Chapter 206

Leonard's voice dripped with bitterness. "Back when Nathan decided to divorce Evelyn, he didn't even bother consulting me. Now that he wants to call off his wedding with Victoria, do you really think he'll consider my opinion?"

"This is completely different!"

Penelope's usually refined tone turned shrill. "Nathan never loved Evelyn Carter. He and Victoria grew up together. Their bond runs deeper than you can imagine!"

"Exactly." Leonard scoffed. "What I don't understand is why your precious niece isn't satisfied with their so-called deep connection. Why can't she just wait patiently instead of constantly provoking Ms. Kingsley? Her little stunt tonight - running to Harrison with half-baked accusations - has brought nothing but shame to the Blackwood name! I refuse to get involved in this mess any longer."

The memory of Reginald's mocking expression made Leonard's chest tighten. He glared at Victoria. "If I'd known you'd cause this much trouble, I would've advised Nathan to stay married to Evelyn! You're not just socially beneath us - you're a walking disaster for this family. The gap between you and Nathan is insurmountable."

Seeing Leonard abandon Victoria, Penelope's shoulders slumped as if her golden ticket to wealth had evaporated.

"Aunt Penelope..." Victoria's swollen eyes streamed tears as she gasped between sobs. "What do we do now?"

"Ha!" Cassandra clapped her hands with glee, her earlier discomfort forgotten. "Serves you right, you scheming witch! How dare you use me as your pawn? Someone like you could never marry my brother! Get out of our house!"

"I never used you!" Victoria wiped her tears while twisting the truth. "The party was enormous - I needed your help to execute our plan properly. Besides, I never told you to drug Julian Montgomery! That was your own stupid idea that ruined everything!"

"You're blaming ME?" Cassandra's eyes burned crimson. "I should've seen your true colors sooner!"

True to her nature, Cassandra chose violence over words. She lunged at Victoria, grabbing the six-figure diamond hairpin and yanking it free - taking a chunk of Victoria's hair with it. Victoria's scream pierced the air.

The two women tumbled to the floor like alley cats, scratching and pulling hair right in front of Penelope.

"Enough!" Penelope's roar shook the room. Both women paused, panting heavily, still gripping fistfuls of each other's hair with murderous glares.

"I'm counting to three," Penelope hissed. "One! Two! Three!"

The combatants reluctantly released each other.

"Cassandra, go to your room. I need to speak with your cousin privately." Penelope's icy tone brooked no argument.

"Mother!" Cassandra's hair resembled a bird's nest. "She set me up! If not for her, I wouldn't have humiliated myself tonight!"

"Don't pretend you're blameless!" Penelope snapped. "How many times have I warned you about rushing things with Julian? But no - you had to try seducing him at your grandfather's birthday gala! Is this what my elite education produced? You've only made him despise you more! Go reflect on your behavior!"

Cowed by her mother's fury, Cassandra shot Victoria one last venomous look before storming out.

Victoria stood frozen, clutching her ruined dress. A cold realization settled in her heart.

Penelope would move heaven and earth for Cassandra's desires, but Victoria? She was just a disposable pawn in Penelope's game to control Nathan.

"Aunt Penelope, about tonight—"

The sharp crack of Penelope's palm against Victoria's cheek cut off her words.