Chapter 386

Alexander rushed to support a breathless Eleanor with tender concern. "What's wrong, Eleanor?"

Tears welled in Eleanor's bloodshot eyes as she clutched her aching chest. "I just discovered Victoria... She was never our daughter—"

"W-what do you mean?" William's face turned ashen.

A violent shudder ran through William's body as Eleanor recounted the entire revelation.

Together, they confronted Victoria again, but she remained obstinately silent, refusing to speak a word.

Margaret and Richard had seemingly vanished without a trace, leaving no clues behind.

The couple returned to their empty mansion, its vast halls now suffocating with unbearable silence.

Eleanor searched desperately through Victoria's room, finding only the gold pendant she'd commissioned years ago for their newborn.

The engraved name 'Sophia' remained clearly visible on the delicate jewelry.

The cheerful afternoon sunlight mocked the storm raging in Eleanor and William's hearts.

Eleanor's chest constricted painfully as tears cascaded down her cheeks in an unstoppable torrent.

Not even William's comforting embrace could stem her flood of sorrow.

Though equally devastated, William felt an unexpected glimmer of relief beneath his grief.

Relief that such a wicked woman wasn't truly their child. Relief that their real daughter still lived.

A sharp knock interrupted their anguish. "Sir, Madam," announced a maid. "Mr. Blackwood and Ms. Prescott have arrived."

Eleanor's head snapped up, her eyes burning with desperate hope. "Perhaps Vivian knows something."

She hastily wiped her tears and rushed downstairs, ignoring the sharp pain in her injured hand.

Vivian and Alexander entered the grand foyer to witness Eleanor's uncharacteristically disheveled descent, with William close behind.

What could possibly have happened?

Vivian exchanged a puzzled glance with Alexander before offering a polite smile. "We heard you'd been discharged, Mrs. Kingsley. Alexander and I came to check on you."

Eleanor immediately composed herself, smoothing her dress with practiced grace. "William told me you were my blood donor, Ms. Prescott. Thank you for saving my life."

Her gaze dropped in shame as she continued with startling candor.

"Yet I accused you of harassing Victoria and foolishly claimed I didn't need your blood."

Vivian's eyes widened at this unexpected confession.

Eleanor approached them with a fragile smile. "Please, Ms. Prescott, have a seat. I owe you an apology for yesterday's incident. I promise it won't happen again."

Vivian glanced at Alexander with quiet amusement. "With Alexander here, I doubt any danger could reach me."

As she settled onto the sofa, her sharp eyes immediately noticed the gold pendant in Eleanor's trembling hands.

One glance was all Vivian needed to recognize the heirloom—the same pendant her grandfather Henry had given her, bearing her birth name.

Her gaze traveled upward to Eleanor's exhausted face. The older woman's complexion looked sallow, her eyes swollen from recent tears.

Probably worried about Victoria, Vivian thought cynically.

"You seem upset about Victoria's situation, Mrs. Kingsley," Vivian remarked coolly. "Regardless of your opinion of me, I don't regret my actions. I'd do it all again without hesitation. Victoria earned every bit of her punishment."

To Vivian's shock, Eleanor let out a broken, self-deprecating laugh, fresh tears spilling over.

When Eleanor finally met her gaze, the raw anguish in those eyes stunned Vivian into silence. "I'm so sorry, Ms. Prescott. I was a fool to doubt you when you were only speaking the truth. Victoria... she truly isn't my daughter."