Chapter 193

Vivian gestured toward the security camera mounted on the wall. "Secrets don't stay hidden forever. Lucky for us, your little crime was caught on tape."

Cassandra froze for a second before bursting into laughter. "That's your big evidence? Surveillance footage?" She smirked, flipping her hair. "Go ahead, take it to court. Let’s see who the judge believes."

Vivian hadn’t expected such confidence. Clearly, Cassandra had already tampered with the footage.

But that wasn’t a problem.

Vivian could retrieve deleted files in minutes.

"Since you’re so sure of yourself," Vivian said coolly, "we’ll see what happens at the trial in three days."

With that, she turned and walked away.

Three days. That’s all she needed.

Cassandra would pay for what she’d done.

The elevator doors slid open, and Vivian nearly collided with Nathaniel and his mother, Eleanor Whitmore.

Their eyes locked. A storm of unspoken emotions passed between them.

Eleanor’s face twisted in disgust. "What are you doing here, you wretched girl? Here to finish what your nanny started?"

"Is this your hospital?" Vivian shot back. "Do I need your permission to be here?"

"You—!"

Eleanor’s hand flew up, ready to strike.

Nathaniel caught her wrist. "Enough."

"Enough?" Eleanor hissed, yanking against his grip. "Have you lost your mind? She’s trying to ruin us! Your child could be born behind bars!"

"I’ll handle it," Nathaniel said, voice icy.

"How? If it were up to me, she’d have been dealt with long ago!"

Nathaniel didn’t budge. "Leave."

The command wasn’t for his mother—it was for Vivian.

She didn’t move.

Was this some kind of act? A ploy to make her drop the charges?

It wouldn’t work.

"See you in court," she said flatly, then walked away without another glance.

Only when she was gone did Nathaniel release Eleanor.

"You’re going to be the death of me!" Eleanor snapped, raising her hand—but she couldn’t bring herself to hit him. Instead, she exhaled sharply. "What’s wrong with you? Ever since the divorce, you act like she’s still your wife. Is she blackmailing you?"

"Cassandra crossed a line," Nathaniel said. "Vivian has every right to retaliate. She’s not part of this family anymore. We can’t control her."

Eleanor opened her mouth—then shut it.

He was right.

The timid girl they’d once known was gone.

Vivian Lockhart was a force now—CEO of Lockhart Enterprises, chairwoman of the Tech Association, running Blackwood Legal with ruthless efficiency.

If Eleanor had known this was who Vivian really was…

Maybe she wouldn’t have pushed for that divorce.