Chapter 323

The maid finally left after studying Vivian's expression, convinced the young woman wouldn't attempt anything reckless.

The moment the door clicked shut, Vivian sprinted toward the isolated hut.

Its exterior appeared dilapidated, but the construction materials were cutting-edge. The frosted steel walls allowed one-way visibility.

Inside, Margaret Whitmore's every movement was visible - her furious screams, violent door pounding, angry stomping. Vivian even caught the undignified sight of Margaret picking her nose.

Yet Margaret remained completely blind to the outside world, seeing nothing beyond her white prison walls.

"Pathetic." Vivian pressed against the transparent wall, watching Margaret's meltdown with dark amusement. "This is what happens when you provoke the Blackwoods, you foolish woman."

Though she'd witnessed Margaret in humiliating situations before, this took the cake. There was something deliciously ironic about the proud socialite reduced to this state.

Vivian leisurely recorded Margaret's breakdown before turning her attention to the high-tech lock. The biometric security system would stump most people.

Not a world-class hacker like Scarlet Phoenix.

Her phone and Bluetooth device synced instantly. A holographic keyboard materialized in the air. Fingers flying, she bypassed firewall after firewall until the lock emitted a triumphant beep.

The door slid open silently.

Margaret whirled around, disbelief morphing into tearful relief. "Isabella! My precious daughter-in-law! You came for me!" She lunged forward, clutching Vivian like a lifeline. "I was dying of boredom in here! And I desperately need the ladies' room!"

Vivian barely suppressed an eye roll as Margaret babbled about her ordeal.

"Keep screaming," Vivian hissed. "Let's wake the entire Blackwood security team. That'll help our escape."

Margaret paled but stubbornly lifted her chin. "I'm not afraid of them!" Yet she bolted through the door the second Vivian stepped aside.

Vivian calmly reset the security system before joining Margaret outside. She pointed to a narrow drainage tunnel. "Guards patrol the main gate. This is our only exit. Move now while it's dark."

"No!" Margaret crossed her arms. "I won't leave without you. That viper Eleanor can't have you!"

Vivian blinked. Since when had Margaret developed maternal instincts toward her?

"Stop being childish," Vivian snapped. "The Blackwoods have been itching for war with the Lockharts. Your little stunt gave them the perfect excuse. We dominate business, but their military resources? We can't compete." She gripped Margaret's shoulders. "This is your one chance. Stay, and you'll destroy everything Nathaniel's built. Is that what you want?"