Chapter 605

A sharp slap echoed through the hallway.

Theo's pale cheek immediately flushed red with the imprint of a hand.

He bit his lip, tears welling in his eyes but refusing to fall.

"Victoria Roscente, have you lost your mind?" Vivian Laurent shielded Theo behind her.

Victoria shook her stinging hand with a cold laugh. "Since when do you get a say in how I discipline my nephew?"

She lifted her chin arrogantly. "Don't think cozying up to a child will get you into the Roscente family. I've seen plenty of gold-diggers like you."

Before she could finish, Vivian retaliated with a backhanded slap.

Victoria staggered back two steps, clutching her face in disbelief. "You dare hit me?"

"That was for Theo." Vivian's gaze turned icy. "Only cowards hit children."

Victoria shrieked and lunged forward.

Vivian effortlessly caught her wrist, twisting it with practiced ease.

Slap!

A second strike landed harder than the first.

"That was to teach you manners." Vivian's voice dropped dangerously low. "One more disrespectful word, and you'll end up like Sophia Evans."

Victoria's cheeks burned. "My father will destroy you!"

"Still hiding behind the Roscente name?" Vivian smirked. "Pathetic."

Victoria trembled with rage, her raised hand frozen mid-air.

"Go ahead," Vivian challenged, staring directly into her eyes.

Under the hallway lights, Vivian's gaze chilled like arctic ice.

"I promise you," she enunciated each word, "if you lay one finger on me, I'll break your entire arm."

Victoria's hand remained suspended.

"Remember this." Vivian stepped closer. "Every action you take against me will be repaid tenfold."

She turned and took Theo's hand, walking away without a backward glance.

Victoria stood rooted to the spot, her palms slick with cold sweat.