Chapter 394

A mischievous glint danced in Evelyn's eyes as her lips curved into a sly smile.

Just as Margaret was about to take her seat, Evelyn clutched her chest dramatically, pretending to gag.

All eyes immediately turned to Evelyn while Alexander rushed to her side with concern. "Are you feeling unwell, Vivian?"

"The smell...it's making me nauseous," Evelyn murmured weakly, "Perhaps it's the soup, Alexander. I think I might be sick."

Margaret's face darkened instantly. That soup was her signature dish, packed with nutrients and her personal favorite.

Yet this woman dared to call it foul?

"Remove the soup immediately," Alexander commanded.

The maid hesitated before nodding obediently.

"Wait!" Margaret snapped. "What exactly are you implying, Vivian? If my cooking disgusts you so much, you're welcome to leave! This deliberate performance is utterly ridiculous!"

"Vivian's pregnant," Alexander stated firmly. "Morning sickness is perfectly normal. If the aroma bothers her, we'll eliminate it."

Margaret could only glare at Evelyn, rendered speechless.

Evelyn met Margaret's furious gaze with mocking amusement, raising a challenging eyebrow.

Dinner concluded abruptly as Evelyn pretended to gag at every dish Alexander served her after a few bites.

With each exaggerated reaction, Margaret's expression grew stormier.

Mr. Blackwood excused himself to make a phone call while Alexander went to prepare something special for Evelyn since she'd barely eaten.

Left alone in the parlor, Evelyn and Margaret engaged in silent warfare.

When a maid brought dessert, Evelyn pushed the plate away with visible disgust, opting to check her phone instead.

Seeing Alexander still occupied, Margaret finally exploded. "You're deliberately humiliating me, aren't you Vivian? First refusing my cooking, now this childish display! What's your game?"

Evelyn looked up slowly. "What if I am?"

Margaret blinked, stunned by the blunt admission.

"You—"

"Your food was bland and smelled revolting. I barely kept my composure because Alexander was present. In a restaurant, I would've sent it back immediately."

"How dare you insult my culinary skills!"

"Skills?" Evelyn sniffed the dessert before flinging it onto the coffee table, "accidentally" knocking over a teacup that splashed onto Margaret's designer dress.

Margaret gasped, jumping up to point an accusing finger. "Have you lost your mind, Vivian? I knew you were trouble the moment I saw you, with that face resembling that wretched Evelyn Sinclair! But you're even more despicable than she was!"

When Evelyn remained impassive, Margaret grabbed her wrist viciously. "Listen carefully, Vivian Prescott. If you want to marry into the Blackwood family, you'll show proper respect to your future mother-in-law. Cross me, and I'll ensure you meet the same fate as that Sinclair woman. Understood?"

Evelyn glanced at the hand gripping her wrist, then slowly rose to her full height with a dangerous smile curling her lips...