Chapter 208: Not My Fault

“Test my claim if you doubt it,” Derek said, his voice even, betraying no emotion, yet the underlying threat was unmistakable.

Melissa’s face changed dramatically, her posture tensing in disbelief.

Watching the Mitchells fume in silence, Milo smirked and said, “All talk, no action.”

This comment made the expressions of the Mitchell family and their relatives change drastically.

Vivienne gently tightened her grip on Derek’s hand, signaling her disapproval with a slight shake of her head.

Derek got the message: Vivienne wasn’t showing mercy to the Mitchells; she was worried about the repercussions for him.

He tenderly stroked her cheek, reassuring her, “Your concerns are always my concerns.”

“I get it,” Vivienne replied.

Once Derek and Vivienne had moved away, Milo and his entourage of men in black also exited, noticeably lightening the tense air.

Feeling wronged, Melissa immediately reached for her phone to call Warren, who had left with Natalie. “Son, an awful incident happened. Your sister was assaulted…”

Vivienne accompanied Derek to the underground parking lot.

Settled in the car, Vivienne turned to Derek. “Maybe you should rest a bit?”

She had noticed the signs of exhaustion lining his forehead.

“Are you concerned about me?” Derek quirked an eyebrow, his gaze piercing as he looked at her.

As Vivienne caught the intensity of his stare, she intuitively sensed the direction their conversation was about to take.

Changing the conversation, she looked down. “What brought you back so unexpectedly?”

“I was concerned about you,” Derek replied, gently caressing Vivienne’s hand as if it were a delicate treasure. “You’ve been holding back against the Mitchell family to spare them some dignity. Though I don’t know the reasons behind your restraint, I can’t stand to watch you compromise yourself for their sake. Thankfully, you didn’t let your emotions cloud your judgment…”

Today, many labeled her as heartless and unfeeling, but Derek was the one who recognized her compassion.

Vivienne’s lips curved into a slight smile as she considered his words, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “And what if I had compromised?”

“They probably wouldn’t have left the hotel so easily,” Derek responded, his tone light but carrying a veiled threat.

“How they treated you before doesn’t make it right for them to take advantage of you now,” Derek added, his voice thick with earnestness. “Your gratitude to them shouldn’t be a tool for their personal gain.”

Vivienne’s smile dimmed a bit upon hearing this.

“Everett seemed different when I first met him among the Mitchells. He was kind, offering me hot milk on a rainy day, ensuring I had an umbrella, keeping the lights on for me at night, and even giving me presents at Christmas. Over those three years, he was the only one who didn’t judge me for my background. I appreciated him so much for that. Sadly, that appreciation turned out to be futile when pitted against profit.”

Maybe because her early years were marked by neglect, she deeply valued even the smallest acts of kindness and always felt compelled to reciprocate.

But when Everett exploited her gratitude for his own advantage, Vivienne understood that such sentiments had been devalued.

Taking a deep breath, she continued, “The downfall of the Mitchell family is not on me.”