Chapter 438

"I'll leave a glimmer of hope for you this winter—for Grandfather and Ethan."

"Consider this my last act of mercy."

Two days later, the crisis at Blackwood Enterprises had only worsened. Stocks plummeted, rumors swirled about impending bankruptcy, and yet Alexander remained eerily composed.

Instead of panicking, he brought Vivian back to Blackwood Estate for dinner.

The meal was tense. Alexander’s phone buzzed incessantly until he finally excused himself to take a call. His mother, Margaret, slammed her fork down in frustration.

"Aunt Margaret, what's wrong?" Sophia asked, feigning concern.

"What else could be wrong?" Margaret snapped. "The company is collapsing, and everything is happening at once!"

"Don’t worry," Sophia simpered. "Alexander can handle anything."

Margaret scoffed. "You think this is just about business? ZF is involved. There will be consequences."

Her glare shifted to Vivian, who was calmly eating as if nothing were wrong.

"Vivian," Margaret sneered, "what kind of wife are you? Your husband is drowning in work, and you’re stuffing your face without a care. If Blackwood Enterprises falls, you’ll suffer too!"

Vivian smirked. "I won’t. I have my own company. I don’t need a man to survive."

Margaret’s face darkened.

Sophia jumped in. "How can you be so heartless? If you don’t know how to be Alexander’s wife, just divorce him already."

Vivian’s eyes flicked up, cold and amused. "Why? So you can take my place? Even if I leave, he’ll never look at you."

Sophia flushed. "I—I only admire him! I’m not as twisted as you!"

"You tell yourself that." Vivian reached for another bite.

Margaret slapped her hand away. "Still eating? You’re useless! If you were half the woman you pretend to be, you’d be helping him!"

Vivian’s fork clattered onto the table. The sharp sound made both women flinch.

Her gaze turned glacial. "You keep calling Evelyn a monster. What did she ever do to you?"

Margaret gaped.

"Your son tortured her because of Victoria. Now that the truth is out, you feel no remorse? Do you think you’re better than her just because you’re her mother-in-law?"

Margaret sputtered. "How dare you speak to me like that?"

Vivian smirked. "I’m not your servant. And soon, you won’t be able to speak to me like this either."

Margaret paled.

Alexander returned, sensing the tension.

Margaret immediately pointed at Vivian. "Alexander! This woman is out of control! She yelled at me—disrespected me!"

Sophia nodded eagerly. "She even insulted you! Said you made Evelyn suffer, but Evelyn deserved to die!"

Vivian’s fingers curled around her glass.

The air turned deadly.