Chapter 52: Just a Joke
Natalie crept up behind Vivienne and shoved her hard onto the road. The sudden shove took Vivienne completely off guard. She stumbled into the traffic lane, the force of the push carrying her into the path of a speeding car.
The screech of tires and a blaring horn jolted her as the vehicle swerved, narrowly missing her. A gust of wind from the passing car nearly knocked her off her feet. Everything happened so fast that she was momentarily frozen, her mind struggling to catch up.
The driver, his voice furious, shouted from his lowered window, “If you’re trying to get yourself killed, do it somewhere else! Don’t make your problem mine!”
Vivienne stood pale, her fingers twitching as the adrenaline subsided, leaving her shaky. Only after the car disappeared did she regain her composure, taking a shaky breath.
She turned to see Natalie standing near the sidewalk, a smile playing on her lips—a smile Vivienne knew masked anything but innocence. A dark cloud settled over Vivienne’s expression; her eyes narrowed, a cold resolve hardening her features. Her hands clenched into fists, trembling with controlled fury.
Had the car not swerved, she might have been severely injured. She’d grown weary of Natalie’s petty schemes, but Natalie seemed intent on pushing her to the brink.
Vivienne smoothly unbuttoned her jacket, the movement deliberate and laced with danger. She advanced toward Natalie, a chilling aura surrounding her.
Natalie’s eyes widened in feigned innocence. "Vivienne, it was just a joke," she said softly, yet cuttingly.
A sharp slap silenced her. Natalie’s head snapped to the side, her cheek stinging. Before she could react, Vivienne struck her again with equal force.
Vivienne didn't hold back. The blows landed with such ferocity that Natalie’s face swelled, reddening and tender. A trickle of blood appeared at the corner of her mouth.
Natalie had assumed Vivienne would cower before the influence of the Mitchell and Brugess families. Without support, Vivienne seemed easily crushed. But Natalie hadn't anticipated such a bold retaliation, especially in public.
"Vivienne, it was just a joke! Why are you taking it so seriously?" Natalie stammered, her voice shaky. She hesitated, her public image weighing heavily on her mind. Raising trembling hands to her face, she tried to appear pitiful, her eyes pleading with tears.
Vivienne smirked, her voice icy. “Oh, a joke, was it? Then let me join in the fun!”
Before Natalie could react, Vivienne grabbed her hair and yanked her off the ground. Natalie gasped in pain, shrieking hysterically, "Vivienne, stop! What are you doing? Let me go!"
Her cries were cut short by a sharp crack. The sound echoed, making bystanders flinch. Natalie’s arm hung limply, seemingly dislocated. The realization washed over her like nausea.
Vivienne’s expression hardened. "I warned you not to mess with me. But you just couldn't help yourself, could you?"
Natalie collapsed, trembling from pain. Her face was ghostly pale, cold sweat beading on her temples. Gritting her teeth, she glared at Vivienne, hatred burning in her red-rimmed eyes. "Vivienne, you're a monster!"
Vivienne tilted her head, feigning surprise. "A monster? No, Natalie, I think I was too kind."
"Vivienne, what are you doing!" Warren's voice boomed, cutting through the tension. He rushed forward, seizing Vivienne's wrist. His eyes blazed with anger. "Natalie came to you with good intentions! And this is how you treat her?"