Chapter 320

Eleanor had always been willing to sacrifice everything for her daughter, but hearing Victoria's words twisted her heart with fresh anguish.

"Victoria, my darling, don't distress yourself." Eleanor's voice trembled with maternal fury. "I won't let anyone humiliate you like this! Let all of Willowbrook see Alexander Blackwood for what he truly is - the wealthiest man in town with the coldest heart. And this Vivian Prescott? Nothing but a scheming harlot!"

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

The revelation painted Vivian as the homewrecker who'd stolen Alexander from poor Victoria.

"Mother, please stop!" Victoria's tears fell like diamonds on her flushed cheeks. "This is all my fault. Alexander and Miss Vivian are innocent. Let's just leave!" Her fragile demeanor sparked immediate sympathy.

Murmurs of disapproval spread like wildfire. To the uninformed guests, Vivian appeared every bit the villainous other woman.

Alexander felt the shifting atmosphere. His protective instincts flared as he turned to Vivian. "Are you alright?" His fingers brushed her cheek with featherlight concern.

Vivian's lips curved into an unshaken smile. "A few petty insults won't break me." Her composed gaze swept across the hostile crowd before settling on Eleanor and Victoria. "Mrs. Kingsley, words and actions carry consequences. You've struck me and slandered me publicly. Don't I deserve an explanation?"

Her voice dropped to a dangerous purr. "Being falsely accused is my greatest pet peeve."

"Falsely accused?" Eleanor scoffed. "You're exactly what I called you - a conniving, heartless witch!"

"Mother, please!" Victoria clung to Eleanor, her body wracked with theatrical sobs. "We can't challenge them. I can't endure another scandal. Just remembering how they all turned against me..." She trailed off, secretly delighting in the growing outrage.

Eleanor embraced her daughter tighter, shooting daggers at Vivian. The crowd's murmurs grew venomous.

"Those rumors about Victoria being assaulted must be true after all."

"Did Vivian orchestrate the whole thing?"

"Beautiful face, black heart. How revolting."

"To think Alexander would abandon Victoria for such a creature."

Victoria hid her smirk in Eleanor's shoulder. Today would be Vivian's public undoing. Revenge tasted sweeter than she'd imagined.

Then the temperature seemed to drop.

"I warned you never to mention that incident again." Alexander's voice cut through the chatter like an arctic wind.

Victoria's blood ran cold.

"Alexander! How dare you threaten Victoria?" Eleanor shrieked. "After everything she's suffered because of that witch? You should be demanding justice, not protecting her perpetrator!"

Alexander's expression darkened. "Vivian had nothing to do with that night. Drop these baseless accusations." His glacial stare pinned Victoria in place. "This ends now."

"The hell it does!" Eleanor spat. "I'm calling the police! Vivian will pay for what she's done!"

"Actually," Vivian's voice sliced through the tension, "I can't allow this charade to continue." She met Alexander's worried gaze. "I won't let Victoria manipulate everyone - or tarnish your reputation any longer. The truth needs to come out tonight."