Chapter 312

A murderous glint flashed in Victoria's eyes. Her gaze was so sharp it could have sliced Vivian into a thousand pieces.

She snatched the scissors from the cabinet, gripping them tightly as she lunged at Vivian with deadly intent.

Rage consumed her. She wanted to make Vivian pay—in blood.

But Vivian didn’t flinch. Instead, she sidestepped effortlessly.

Her movements were calm, calculated. In one swift motion, she caught Victoria’s wrist mid-air, stopping the scissors inches from her face.

Victoria’s eyes widened in shock. She tried to strike with her free hand, but Vivian saw it coming.

A sharp crack echoed through the room as Vivian’s palm connected with Victoria’s cheek.

Victoria gasped, clutching her face. The wound from the knife hadn’t even healed, and now the sting of the slap burned through her skin.

"My face!" she shrieked, her voice trembling with fury.

When she looked up, Vivian’s cold, mocking stare sent a chill down her spine.

"Does it hurt?" Vivian smirked. "Like salt in an open wound?"

"Let go of me, Vivian Prescott!" Victoria snarled, struggling against Vivian’s iron grip. "If you don’t, I swear—I’ll make you regret this!"

"Regret?" Vivian’s lips curled into a dangerous smile. She tightened her hold, making Victoria wince.

Her eyes turned icy. "Listen carefully, Victoria. I’m not the same Evelyn Sinclair you used to manipulate."

"I know everything you did to her. Just because I look like her doesn’t mean I’ll let you play the same games."

Vivian tilted her head, her gaze dripping with disdain. "Look at yourself. Your face, your heart—everything about you is rotten. Do you really think Alexander would still want you?"

She scoffed. "Forget being the lady of Blackwood Estate. You’re not even fit to step through its gates."

With that, she shoved Victoria away.

Victoria stumbled back, her rage crumbling under Vivian’s dominance.

She touched her throbbing cheek, glaring at Vivian, but no words came.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

Victoria’s head snapped toward the sound.

Alexander.

Instantly, her expression shifted. The fury vanished, replaced by tears and feigned vulnerability.

She rushed toward him, throwing herself into his arms.

Alexander frowned, instinctively trying to push her away—until she started sobbing.

"Alexander!" she cried, clinging to him. "Why does Miss Prescott keep tormenting me? She already arranged for those men to kidnap me from the hospital, to humiliate me!"

She choked back a sob. "She said I’m filthy, that I don’t deserve you. She threw the food I made for you on the floor—laughed at me! And then she hit me!"

Her voice cracked. "She’s terrifying, Alexander!"

As her accusations spilled out, Alexander’s gaze shifted past her.

His eyes locked onto Vivian standing in the light.

Worry flickered across his face.

He pushed Victoria aside and strode toward Vivian.

"Vivian," he said, his voice low. "What happened?"