Chapter 16

Vivienne let out a mocking smile. “Who do you think you are to come here and accuse me?”

“How dare you!” Melissa spat, her lips curling into a venomous sneer. “I’ve encountered women like you before. Playing the sweet, understanding woman in front of Warren, but now that marrying into a rich family is out of reach, you’re finally revealing your true nature!”

“The only one who can control me is myself,” Vivienne retorted, her lips curving into a faint, almost mocking smile, while her eyes, cold as ice, remained unyielding. “The Mitchell family doesn’t even deserve a fraction of my time or energy.”

If she hadn’t fallen for Warren, why would she have bothered hiding her true strength and becoming entangled in the Mitchells’ crumbling world? For a family teetering on the brink of bankruptcy? Or for the meaningless title of Mrs. Mitchell?

Having severed all ties with Warren, the Mitchell family no longer held any sway over her, nor could it ever bind her again.

“Don’t deceive yourself!” Diana cried, clutching her swollen cheek, her eyes blazing with fury as she glared at Vivienne. “You latched onto my brother, made him promise to marry you within three years. Wasn’t it all just for our family’s wealth?”

Vivienne’s lips curled into a sneer, her gaze cold as ice. “The Mitchell family’s wealth? I’m curious what was left of that back then. A pile of debt? Or mortgaged assets?”

“Nonsense!” Diana’s neck stiffened, her teeth grinding as she glared fiercely at Vivienne. “Stop wasting our time. If you know what’s good for you, kneel and apologize!”

Vivienne’s gaze flicked to Diana’s swollen cheek. Her voice was indifferent. “An apology? Not happening. But I could help you even out that face of yours.”

Melissa’s expression darkened, her eyes flashing with cold fury as she glared at Vivienne. “Vivienne, don’t push it!”

“Me, pushing it?” Vivienne laughed, as if hearing a ridiculous joke. “When the Mitchell family was on the brink of bankruptcy, it was I who helped with strategies and secured investments. The success you’re enjoying now? That’s all thanks to me! And this is how you repay me?”

It was a fact Melissa couldn’t deny, but it was also the painful truth she wished would stay buried. For a family to rely on a girl from humble beginnings to turn things around… it would be a public disgrace if word ever got out.

Melissa took a deep breath, her rage simmering beneath the surface. She pulled a bank card from her purse, her fingers curling around it with an air of superiority. “There’s a million in it for you.”

Vivienne glanced at Melissa but made no move to take the card. Melissa placed the card on the table beside her.

Despite her heels and taller frame, when their gazes locked, it felt as though Vivienne cast a shadow over her, an undeniable aura of dominance filling the room. It made Melissa’s skin crawl.

“You’ve been by Warren’s side for years, and I’ve seen it all,” Melissa said, lifting her chin, her posture oozing superiority. “But feelings are feelings, and gratitude is gratitude. They’re not the same thing. Now that you’ve broken up with Warren, there’s no reason for any further entanglements. Take this money as compensation, and from now on, the Mitchell family owes you nothing.”

“Owes me nothing?” Vivienne’s chuckle was low and dark, the smile on her lips cold as ice. “What the Mitchell family owes me is far beyond a million.”

Melissa’s eyes narrowed, a smirk tugging at her lips as she studied Vivienne with a look that seemed to have anticipated Vivienne demanding more. She said disdainfully, “So, what’s your price?”

Vivienne’s laugh was sharp and cruel. “If I were to name my price, it would be to watch the Mitchell family crumble right back to the edge of bankruptcy.”

“Vivienne Hayes!” Melissa’s voice sliced through the air, icy and lethal. The Mitchell Group had just begun to recover, and Vivienne’s curse was one Melissa could never allow.

Without a second thought, Melissa raised her hand, aiming to slap Vivienne’s face with all the force she could muster.