Chapter 196

With a deliberate pause and a commanding sweep of her gaze across the audience, she announced, “My name is Vivienne Hayes.”

Murmurs of surprise and intrigue rippled through the room. Vivienne Hayes was a name everyone recognized. She had single-handedly rescued the Mitchell Group, restoring it to its former glory. In three years, her bold strategies had overcome numerous obstacles, catapulting it to prominence in Lyhaton.

Whispers filled the air: “Ah, so this is the famed Vivienne Hayes.” “Would the Mitchell Group shine so brightly without her?” “Rumor has it she and Mr. Warren Mitchell made quite a team, though I just saw him with Miss Chambers…” “Made quite a team? It was just a story the Mitchell Group created to charm the public. They only cared about Vivienne’s abilities. Once they were stable, they discarded her.” “The wedding incident was a disaster. Warren left her stranded at the altar! What a humiliation!” “Unbelievable! I didn’t think the Mitchell family could be so ungrateful.”

The term “ungrateful” echoed through the banquet hall. Vivienne’s competence and assertiveness earned her admiration, yet the compliments felt like subtle jabs at Warren’s shortcomings. Melissa’s cheeks flushed with anger, and Everett visibly struggled to maintain composure. Warren’s expression hardened as he watched Vivienne command the stage. Despite his loathing for her, he was determined to prevent her from jeopardizing the Mitchell family’s reputation during their anniversary celebration. He resolved to intervene, intending to escort her away.

Just as he moved to approach, a firm grip on his wrist stopped him. He turned to see Melissa. “Mom, what are you–”

“I’ve made some arrangements,” Melissa interrupted, her eyes gleaming with determination as she watched Vivienne. Over the past three years, Melissa had come to understand Vivienne’s assertive and independent spirit. How could someone of Vivienne's temperament tolerate manipulation? Melissa had therefore devised alternative strategies.

Then, a voice from the crowd cut through the tension: “I heard they hadn’t even held a formal engagement party, and there was no proposal. Without even basic ceremonies, how can she claim to be a fiancée? Also, rumors suggest Miss Hayes disappeared just before her wedding, but the Mitchell family hid this to protect her. They have been exceedingly generous!”

Uncertainty clouded the crowd’s expressions. Disdain and judgment replaced the earlier admiration, directed at Vivienne. “She seems to misunderstand her position.” “I believed she was a modest, honorable woman. Turns out, she’s brought disgrace.” “It appears she was the first to disregard Warren’s good intentions.”

Vivienne remained silent on stage, her tall, slim figure radiating poise. Her gaze locked onto a shadowy figure in the crowd, her eyes flickering with barely suppressed intensity. Few knew about her abduction. It was a dark secret she’d hoped to bury forever; a secret Warren had vowed would never surface. Yet, Diana had taunted her with it, Melissa used it as leverage, and now the Mitchell family wielded it to manipulate public opinion.