Chapter 163

Evelyn had been engrossed in her novel when a sudden craving for fresh fruit struck her.

She descended the grand staircase, her bare feet silent on the marble steps. The moment she entered the sunlit living room, Victoria's dramatic voice filled the air.

Victoria sat surrounded by the Blackwood family, her delicate features twisted in distress. "I don't blame Liam," she sniffled. "He must have his reasons."

Her voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. "She's been poisoning his mind against me with vicious lies. That's why he's grown distant!"

Victoria dabbed at her eyes with a lace handkerchief. "She plays men like chess pieces. I can endure the pain, but I fear for Liam. She's dangerous."

Eleanor frowned. "Liam's no fool. He wouldn't be easily manipulated."

"Hasn't he changed?" Victoria countered.

Richard considered this. "He's certainly more present at home lately."

"More talkative too," Cassandra added.

Maxwell nodded. "And far more approachable than before."

Isabella smiled. "These seem like positive changes to me."

Victoria's face fell as she realized her plan was backfiring. Her protest died on her lips when she noticed Evelyn standing in the doorway.

Evelyn greeted the family before fixing Victoria with a steady gaze. "Ms. Dawson, I chose not to expose your misdeeds out of courtesy. Why are you stirring trouble in my home?"

Victoria's mask of innocence slipped back into place. "Evelyn, darling, we were just chatting. No trouble at all."

Isabella shot Evelyn a disdainful look. "We know Victoria well enough without your interference."

Eleanor quickly interjected. "We were simply catching up. Evelyn, would you like some dessert? I'll have the kitchen prepare something."

Evelyn's patience snapped. "I've tolerated enough lies. Someone here constantly twists the truth and sows discord."

Tears welled in Victoria's eyes. "How cruel! Why are you attacking me like this?"

Evelyn's laugh held no humor. "Still pretending? On Grandmother's birthday, Liam gifted me jewelry and a gown."

"You ruined that gown with dye," Evelyn continued. "Destroyed my carefully planned gift."

Gasps filled the room. Cassandra clutched her pearls. "How dreadful!"

Victoria's hands clenched, her perfect manicure digging into her palms. "These are vicious lies!"

Evelyn's eyes blazed with long-suppressed anger. "You threw yourself down stairs to make Liam think I pushed you. That's why I was banished from Blackwood Manor."

"When I was injured, you pretended I abused you in front of Liam," Evelyn continued relentlessly. "At the military dormitory, you staged another fall."

"You're a master manipulator," Evelyn concluded. "My silence wasn't weakness - it was mercy."

The family stared at Victoria with dawning horror and revulsion.

Victoria sprang to her feet, trembling with rage. "Lies! All lies!" she shrieked. "You're the one destroying my relationship with Liam! Now you're turning his family against me!"

Her carefully constructed facade crumbled completely, revealing the venom beneath.