Chapter 55

Margaret let out a derisive laugh as she looked Vivian up and down. "Nathaniel wouldn't even lay a finger on you. How could you possibly be pregnant? You're just draining our family's resources."

The venom in Margaret's words made Vivian's fists clench instinctively. She was about to retaliate when Sophia stepped forward, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Funny coming from you. One son dead, the other cheating. If I were you, I'd be questioning my parenting skills. Aren't you worried karma will bite your grandchildren for your poisonous tongue?"

Before the divorce, Sophia had stayed out of their family drama. But now that Vivian was leaving, she wasn't holding back.

Margaret's face turned ashen with rage. She pointed a shaking finger at Sophia. "You—"

Seeing an opportunity to curry favor, Cassandra quickly inserted herself between them. "Miss Osborne, you shouldn't speak to your elders like that. Even if you're upset, there's no need for such disrespect."

Sophia saw red.

She'd tried to stay civil, but enough was enough. Her hand flew out, connecting with Cassandra's cheek in a sharp crack.

The sound echoed through the room, leaving both Cassandra and Margaret stunned. Margaret never expected meek Vivian to have such a fiery friend.

She turned to Vivian, demanding, "Are you just going to stand there? Make your friend apologize immediately, or there will be consequences!"

Vivian remained calm. "You're the one who should apologize. I'm more concerned about my friend's hand—that face must be painfully thick from all the shamelessness."

"What?!" Margaret shrieked.

Realizing Vivian wouldn't comply, Margaret decided to take action herself. Her hand shot up to strike Sophia, but Vivian intercepted it mid-air.

"Miss Whitmore," Vivian said coldly, "sneak attacks are beneath you."

Margaret froze at the icy glint in Vivian's eyes—so different from the docile woman she'd known.

Suddenly, Cassandra collapsed dramatically onto the floor, clutching her stomach. "Oh! The pain!"

"What's going on here?" Nathaniel's deep voice cut through the tension as he entered, his handsome features dark with displeasure.

Margaret immediately became emboldened. "Nathaniel! Thank goodness you're here. These two were about to assault us! You need to teach them a lesson!"

Ignoring his mother, Nathaniel rushed to Cassandra's side. "Are you hurt? Should I call a doctor?"

Cassandra, who'd been faking, quickly demurred. "I'm fine... just a slap. It didn't affect the baby. I just need to rest."

Seeing the red mark on her face, Nathaniel's expression turned glacial.

His piercing gaze locked onto Vivian. "Care to explain yourself?" The steel in his voice could cut glass.