Chapter 109

Diana's head snapped up, her wide eyes locking on Vivienne with a mixture of shock and disbelief. Vivienne's expression was cool and unyielding, her lips curving into a faint, almost ruthless smile that sent a shiver down Diana's spine. Diana's heart hammered in her chest. Without thinking, she took a step back, her fingers clinging tightly to Melissa's arm. Her voice wavered as she stammered, "Vivienne… what are you trying to do? This is the Mitchell family's home!"

Vivienne tilted her head slightly, her smile widening imperceptibly, intensifying Diana's unease. "Precisely, Miss Mitchell. Because this is the Mitchell residence, it's all the more important for you to keep your word. Breaking your promise will not only tarnish your name, but also make the entire Mitchell family appear unreliable."

Diana's chest tightened. Regret churned within her, but what good was it now? Every pair of eyes in the room bored into her, expectant and unwavering. The weight of their judgment felt suffocating, as if they wouldn't release her until she knelt and apologized.

This pressure ignited a spark of defiance. Her lips trembled as she glared at Vivienne, her voice rising in desperation. "You think I'll believe you simply because you say so? What proof do we have that this old man isn't someone you brought in to support your lies? Perhaps this entire thing was staged!"

The room fell silent, a collective gasp palpable as everyone stared at Diana. Her audacity left them speechless. Melissa's face tensed, and she opened her mouth to reprimand her daughter, but before she could speak, Everett's voice boomed, sharp and unrelenting: "Diana, enough!"

His words silenced the room. Given Steve's revered position in Lyhaton, even the Mitchell family dared not offend him. Diana's outburst was reckless. Panic rose in her throat, her composure crumbling as tears welled in her eyes. "Grandpa, I…" Her voice cracked, and she bit her lip, feeling helpless and humiliated.

Melissa gently placed her hand over Diana's trembling fingers, offering a reassuring pat. Her quiet gesture urged Diana to calm down, though her own face betrayed her dismay. She then turned to Vivienne, her tone firm and laced with anger. "Vivienne, if you already knew the pen holder was authentic, why didn't you simply say so? Did you orchestrate all this just to humiliate Diana?"

Vivienne let out a soft laugh, the sound tinged with amusement. "Would you have believed me if I had?" she asked, her tone smooth yet cutting. "From the beginning, your family has done nothing but make life difficult for me. Diana demanded I kneel and apologize; Diana made the bet. And now, when things don't go your way, you blame me?"

Natalie's calm, conciliatory voice intervened before Melissa could respond. "Diana is young, impulsive, and acted out of emotion. Please, have some compassion and forgive her."

"Why should I be forgiving?" Vivienne's voice was sharp, her smile cold. "We each have one life. I choose to hold grudges, to be petty, and I believe in fair retribution."

Warren, unable to remain silent, added with a disapproving frown, "Vivienne, I never thought you'd become this way. You were distant, but warm-hearted, always considering the greater good. Now, you're selfish and reckless, without regard for consequences—"

"Enough!" Vivienne snapped, her voice low and simmering with fury. Her sharp gaze pinned Warren in place. "You, of all people, should be silent! Where were you when I was cornered? When I had no choice but to make this bet? Now you want to play the hero? It's too late. I don't want to hear another word from any of you! A bet is a bet, Diana. Kneel!"

Her command rang through the room, clear and authoritative, cutting through the tension with chilling precision. Diana's eyes burned with fury as she glared at Vivienne, hissing, "I won't kneel! You wretched woman, I'll fight you!"

Vivienne's eyes flickered with a sudden, dangerous coldness, her expression…