Chapter 266

Penelope Whitmore finally stepped out of the district attorney's office after nearly a week, her exhaustion evident.

Without her usual high-end makeup, her face was pallid and drawn, as though she had aged ten years overnight.

A few strands of silver hair stood out starkly against her dark locks.

Dreading the swarm of reporters, Penelope couldn't bear the thought of returning home in such a wretched state.

She feared Leonard might see her like this—her carefully cultivated image would shatter in an instant.

Understanding her distress, Cassandra accompanied her to an upscale salon first, where she freshened up before facing the world again.

As they left, Penelope adjusted her hair in the mirror with a dark expression. "Let's not go home yet. We should visit Victoria."

She exhaled sharply. "After all, she's my niece. After risking my life for her, I can't afford to seem indifferent. I must maintain my kind and compassionate image for your father."

Twenty-five years of meticulous image-building—it cannot crumble now.

Cassandra frowned. "Mom! Victoria actually attempted suicide!"

Though she disliked Victoria, the memory of that bloodied bathroom still haunted her. "Forget whether Nathan will fall for her act—what if no one had found her in time? She could have died! She's ruthless, even to herself!"

Penelope smirked, tucking her compact away. "Oh, someone was always going to find her in time."

Cassandra gasped as realization struck. "Mom! Did you—?"

Penelope pressed a finger to her lips, silencing her.

The suicide attempt had been Penelope's idea—a calculated move to evoke Nathan's sympathy. She had used the same tactic years ago to win Leonard's pity, securing her place in the Blackwood family and the life she now enjoyed.

Nathan had battled depression before, and Victoria had been his pillar during that dark period. Triggering those memories would remind him of her virtues. The risk was high, but the potential reward was even greater.

"Even if Victoria isn't perfect, I won't allow that wretched Evelyn to worm her way back into Nathan's life!"

Penelope clenched her fists, fury simmering beneath her composed exterior. Evelyn, how dare you play games with me? I swear, I won't let you win!

"The Kingsleys may be powerful in Fairhaven, but that's just a small town," Penelope hissed. "In Crestview, the Blackwoods rule."

Cassandra's eyes gleamed with malice. "We'll have plenty of chances to deal with that woman later." She hadn't forgotten the humiliation of Evelyn throwing slippers in her face.

As they reached Victoria's hospital room, they learned Leonard and Nathan were already inside. Penelope immediately slipped into her role as the devoted aunt, tears welling in her eyes.

"Victoria! My dear girl!" She rushed in, pulling Victoria into a dramatic embrace. "How could you do something so reckless?"

In front of the men, she sobbed uncontrollably. "Why must the women in our family suffer like this? Framed, tormented—I can't take it anymore!"

"Aunt Penelope, please don't cry..." Victoria played her part flawlessly, her voice trembling with feigned distress.

Margaret, standing nearby, joined the performance, turning the room into a scene of melodramatic grief.

Nathan watched them silently, his expression unreadable. Victoria stole a glance at him, but his icy detachment sent a chill down her spine.

Once, her tears would have moved him instantly. He would have been the first to comfort her.

Now, that tenderness was gone—stolen by Evelyn.

The three women clung to each other, weeping, while Leonard's frown deepened.

"Penelope, Nathan," he said gravely. "Come with me. We need to talk."

Moments later, in the private lounge, Penelope gasped. "Leonard—!"