Chapter 99: Vivian’s crazy obsession.
Amber simply stared at her.
Over the years, she had covered for Vivian countless times. She had hidden her mistakes from her husband, fulfilled almost every one of Vivian’s demands, and rarely refused her anything.
She had always known when Vivian was lying. She had simply chosen not to expose her. Because of that, Vivian had become increasingly spoiled, arrogant, and entitled.
She lied as naturally as she breathed. Whenever she couldn’t get what she wanted, she threw tantrums until everyone gave in.
Now everything had gone too far.
Vivian had embarrassed herself at the Rowan family banquet. Instead of learning from that mistake, she had caused another scandal at the bar in front of countless people.
Amber could no longer remain silent.
"Don’t lie to me, Vivian," she said sternly. "I already know what happened last night. Sasha told me everything."
Vivian stiffened. The nervous smile vanished from her face. Panic flashed across her eyes before it was quickly replaced by fury.
’That bitch... Just because I took the man she wanted to sleep with, she complained to my mother. Fine. I’ll make her regret it.’
"Do you have any idea what your father would do if he found out?" Amber snapped, pulling Vivian back to reality.
"You kissed a stranger in public and left with him. If anyone had recognized you as the Sterling family’s daughter, it would have been all over tomorrow’s headlines."
Her expression darkened. "How could you be so reckless?"
Amber’s criticism only fueled Vivian’s anger.
"I was drunk," she shot back. "I was heartbroken after what happened at the birthday party, so I went out with my friends to have some fun."
Tears welled in her eyes.
"I just wanted to forget the pain. I thought maybe spending time with someone else would make me feel better."
Amber’s expression remained cold.
"Being heartbroken doesn’t give you the right to throw away your dignity or behave recklessly."
"I’m sorry, Mom," Vivian sobbed. "I know I made a mistake. But I’m really hurting."
She threw her arms around Amber’s neck and cried even harder.
"I wasn’t thinking clearly." She buried her face in Amber’s shoulder. "I know I was wrong. Please forgive me this once. I promise it will never happen again."
Amber looked at her without softening. "This time, I won’t tell your father. But if something like this happens again, I won’t stay silent."
It was both a warning and a final chance.
Vivian nodded repeatedly. "It won’t happen again. I swear."
She clasped Amber’s hand tightly. "But my heart hurts. I can’t live without Elias. Please, Mom... help me."
"Vivian..." Amber sighed. "You need to stop thinking about Elias. He is already married."
"But that woman doesn’t love him," Vivian argued immediately. "She is only after the Rowan family’s fortune. I investigated her background."
Amber narrowed her eyes with interest. "What did you find?"
"For years, she lived in luxury with the Sinclair family," Vivian said. "She was engaged to Noah Sinclair, but he never married her. Eventually, he abandoned her after discovering her true colors."
She sneered. "She is nothing but a gold digger."
Amber looked unconvinced. "Are you certain?"
"Yes, Mom." Vivian nodded confidently. "She doesn’t love Elias. She only wants his money. But Elias is blinded by his feelings. He believes she is the little girl who once saved him."
Growing up, Vivian had heard the story countless times.
Evelyn often talked about the brave little girl who had stood up to the boys bullying Elias.
Back then, Vivian had even laughed with Evelyn, joking that Elias would never find his childhood savior.
Yet somehow, he actually had. And that girl turned out to be Elena.
The thought alone filled Vivian with unbearable jealousy. Out of all the women in the world, why did it have to be Elena, the lowly orphan?
"But I’m sure she is lying," Vivian insisted through clenched teeth. "She must have heard that story somewhere and used it to deceive Elias. She is dangerous for Elias and for the Rowan family."
Amber still wasn’t convinced.
"Even if everything you are saying is true," she replied calmly, "it’s already too late. They are married now, and your grandfather has already accepted her."
She looked directly at Vivian. "You should let Elias go."
"No." Vivian sprang to her feet. "If I can’t have Elias, then no one will."
Hatred burned fiercely in her eyes. "I’ll make him mine. And if you won’t help me, I’ll do it myself."
"Vivian..." Amber fixed her with a warning look.
She wanted to stop her. But she knew her daughter well enough to realize words alone wouldn’t change her mind.
Vivian’s obsession with Elias had grown far beyond what she had imagined.
She was genuinely afraid Vivian would drag the Sterling family into disaster.
Amber slowly rose from the sofa. "Don’t make another foolish mistake," she warned coldly. "As for Elena, leave that matter to me. I’ll see what I can do."
Hope instantly returned to Vivian’s face. "Thank you, Mom."
She hurried over and hugged her tightly. "I knew you wouldn’t disappoint me. You are the best mother."
As she smiled, malice flickered in her eyes.
’Elias... You rejected me because of Elena. I’ll make sure neither of you ever has a peaceful life together. I’ll destroy both of you.’
~~~~~~~~~~
The next morning...
Vivian received news that Elias and Elena had left on a business trip.
"What?" She shot upright from the sofa. "Elias took Elena with him?"
"Yes, Miss," the servant replied. "They left early this morning."
Vivian’s face darkened with jealousy. Her heart burned with resentment.
"Where did they go?" she asked through gritted teeth.
"France."
"Book me a ticket."
There was a brief silence on the other end. "Miss, are you planning to go there?"
Vivian’s eyes flashed with anger. "What do you think? Do you think I’ll let them spend time together so happily? Never."
Her voice turned icy. "Book the ticket. Now."
"Yes, Miss."
The call ended.
Vivian tightly gripped her phone. A frustrated cry escaped her lips.
"How could you take her with you?"
Her eyes filled with tears. "How could you?"
She broke into furious sobs. "You want to play the loving husband with her? Fine. Enjoy yourselves while you can. Because from now on, I’m going to ruin every happy moment of your lives."
Her lips slowly curled into a sinister smile.