Chapter 7
She emphasized the word “really” with a piercing gaze that made Vanessa’s heart skip a beat. Yet, she quickly regained her composure, offering a casual smile.
“So what if I know? I am aware that Sebastian likes me, but I won’t agree to be with him. I’ll let him pine, always keeping me in his thoughts, watching the golden boy circle around me like a lost puppy. It’s amusing, isn’t it? Who else could manage that but me?”
“But I’m also aware of the saying that ‘pride comes before a fall, so I’m done playing. I’m planning to accept him now. Guess what? If I say yes to him, do you think he’d divorce you in a heartbeat and toss you aside like yesterday’s news?”
“Oh.”
Vivian absorbed the provocative words without a flicker of emotion, merely responding with a nonchalant “oh” before attempting to brush past Vanessa and leave.
Completely ignored, Vanessa was infuriated. She lifted her hand to grab Vivian, but Vivian was too quick, and instead, Vanessa only managed to snatch the necklace from her neck. She glanced at it with disdain before tossing it aside carelessly.
“Cheap trinket. What is this junk?”
A crackling sound caught Vivian’s attention. She turned to see her necklace fall into an outdoor barbecue pit, and her expression changed dramatically, panic flaring in her eyes.
Without a second thought, she dashed towards the fire. Ignoring the searing heat from the burning coals, she thrust her hand into the flames.
“Ma’am!”
The housekeeper cried out, trying to intervene, but it was too late. Even Vanessa, momentarily taken aback, shouted at Vivian.
“Are you crazy? It’s just a necklace!”
Amidst the chaos, Vivian managed to retrieve the necklace from the fire, but the pendant had lost its shape from the heat, its former luster now covered with a layer of soot, rendering it unrecognizable.
Tears cascaded down her cheeks, but she didn’t bother to wipe them away, consumed by regret and guilt. It was a gift from Lucian on her eighteenth birthday, now ruined beyond repair.
Gently, she packed away the damaged necklace, then walked over to Vanessa with a determined look. Before Vanessa could react, Vivian slapped her hard across the face.
“Whack!”
The slap landed with full force, and as Vanessa stared at her incredulously, Vivian’s fury was far from quenched; she struck her again, swift and decisive.
Dazed and furious, Vanessa was about to speak when Vivian slapped her once more.
Three slaps in total, yet Vivian still felt it wasn’t enough. Just as she was about to deliver another, Sebastian rushed out, shoving Vivian hard.
“Have you lost your mind?!”
His voice was a mix of shock and anger, his heart pounding as he rushed to check on Vanessa, not noticing Vivian staggering backward from his shove, falling straight into the deep pool behind her.
