her head despairingly. "Mother, Father...do you believe her over me? Do you think I'm not your real child? Is that why you've stopped caring about me? Fine then..."

She let out a hollow laugh. "Alexander ignores me, and now you doubt me too. What's left to live for?"

Victoria turned toward the rooftop's edge, taking a deliberate step closer.

"Victoria! No! Of course we believe you!" Eleanor screamed, her face ghostly pale.

"Don't be foolish!" William bellowed, his voice thick with paternal fear. "We would never stop caring about you!"

Evelyn's heart turned to ice witnessing their reactions. Even with the truth laid bare, they still chose to believe Victoria.

Her pink lips curved into a self-deprecating smile. 'Perhaps it's my face,' she thought bitterly. 'Untrustworthy then, untrustworthy now.'

"Vivian Prescott, stop this poisonous nonsense!" Eleanor rounded on Evelyn, eyes blazing. "Get out! If anything happens to my daughter because of you, I'll never forgive you! Leave now!"

Evelyn met Eleanor's furious gaze, her smile never wavering. Instead of retreating, she advanced toward Victoria.

"Don't you dare!" William roared. "Take one more step and you'll regret it for the rest of your life!"

Evelyn paused, her striking eyes fixed on Victoria's theatrical performance. "Your acting skills are remarkable, Victoria. Such a waste you never pursued theater."

Victoria widened her tear-filled eyes. "V-Vivian, how could you say such things?"

"Don't play dumb," Evelyn scoffed. "If you're going to jump, do it already. We're all waiting."

"You vile creature!" Margaret lunged forward. "Look at her, Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery! She's practically pushing Victoria to jump!"

"Vivian Prescott!" Eleanor grabbed Evelyn's arm violently. "You wicked witch! You're just as cruel as Evelyn Sinclair ever was!"