Chapter 287: Was There Any Way Out of This?
Vivienne maintained perfect composure as she met Natalie’s gaze, her voice carrying an edge of ice. “The Chambers family’s factories have been closing one by one since that unfortunate tax scandal, yet here you are, spending so lavishly. Perhaps the whispers about your family’s financial troubles are mistaken. No doubt the Chambers empire will soon reclaim its former glory.” Sarcasm dripped from every carefully chosen word.
Natalie’s eyes hardened to steel as her fingers curled into tight fists, her manicured nails biting into her palms. The pain barely registered through her rising anger. Everything had unraveled since Bryson’s questioning, forcing him to make devastating choices for their business’s survival. He had attributed his departure to health concerns, but Vivienne’s pointed remarks were now stoking the flames of suspicion around their family’s predicament.
The realization of Vivienne’s calculated malice struck Natalie like a physical blow. This explained the subtle rivalry Vivienne had cultivated—she had been waiting for the perfect moment to tarnish the Chambers name. A difficult choice lay before Natalie: withdrawing would validate the rumors, but continuing the bid presented its own challenges. Her personal finances amounted to just over twenty million, portions of which were already designated for the upcoming charity event. While she had hoped to make a statement at the charity event, Vivienne’s interference had derailed those plans entirely. The bidding had already surpassed the suit’s actual worth, making further increases financially reckless.
Natalie observed Vivienne carefully, searching for cracks in her adversary’s impassive facade. Was this composed exterior genuine, or merely a masterful performance?
JANW’s mind raced, her eyes soothingly fixed on her bottom lip. We thank my way out of this without losing face? If she backed down, the and Rite would be forced to kneel before Vivienne and apologize. Worse still, they’d have to perform a pole dance in the middle of Modern Square. The very thought made Leath’s stomach twist with humiliation. Her jaw tightened. Then, with steely resolve, she declared, “Ten million.”
In test’s eyes, Contine was nothing more than a woman propped up by a wealthy benefactor. And just how deep could a man’s pockets really be when he was spending on someone is ben… Vivienne’s eyebrow arched ever so slightly, her sharp gaze flickering to Natalie. There was something almost amused in her eyes, though it was laced with an undeniable mockery.
Diana interjected with false generosity, “Vivienne, let’s be frank. This suit belongs to Natalie—you can’t compete. We’ll overlook your presumption out of respect for old times. Just kneel, apologize, and perhaps bark like a dog. We’ll consider the matter settled.” Her tone was light, almost magnanimous, as if they were offering an olive branch. But Vivienne knew the truth—this was nothing more than a power play dressed in silk. Seizing upon Vivienne’s silence, Natalie pressed her advantage. “Miss Hayes, you’re surviving in Lyhaton solely through male patronage. I almost pity your situation. Why sacrifice everything over a single suit when I’m offering you an easy way out?” Her barbed words hung in the air, their calculated cruelty impossible to dismiss.