Chapter 434

"Fine, let her in!" Margaret Whitmore sighed with visible reluctance.

Truth be told, she had little patience for Cassandra Delacroix. If not for the woman's pregnancy with a Blackwood heir—and her subsequent pitiful state—she would have cut ties long ago.

Moments later, a servant escorted a pale, trembling Cassandra into the garden.

"Look at her, dressed like she's attending a funeral! She'll curse us with that miserable aura!" Margaret scoffed, shooting Edith a disdainful glance.

"Mrs. Whitmore!" Cassandra's voice quivered as she approached, tears already spilling. "I've ruined everything this time! You must help me—if you don't, Nathaniel might never forgive me! He'll abandon me forever!"

"Really?" Margaret's first thought was pure relief. Finally, my son is free of this leech.

Still, she maintained her dignified composure. "Stop crying and explain. I'll see what I can do."

Cassandra wiped her tears with a shaky hand. "It's all my fault... You know Vivian Lockhart is back in town, right? The memories... they overwhelmed me. I just wanted her to visit my child's grave, to apologize properly so my baby could rest in peace..."

Margaret nodded solemnly. Reasonable. Regardless of intent, Vivian caused that child's death. An apology is the least she owes.

"But Vivian—she's so arrogant! She refused to admit any wrongdoing! Nathaniel had to intervene... It took so much effort just to make her agree..."

"And then?" Margaret's expression darkened, urging Cassandra to continue.

Though she wanted reconciliation between Vivian and Nathaniel, she'd never condone such heartlessness. A life had been lost—how could Vivian dismiss it?

"On the way to the mountains, she kept mocking my baby. Nathaniel was furious. He kicked her out of the car... and now he won't even speak to me!" Cassandra's voice broke. "Mrs. Whitmore, please... call him. Tell him I'll obey his every word from now on! I won't force Vivian to visit the grave anymore—just make him forgive me!"

Margaret's temper flared. "Why are you apologizing? Vivian murdered a Blackwood heir! Demanding she face that grave isn't unreasonable—it's basic decency!"

"Exactly!" Edith chimed in, scowling. "Vivian got off lightly! The Blackwoods showed mercy by not pressing charges!"

She'd heard rumors of Vivian's behavior but never imagined such cruelty. How could the family tolerate her? In Edith's eyes, Cassandra was the victim—fragile, blameless.

Margaret, however, wasn't entirely convinced. Vivian was wild, yes, but not heartless. There had to be more to this story.