Chapter 201: Spare Me the Apologies
Everett gave his son a weary smile, saying, “It seems time has finally overtaken me…” His life’s long list of achievements now seemed trivial compared to how a young woman had cleverly outplayed him.
“Everett, what’s our plan?” Melissa broke her stunned silence, her face marked by desperation as she turned toward him.
Everett met her anxious look with calm resolve. “We’re clearly in the wrong. Our best move is to sincerely apologize and seek forgiveness.”
Upon hearing this, Harrison and Melissa exchanged a concerned glance. Would Vivienne ever accept an apology from the Mitchell family? No, she wouldn’t! The Mitchell family already knew that all too well. However, they understood the importance of at least offering an apology to salvage their standing in the public eye, regardless of her response.
Everett wasn’t the only one to grasp this; Warren recognized it too. Vivienne had deftly placed the Mitchell family under a public microscope with her calculated reveal of the photos and her ensuing dramatic act. She had successfully cast Warren as the villain. Warren, fully aware of Vivienne’s strategic acumen, had hoped that their shared history would temper her actions. He was unprepared for her to proceed with such calculated coldness.
Rising to his feet with Natalie in his arms, Warren took a moment before addressing Vivienne, saying, “I’m sorry.” Vivienne watched him, her expression unreadable as she waited for him to elaborate.
“I am responsible. I caused you pain and also hurt Natalie indirectly. I am willing to do whatever it takes to make amends,” Warren said earnestly. Yet, his words seemed to leave no impression on Vivienne.
She stood silently, formidable yet composed, like a dispassionate spectator watching a struggle unfold with clinical detachment. She casually said, “You’ve already committed the actions you’re apologizing for, so spare me the apologies.”
“Miss Hayes, despite your feelings toward me, must you seek vengeance in such a manner? Since your separation from Warren, it seems you’ve orchestrated everything leading to this moment as retribution. But consider, is this just toward Everett or Warren? They’ve been earnestly trying to reconcile with you…” Natalie’s voice broke with emotion as she subtly suggested that Vivienne was actually the one betraying their kindness.
“Am I not justified to feel resentful?” Vivienne confessed her bitterness, her lips curving into a frosty smile. “He lied to me, robbed me of three years, shattered all my future dreams! And you, knowing we were to be wed, still pursued him! You’ve earned this fate! You once deemed the Mitchell family beneath you, opting to study abroad. Now, seeing their success, you rush back to him! Why should I suffer while you reap the rewards?”
Vivienne’s assertive retort left Natalie stunned, her face draining of color. “Quite the scene, isn’t it? A side piece meddling in affairs yet daring to cast blame?” a sarcastic voice echoed from the audience. These remarks ignited whispers and murmurs.
“Meddling in affairs and still feeling righteous?”
“You have no fear of karma when doing shameless things, but you’re scared of being hated? What a joke!”
“You chose to be the other woman and yet dare to cast blame on others?”
In moments, Natalie was branded with the labels of “the other woman” and “opportunist.” Natalie’s face reddened with fury before turning deathly pale. She shot Vivienne a furious glare.