Chapter 329

"What kind of nonsense is this?" Eleanor glared at him. Given Frederick's temper, he never hesitated to punish anyone who disobeyed him. Was Julian Blackwood trying to get himself killed?

Julian shrugged casually. "I'm telling the truth—I was the one who let her go. Think about it. The password is so complex that only a Baldwin would know it. Vivian is just an ordinary woman. Even if she wanted to escape, she’d never crack it." He shot Vivian a knowing smirk.

"Ha!" Vivian avoided his gaze and forced an awkward laugh. She was grateful he took the blame, but his smugness made her want to smack him.

Julian turned to his family. "Look, we’ve already taken Ethan Blackwood’s wife. Locking up his mother too would be excessive. The Blackwoods are powerful—money means they can hire assassins from Berlin or Vienna if pushed too far. Let’s not escalate this. We need room to maneuver later."

"Well said!" Vivian couldn’t help but stand and clap. It was like Julian had voiced her exact thoughts.

The Baldwins were too arrogant, but Julian had traveled the world. He understood diplomacy.

Frederick’s expression darkened. "You’re undermining our family’s reputation to flatter our enemies. If we back down now, we look weak!"

"The Baldwins and Blackwoods are destined for war. I held back before because Vivian was with them. But now? There’s nothing stopping us."

Vivian wanted to bang her head on the table. Frederick was a warmonger. The three brothers had split years ago over this exact issue—their principles clashed, and the fallout had been brutal.

Compared to him, her grandfather and Alfred Blackwood had been pragmatic. They avoided unnecessary fights, which was why they’d left the military for business.

She knew Frederick wasn’t evil—just ruthless. Order came first, no matter the cost.

Beneath his grandfatherly smile was a man who’d crush anyone who crossed him. Dealing with him was like handling a live grenade.

Vivian treaded carefully. Provoking him meant disaster. Letting Ethan meet him? Even worse.

Neither option worked. So she chose a third.

"Let’s fight! We have to fight!" she declared suddenly, raising her fist with dramatic fervor.