Chapter 94

Vivian turned to Margaret, her lips forming a perfect pout. "Aunt Margaret, just look at how she's acting!"

Margaret Blackwood, who had remained silent until this moment, finally spoke. Her voice was like ice cutting through the tension. "You may think this isn't my concern, but I assure you it is."

Margaret's blatant favoritism toward Bianca was almost comical in its transparency. Vivian had always suspected Margaret was the type to blindly prioritize family loyalty above all else. But as time passed, she realized the dynamics were far more complex. Even Victor seemed desperate to marry his daughter into some influential family for personal gain. Apparently, this was just how the Blackwoods operated.

Vivian parted her lips but said nothing. Instead, she lowered her gaze, the picture of demure submission.

Margaret's rebuke was sharp and deliberate. "You're embarrassing our family. I don't care about your private affairs, but here, in public, as a Blackwood, you must uphold our reputation. You represent our image and must act accordingly. This isn't some casual ladies' tea party. It's inappropriate to be seen with a stranger, let alone follow him here. Now, come with me."

"My apologies," Vivian murmured, her tone respectful and seemingly compliant, as if nothing had fundamentally changed.

For a fleeting moment, Margaret's stern expression softened, but Vivian's next words froze it again.

Vivian clutched the fabric of her dress, her voice barely above a whisper but filled with quiet determination. "But I can't leave. My employer is still here, and it would be improper to abandon him mid-event. As a professional, I can't risk tarnishing the Blackwood name by acting irresponsibly."

Margaret's piercing gaze locked onto Vivian, cold realization dawning in her eyes. She let out a derisive laugh. "Now I see your true colors. I wish Leonard and Beatrice could witness this carefully constructed facade of yours."

Bianca chimed in with malicious delight, "Look at you, Vivian. You're practically defying Aunt Margaret now!"

Serena, the architect of this confrontation, wore a faint smile of satisfaction. Having achieved her goal, she decided not to escalate things further. Glancing at her phone, she said with calculated politeness, "Mrs. Blackwood, Bianca, Ms. Hartley, I have matters to attend to. Please enjoy the rest of your evening."

"Margaret, I've been away too long. My boss might be looking for me," Vivian interjected quickly, fabricating an excuse to escape. "I should return now."

Margaret's eyes burned into Vivian's retreating figure, her anger palpable. Seeking privacy, she pulled out her phone and dialed Adrian. "Did you know Vivian attended the Kingsley Group's gala?" she demanded.

Adrian's response was calm. "Yes, I gave her the invitation. She's been emotionally fragile since the incident."

"I thought the Harbor Grand's desserts might cheer her up," Adrian added, though his words barely registered over Margaret's frustration.

"I've heard rumors about her involvement with some playboy from the Vaughn family. You need to control her better before people discover she's your wife. She's barely been part of this family, and already she's damaging our reputation."

Margaret had long tolerated Vivian's modest background, hoping for a grandchild. But Vivian's apparent attempts to leverage her status as Mrs. Blackwood, combined with the absence of any pregnancy, were testing her patience to its limits.