Chapter 183

Victoria let out a sharp laugh. "Don't you dare use Gregory against me! Do you really think I'm afraid to tell you the truth? So what if I cheated on him? What does it matter to you if he's not Cassandra's real father? Do you honestly believe he'll take your word for it without proof? You know how much he adores us! He trusts every word we say, and even when he's angry, all it takes is a little sweet-talking to calm him down. If you accuse us without evidence, he'll just think you're trying to break us apart! Save your breath!"

"Oh? Is that so?" Evelyn's lips curved into a knowing smile as she turned toward the doorway. "Did you catch that, Dad? Aunt Victoria just confessed to cheating on you!"

Both Victoria and Cassandra froze, their faces draining of color as they stared at the entrance.

The door burst open with a crash. Gregory stormed in, his expression thunderous. "You filthy, lying whore!"

Cassandra immediately rushed forward, confident in her father's affection. "Daddy! Please don't be angry! Mom didn't mean what she said—"

Gregory shoved her away violently, sending her sprawling across the floor. "Get the hell away from me! You're probably not even my blood! Always going on about your 'special bond' with your godfather, weren't you? Go live with Vincent then! Don't you dare call me 'Daddy' again!"

Cassandra's voice trembled. "But Dad, I—"

Ignoring her, Gregory marched straight to Victoria and delivered a stinging slap across her face. "After everything I've given you, you still betrayed me!"

Victoria collapsed onto the ground, dazed. When she regained her senses, tears streamed down her face as she shook her head frantically. "No... I didn't! Gregory, I swear I never cheated! I only said those things because Evelyn provoked me!"

Gregory sneered. "Provoked you? Then tell me—weren't you and Vincent involved before we met?"

Victoria's mind raced. Knowing denial would be useless, she switched tactics, adopting a pitiful expression. "Yes... yes we were, but that was years before I met you! There's nothing between us now!"

"Then why would he suddenly become Cassandra's godfather? I bet she's his bastard child!"

"She's not! I swear I only said that to hurt Evelyn! Cassandra is yours! If you don't believe me, we can do a DNA test right now! Evelyn's just jealous of our happy family and wants to destroy it! Gregory, if you doubt me, I'd rather die!"

With dramatic suddenness, Victoria sprang up and dashed toward the wall, slamming her head against it with a sickening thud before collapsing.

Gregory gasped and rushed to her side. "Victoria, you—"

Blood trickled from her forehead as she whispered weakly, "Gregory... you have to believe me... I never betrayed you... Cassandra is your daughter..."

Seeing her desperate act, Gregory's resolve wavered. "Would you... would you really let Cassandra take a paternity test?"