Chapter 6: Vivian's True Colors

Lucas stood rooted to the spot, unable to accept the truth.

"Dad... why didn't you ever tell me?"

Harold sighed heavily.

"Because I wanted you to build your own reputation instead of relying on old favors. Unfortunately, I failed to teach you humility."

Vivian grabbed Lucas's arm tightly.

"Luc, don't listen to them! They're lying together just to scare us!"

"Chairman Goodwin, you can't seriously believe these two women over us!"

Harold slowly turned toward Vivian.

"Security footage doesn't lie."

"I watched every second before coming here."

"The dress belonged to Miss Lily first."

"You were the one who provoked her."

"You were the one who demanded she kneel."

"You were also the one who scratched her face."

Vivian's lips trembled.

"I... I only lost control for a moment..."

"Lost control?" my mother repeated coldly.

"Then should my daughter lose control as well?"

Vivian instinctively stepped backward.

Harold signaled to one of his assistants.

"Call the police."

"Intentional assault, public humiliation, destruction of personal property, and malicious intimidation."

"Let the law handle everything."

Vivian's face instantly turned white.

"No! Uncle—Chairman Goodwin! Please!"

"If this reaches the police, my career will be over!"

She hurriedly grabbed Lucas's sleeve.

"Luc, help me! Tell them not to call the police!"

Lucas remained silent.

For the first time, he looked at Vivian as though he were seeing a complete stranger.

"Vivian... did you really scratch Lily's face?"

"I... I..."

"Answer me!" Lucas shouted.

Vivian burst into tears.

"I only wanted to teach her a lesson because she embarrassed me!"

"Besides, haven't you always protected me? I thought you would this time too!"

Lucas slowly pulled his arm away.

"You've been using me all along... haven't you?"

"Every conflict... every person you claimed bullied you... was because you started it first."

Vivian's silence answered everything.

The surrounding crowd immediately changed sides.

"So Ms. Morrow was lying all along."

"She abused Chairman Goodwin's influence to bully innocent people."

"Poor Miss Lily. She suffered for nothing."

"Vivian deserves to be arrested."

Listening to the crowd that had once supported her now condemn her, Vivian completely broke down.

She suddenly rushed toward me and dropped to her knees.

"Miss Windsong... I'm sorry! Please forgive me!"

"I was jealous of you! I couldn't accept that you were Lucas's fiancée!"

"Please don't send me to jail!"

I looked at her expressionlessly.

"When you forced me to kneel... did you ever think about forgiving me?"

Vivian froze, unable to answer.

"Every choice has consequences," I said calmly.

"Now it's your turn to face yours."