Chapter 199: I Can’t Face Anyone Anymore

Vivienne stood a short distance away, her eyes carrying a glacial edge and her lips curved in the barest suggestion of a smile. Though her expression remained neutral, the sight ignited Natalie’s fury.

“It’s you!” The accusation tore from Natalie’s throat as she lunged forward like a woman possessed, her hand raised to strike.

Vivienne, having anticipated the attack, caught Natalie’s wrist in a swift motion. “Miss Chambers, mind your manners.” Her radiant smile never wavered as her clear eyes danced with mockery, her voice carrying an edge of aggressive indifference.

Recognition dawned across Natalie’s features as understanding crashed over her. Vivienne had orchestrated everything from the beginning, never intending mercy for either the Mitchell family or Natalie herself. Vivienne’s plan encompassed not only the destruction of the Mitchells but her complete ruination.

Hatred blazed in Natalie’s eyes as she glared at her adversary, murderous thoughts racing through her mind.

“You vile, scheming woman!” She launched herself forward again, fingers curved like claws aimed at Vivienne’s face.

The sharp crack of palm meeting flesh echoed through the room. Vivienne’s strike caught Natalie off-guard, snapping her head to the side. Before she could recover, Vivienne seized her hair and delivered another stinging blow.

“This slap is for your insolence and repeated disrespect.” The words had barely left her lips before she administered a third devastating strike. “This slap is for ignoring my warnings time and again.”

Natalie barely had time to register the burning pain before her knees buckled. She crumpled to the floor, her carefully styled hair now a tangled mess, her vision swimming from the blows.

For a moment, she just sat there, pressing shaky hands to her swollen face, eyes wide with disbelief. “You—” her voice wavered, thick with humiliation. “How dare you hit me!”

Vivienne flexed her slightly numbed fingers and smiled as if amused by the question. “Why wouldn’t I?” she replied lightly.

“You bitch! I’ll kill you!” Natalie shrieked, scrambling to her feet. But in her haste, the hem of her gown caught on her heel. With a graceless stumble, she fell flat on her face with a loud thud.

Vivienne tilted her head, looking down at Natalie with an expression of pure disdain. “I heard you’re planning a comeback in the entertainment industry,” she mused. “Well, Miss Chambers, consider this your grand reintroduction to the public.”

Warren emerged from the crowd, gathering Natalie protectively in his arms. “Natalie, are you okay?”

“Warren, I can’t face anyone anymore.” Natalie collapsed against him, her sobs wracking her frame.

The weight of judgment in the room was suffocating. Around them, guests exchanged pointed looks, their murmurs thick with disdain. Human curiosity was a powerful thing—scandal even more so. And tonight, the media had been handed a golden story on a silver platter. Reporters swarmed, cameras flashing as they zeroed in on the trio at the center of it all—the jilted fiancée, the unfaithful lover, and the shameless side piece.

Vivienne lowered her gaze, watching Warren fuss over Natalie, his touch gentle, his voice full of tenderness—the kind he had never once shown her. But now, it no longer hurt her.

“Warren, you promised marriage once the company recovered, vowing lifelong love and devotion. For three years, we shared starlit nights and dreams, planned futures and debated life’s meanings. I believed we shared an unparalleled connection. Now I see myself as nothing but a fool in your manipulation.” A soft, bitter laugh escaped her as she ducked her head, brushing away invisible tears. “If your heart lay elsewhere, simple honesty would have sufficed. Why choose deception, leaving us both scarred by the aftermath?”