Chapter 146

Margaret Whitmore's shrill voice cut through the tense air. "You divorced Nathaniel, yet you still cling to him like some desperate groupie. How dare you show your face at Blackwood Estate!"

Ethan Young opened his mouth to intervene, but Vivian Lockhart was faster. Her eyes flashed with cold fury. "Open your eyes, Eleanor. Your son's the one who can't let go. Maybe if you'd raised him better, he wouldn't be such a pathetic drunk."

Eleanor Whitmore's face turned purple with rage. "How dare—"

"I tolerated your insults when I was your daughter-in-law," Vivian continued, voice like shards of ice. "But now? One more word and I'll sue you for defamation."

She shoved against Nathaniel's chest, but his arms remained locked around her like steel bands. The man was infuriatingly strong for someone who could barely stand.

"Enough games, Nathaniel," she hissed, fist clenching. "Let go or I'll break your nose."

Across the room, Cassandra Delacroix dug her manicured nails into her palms. The sight of Nathaniel clinging to his ex-wife made her blood boil.

Ethan rushed to explain. "Mrs. Whitmore, Mr. Blackwood got drunk and refused to release Miss Lockhart. She came here out of concern—"

"Lies!" Eleanor whirled on Cassandra. "Stop gawking and help me separate them! Can't even keep your fiancé from his ex?"

Three servants rushed forward. After considerable struggle, they pried Nathaniel loose.

"Vivian...don't go..." Nathaniel slurred, reaching blindly. "Dangerous...come back..."

Cassandra seized her chance. She caught his swaying body and whispered, "I'm here, darling."

To Vivian's disgust, Nathaniel embraced Cassandra with the same drunken fervor. "Good...stay..."

Cassandra shot Vivian a triumphant smirk. "My apologies for the trouble. Nathaniel gets...affectionate when intoxicated. I'll take care of him."

Vivian's expression remained impassive, though something twisted in her chest. So much for being special. The great Nathaniel Blackwood would grope any warm body within reach.

"Control your man," she said coldly. "Next time he harasses me, I'm filing a restraining order."

Without another glance, she turned on her heel and walked out, the slam of the front door echoing like a gunshot.