Chapter 200: She Had Meant Every Word

Natalie’s glare cut through Vivienne, her body trembling with fury. Her clenched teeth barely held back the venom brewing inside her. The cold glint in her eyes was as sharp and lethal as a snake poised to strike.

Before the tension could settle, a voice rang out from the crowd. “Isn’t it obvious? They used you! A woman blinded by love is easy to control. Otherwise, why else would you work yourself to the bone for the Mitchell family, only to be tossed aside like nothing? Talk about a profitable business model.”

Vivienne’s eyes flickered toward Sienna, hidden among the guests. A faint smile tugged at her lips.

The remark struck a nerve, sending ripples through the once-silent crowd. What followed was a chorus of biting commentary, each voice laced with scorn.

“Funny how Miss Hayes was never once acknowledged at Mitchell Group’s past celebrations, and now, out of nowhere, they bring her in—just to cover up for Warren and Natalie. Absolutely shameless.”

“They stooped so low, preying on Miss Hayes’s emotions just to get what they wanted. Good thing she got out early. Otherwise, they would’ve bled her dry.”

“She gave everything for that family—stood by them, worked tirelessly—only to be discarded when it suited them. If that isn’t cruel, I don’t know what is.”

“A real man would step up and take responsibility, but Warren Mitchell? He lets an unarmed woman take the hit while he cowers in the background. What kind of self-righteous coward does that?”

With each scathing remark, the tide of public opinion shifted. Sympathy gathered like a storm, and all of it was for Vivienne—the woman wronged, deceived, and cast aside.

Melissa’s jaw tightened, her gaze locking onto Vivienne with an icy glint. This wasn’t the outcome she had orchestrated. She had been so sure her plan was airtight—that Vivienne would have no choice but to submit. Yet, here they were. Not only had Vivienne managed to twist the narrative in her favor, but she had also dragged the entire Mitchell family’s reputation through the mud.

It seemed that Vivienne had made up her mind—she would see the Mitchell family fall. The sheer cruelty of her intent was chilling.

Everett stood off to the side, his gaze piercing despite the cloudiness in his aging eyes. Vivienne hadn’t come here unprepared. That much was obvious. Agreeing to Melissa’s demand for an explanation had been nothing more than a calculated opening move. Those photos, that damning audio—none of it could have surfaced so swiftly without skillful maneuvering.

And the voices stirring public opinion? They weren’t mere onlookers. They were pieces of Vivienne’s strategy, placed precisely where she wanted them. The Mitchells had convinced themselves they were in control, but the moment Vivienne stepped into this room, they had unknowingly surrendered to her game.

Everett had always known she despised Warren—and by extension, the entire Mitchell family. Yet, he had clung to the belief that three years of history would still hold some weight, that she might leave them with something other than ruin. But he had misjudged her. He had failed to see just how merciless she could be. Then, her voice echoed in his mind—cool, resolute, unwavering—“Thank you for looking after me during those three years at the Mitchell family’s side. I’ll grant you one request. But after that, there will be no more ties between us.”

No more ties. She had meant every word.

A sudden heaviness settled over Everett, pressing into his bones like the weight of wasted efforts and broken calculations. And then, unexpectedly, a low chuckle escaped him.

“Dad…” Harrison’s voice was quiet but edged with unease as he studied him.