Chapter 98

Dressed in a burgundy velvet suit and a black lace camisole, Vivienne projected both professional competence and subtle allure. Her hair, casually twisted into a bun with playful wisps framing her face, lent an air of relaxed elegance. With each step, she exuded pride and purpose; her every action resonated with a powerful presence. This aura, cultivated over time, gave her an effortless command of her surroundings.

Natalie found Vivienne's self-assurance intolerable, as if the world held no claim on her attention. She wondered how a woman of such modest beginnings could display such audacity. Quickly masking her disdain, Natalie offered a forced smile. "It's been too long, Vivienne."

Vivienne gave her a blank stare. "Still making the same old mistakes, I see."

Natalie's eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "Is there no room for forgiveness, Vivienne?"

As Natalie reached out, Vivienne smoothly evaded her grasp and continued toward Everett's room. Diana bristled. "Vivienne, can't you see? How can you ignore the elders?"

A cold smirk played on Vivienne's lips as her eyes swept the room, chilling everyone. "Respect is earned by those who genuinely nurture others. Are any of you truly worthy?" Her past encounters with them had been harmful; their actions, though cloaked in refinement and nobility, were disgraceful and unethical. It was mercy enough that she hadn't sought revenge. The expectation that she would grovel was pure fantasy.

"All dressed up and dismissive as ever," a woman in a purple dress sneered, her tone heavy with sarcasm. "I guess you think you're better than the rest of us now that you've found a stronger backer." Warren's aunt, once renowned for her beauty, now bore the sharp lines of bitterness etched by age. She had frequently belittled Vivienne during her time with the Mitchell family, her disdain only intensifying after Vivienne's departure.

The large gathering inevitably brewed drama, and the swirling gossip threatened to drown Vivienne in criticism.

"Strutting around like a peacock, have you forgotten your humble beginnings?"

"Had Warren not brought you into our family, who knows where you'd be? Now you look down on us? How ungrateful can you be?"

Vivienne laughed, her eyes remaining cold. "You think you're qualified to lecture me on gratitude? Have you forgotten that without my intervention, the Mitchell family would have faced ruin? Now, tell me who's being ungrateful?"

"How dare you!" Melissa exclaimed, slamming her fist on the table. "Do you think this is the place for your careless behavior?"

Vivienne met her gaze with a smirk. "Whether you permit it or not, I've acted this way before. What's one more instance?"

Melissa's sneer was sharp. "You publicly humiliated Natalie, and now you disrupt the peace. Is this your way of admitting defeat in joining our family, by causing chaos?"

Vivienne arched an eyebrow, her eyes sweeping the room. The delight in their expressions was unmistakable. They weren't here for idle chatter; they were here to hold her accountable. Her face remained impassive, betraying only a slight, sardonic lift of her eyebrows. They excelled at using their positions to judge and criticize. In the past, she endured it for Warren. Now, there was nothing to stop her.