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Chapter_18
The tension in the air was palpable as Coral’s accusation echoed through the entrance. The security guards, still processing the situation, exchanged uneasy glances. Vivienne stood her ground, her expression a mixture of amusement and defiance, clearly unfazed by the escalating scene.
One of the guards hesitated before addressing Vivienne, his voice softer now. “Ms. Hawthorn? Are you—”
“Yes, I’m Vivienne Hawthorn,” she interrupted, her tone steady but laced with an underlying sharpness. “But I assure you, I haven’t stolen anything from anyone.”
Arabella’s face tightened, but she kept her gaze downward, trying to suppress the satisfaction that bubbled inside her. She hadn’t expected things to escalate quite like this, but it seemed as if everything was falling into place—just as Beatrice had planned.
Coral, seizing the opportunity, pressed on, her voice dripping with mock innocence. “You see, she must have taken it. My mother’s bracelet went missing this morning, and it couldn’t have been anyone but her. I don’t care if she’s some long-lost relative of the Hawthorn family—no one gets special treatment here.”
Vivienne rolled her eyes, her gaze flicking toward Coral with a cold amusement. “So now I’m a thief simply because I live here?” She took a slow step forward, challenging Coral’s every word. “If you want to make an accusation, at least have proof.”
The security guards, unsure of what to do, looked between the two women. Vivienne was no stranger to such tactics, but her calm demeanor was disorienting to the guards, who were used to more confrontational responses. One of the guards spoke up. “Ms. Lockwood, we can’t jump to conclusions like this without evidence. If there’s truly something missing, we’ll have to investigate.”
Arabella’s irritation was growing, but she maintained her composure. “You’re right, security. We’ll let you handle this properly.” Her voice was smooth, though the underlying tension was evident.
Vivienne, however, wasn’t about to let them off the hook that easily. She turned to the security guards, her voice cutting through the air like ice. “Before you accuse anyone, let me remind you of something. It’s not just the Lockwoods who live here. The Hawthorn family has been a part of this community for years. If you’re going to accuse me, you’d better check your facts first.” Her eyes locked onto Coral’s, a silent challenge in her gaze.
Coral was visibly rattled by Vivienne’s composure, but she didn’t back down. “What are you saying, Vivienne? Are you implying that I’m lying?” She sneered, looking to the guards for support.
The second security guard, now sensing the growing tension, took a step forward. “We’ll review the cameras and check the areas where the bracelet might have been misplaced. It’s best we handle this calmly, without causing any further trouble.”
Arabella took a sharp breath, her facade cracking slightly under the pressure. She had anticipated a little friction, but not this level of confrontation. Still, she wasn’t going to let Vivienne get away unscathed. “Fine. But we’ll see what happens when the truth comes out.”
Vivienne nodded, her voice quiet but forceful. “We will. And I’ll be here when you find out who the real thief is.” She turned to leave, not allowing herself to be dragged into the drama any further.
As Vivienne walked away, Coral muttered something under her breath, but it was clear the situation had turned against her. The security guards, now unsure of how to proceed, glanced at each other. One spoke to Coral, offering a simple, “We’ll look into it.”
Arabella, still simmering with frustration, followed Vivienne with her eyes, but her thoughts were already turning inward. She had meant for Vivienne to be publicly humiliated, to be thrust into a position where she couldn’t escape the accusations. But Vivienne’s calmness had shifted the dynamics, and now she was left wondering if she’d miscalculated.
Vivienne didn’t stop walking as she entered Tranquil Estates, her thoughts lingering on the unsettling conversation. The day had started like any other, but now she felt the weight of everything happening around her—the rivalry, the lies, and the manipulations. Arabella and her alliances were playing dangerous games, but Vivienne wasn’t someone to be underestimated.
As she walked deeper into the estate, her phone buzzed. She glanced down, seeing a notification from her social media post. The messages were flooding in, but she couldn’t focus on them right now. Instead, her thoughts were preoccupied with the family she was caught up in, the secrets being hidden, and the power plays being made behind closed doors.
Vivienne had never been one to shy away from a challenge. If anything, she was ready to face whatever came next—no matter how tangled the web had become. And with the way things were escalating, it seemed like the real battle was just beginning.
