Chapter 266

"I—"

Olivia Sinclair still felt weak. Her vision swam as she gazed at the crowd, lips trembling with unspoken words.

"I saw you with Ms. Lockhart earlier," Evelyn Sinclair remarked pointedly, fanning herself with deliberate slowness. "You seemed upset then. Was she the last person you were with?"

The implication hung thick in the air—Vivian Lockhart had pushed Olivia overboard!

Years navigating the cutthroat entertainment industry had taught Evelyn valuable tactics. Manipulating others to eliminate rivals remained her favorite strategy—effortless and effective.

"Darling!" Olivia's mother gripped her shoulders urgently. "Tell us the truth! Did that woman push you? If she did, your father and I will make her pay!"

"Mother—" Olivia bit her lip, playing the reluctant victim. "Let's drop this. Ms. Lockhart and I are friends. It was... an accident."

The truth? No one had pushed her. Heartbroken by Nathaniel Blackwood's rejection, she'd attempted suicide in despair. But seeing Nathaniel holding Vivian's hand had ignited such jealousy that framing Vivian became irresistible.

No man would stay with an attempted murderer.

As predicted, Nathaniel immediately released Vivian's hand.

His glacial stare pierced through Vivian. "Explain," he demanded, voice dripping with suspicion.

Gasps erupted around them.

"How could she? Such darkness in her heart!" someone whispered.

Vivian clenched her fists. Again, she'd become the villain.

"Olivia," she snapped, pointing accusingly. "Stop playing games! Either accuse me properly or retract your insinuations!"

Olivia recoiled dramatically, tears streaming. "Please don't be angry! I-I won't press charges! Let's just say I slipped!"

"Liar!" Vivian lunged forward, gripping Olivia's arm painfully tight. "Say it outright if you're accusing me! Then I can sue you for defamation! Drop the innocent act—you've already attacked me!"

How wrong she'd been about Olivia. That initial letter had painted her as intelligent, above petty jealousy. But clearly, she'd lost both her mind and morals.

"Stop!" Olivia sobbed, clutching her mother. "I feel dizzy... need to lie down!"

"You nearly drowned, darling!" her mother cried. "We're going to the hospital now!"