Chapter 326

"Grandfather Blackwood, I know you have misconceptions about me, but—"

"Spare me your explanations. You know exactly what you've done."

Victoria Lancaster stood frozen, words failing her.

Suddenly, Margaret Dawson dropped to her knees with a thud. "Mr. Blackwood, this was entirely my doing. Victoria knew nothing about it until the last moment when she rushed to stop me."

Tears streamed down Margaret's face as she confessed. "That's why Victoria got injured. It's all my fault. I'm the one who caused this mess."

She slapped her own cheeks twice in dramatic remorse. "If you need someone to blame, blame me. Send me to prison if you must, but Victoria is innocent. She's suffered enough already. Alexander shouldn't break her heart again."

Eleanor Kingsley immediately pointed at Vivian Prescott. "Actually, this is all her fault!"

Just then, two figures appeared at the top of the grand staircase. Vivian's melodic voice floated down. "Mrs. Kingsley, what a devoted mother you are. With all evidence laid bare, you still defend your two-faced daughter."

Eleanor's face twisted in rage when she saw Vivian descending arm-in-arm with Alexander. "Vivian Prescott! If you hadn't stolen Victoria's fiancé, her adoptive mother would never have resorted to such measures! You're the despicable one here!"

"Despicable?" Vivian chuckled, stepping closer. "I find you rather pitiful, actually."

"Pitiful?" Eleanor's eyes bulged, her aristocratic composure crumbling.

"Vivian, whatever grudge you hold, take it out on me. Leave my mother alone." Victoria moved protectively in front of Eleanor, playing the dutiful daughter perfectly.

She turned pleading eyes to Alexander. "Alexander, I know you won't believe me no matter what I say. So let's pretend it was all my doing. Please don't punish my mother—she only acted out of love for me."

As Victoria begged for mercy, Margaret dramatically slapped herself again. "Victoria, I've failed you! Alexander, you must believe her. She's been kind-hearted since childhood—"

"Enough." Alexander's cold voice cut through the room. His icy gaze settled on Victoria. "I warned you not to push this matter. You've brought this upon yourself. Don't beg me—beg Vivian. Whether we pursue this legally depends entirely on her."

Victoria's face froze, her eyes burning with resentment. Margaret paled—beg Vivian? The thought revolted her. But jail terrified her more.

Then, to everyone's shock, Victoria knelt before Vivian.

"Victoria!" both women cried, rushing to pull her up, but she stubbornly remained.

Even Alexander looked surprised.

"Miss Lancaster, what's this?" Vivian feigned confusion. "Are you... begging me?"

Victoria lifted her tear-streaked face. "Yes. Miss Prescott, I beg you—don't press charges against my mother. She only acted for my sake. If you need vengeance, take it out on me alone. I'll accept full responsibility."

"How touching." Vivian sighed dramatically. "Miss Lancaster, such filial devotion. Even after your mother arranged for you to be humiliated by those men, you still kneel to beg for her. I'm genuinely moved."

Hope flickered across Victoria's face. Surely everyone would admire her sacrifice now. Not only might Margaret avoid jail, but her reputation would soar.

"Does this mean you'll drop the charges, Miss Prescott?" Victoria asked eagerly.

Vivian smiled deeply. "Since you're so noble, Miss Lancaster, I'll grant your wish. I won't pursue your mother... but you'll bear the full consequences yourself!"