Chapter 51 Favoritism

Chapter 51 Favoritism

The door was suddenly knocked on, the abrupt sound startling Vivian awake from her drowsy state. She turned her head in panic, her eyes meeting directly with the stern expression of the officer outside.

She blinked, swallowing nervously, her voice hoarse: "What's wrong?"

She bit the soft flesh inside her mouth, her heart full of resentment.

She had just added something to Flora's medicine, it wasn't even poison - did they really need to make such a big deal out of it? They'd been dragging her in for questioning all day, asking the same things over and over. It was driving her crazy!

"Come out, someone's here to see you."

At these words, Vivian's eyes lit up, the irritation in them instantly vanishing. She jumped to her feet, the corners of her lips curving upward, her face unable to hide her joy.

It must be her parents!

Great, they'd finally figured out a way to get her out!

Vivian followed the officer to the visiting room door and pushed it open.

But when she saw clearly that the people sitting inside were actually Flora and Gavin, the smile on her face instantly froze, like someone had dumped a bucket of ice water over her head. She was deeply disappointed.

"You really are like a ghost that won't go away." Vivian's lips twitched, anger burning in her eyes. "What, winning once wasn't enough? You had to chase me here to watch me suffer?"

She stared hard at Flora, hatred growing wildly in her heart.

If she'd known it would come to this, she should have been more ruthless from the start and destroyed her completely, so she wouldn't be standing here now, showing off!

"What's the rush?" Flora looked up at her, her tone calm to the point of coldness. "We're here to give you a chance."

Seeing how easily agitated she was, Gavin instinctively stepped half a pace in front of Flora, guarding against her suddenly lunging forward.

Noticing Gavin's protective gesture toward Flora, Vivian nearly went blind with rage. She pointed at the door behind her, screaming hysterically: "Get out! Both of you get out right now!"

She clenched her fists, grinding her teeth: "Flora, you just wait. As soon as I get out, I'll make you pay back a thousand times over for today!"

"Quiet down, if you cause any more trouble, this visit ends immediately!"

Vivian's commotion was too loud, and the officer at the door immediately issued a warning.

At these words, Vivian's arrogant attitude deflated considerably. She clenched her jaw, glaring viciously at Flora, no longer daring to shout.

She'd finally gotten a chance to come out and really didn't want to go back to that cramped, bare holding cell so soon.

She strode over to a chair and sat down, arms crossed, looking upset.

Watching her act like she was facing a great enemy, Flora let out a light laugh: "Looks like you don't want to get out after all."

"Just you wait till I get out."

Vivian knew full well that Flora meant no good and couldn't possibly be here to bail her out, so she immediately grew guarded and snapped back.

Michael and Susan, who entered shortly after, heard these words and their expressions changed slightly. They quickly tried to smooth things over, making excuses for Vivian.

"Flora, don't take Vivian's words to heart." Susan hurried forward, her tone somewhat pleading. "She's suffered in there; it's natural that her emotions are out of control. She's just being stubborn, but she's not bad at heart."

Susan stepped forward and grabbed Vivian's hand, her eyes signaling her to quickly apologize to Flora.

They'd finally managed to persuade her to come, and if a few words from Vivian drove her away, all their previous efforts would be wasted.

"Vivian, is that any way to talk?" Michael's face darkened as he scolded in a low voice. "Stop making trouble."

Vivian, who had no idea what was going on, was completely confused, both angry and anxious. She yanked her hand away from Susan's, looking hurt as she questioned them: "What do you mean by this? You're blaming me? Who was it that said I was your biological daughter, that you'd always take my side! I've only been locked up for a day or two, and your attitude has already changed. Do you think I'm embarrassing you?"

Then she pointed at Flora, her voice trembling uncontrollably: "You regret it, don't you?" She stared at them with reddening eyes, her voice shaking. "You think she's better than me, more respectable than me, so you want to take her back, don't you? Is it only she who deserves to be your daughter?"

The color gradually drained from Vivian's face. She bit her lower lip hard, tears welling up in her eyes, ready to fall. She kept backing away, full of resentment, finally bowing her head in compromise. "Fine, I'll do as you wish."

"Take her back. I'm from the countryside anyway. She's already taken my engagement, my identity - she can have whatever she wants. Isn't that what you wanted?"

Susan felt heartbroken and explained, "Vivian, that's not what we mean. What belongs to you will always be yours."

Michael sighed, trying to soften his tone: "Vivian, Mom and Dad never thought about abandoning you. The Smith family's daughter will always be you."

"What we mean is, let her stay as your sister. We'll tell people you were in poor health as a child and sent to the countryside to recuperate, then brought back later. As for this whole true and false heiress thing, it's just a misunderstanding."

He felt helpless - he'd been dropping hints, but she was so immersed in her own emotions that she didn't catch on at all, completely failing to understand that their actions were just an act.

The Smith family's daughter had always been, and would always be, only her.

"Why should I!"

Seeing that her retreat-as-advance tactic didn't work, Vivian's eyes immediately turned red with anxiety.

She'd already pretended to give in and agree to let them take Flora back - that was already her biggest concession. But she never expected they would still push her step by step, insisting she accept her.

Why? Why should a country bumpkin get to enjoy all the wealth and privilege that had been hers for so many years, and now she was supposed to let herself be used by her? Why was she so lucky, able to easily take away everything that should have been hers, and in the end she was supposed to humbly thank her for it?

The emotions Vivian had been suppressing for so long finally snapped. She could no longer contain her overwhelming hatred and started cursing at Michael and Susan and Flora:

"Impossible!" Vivian completely lost control, her eyes red as she shrieked, "The fact that I can stand here without stabbing her to death is already my greatest mercy!"

"What is she? A cheap woman from the countryside - does she deserve to become part of the Smith family, does she deserve to be my sister?"

"When I first came back, you clearly promised me you'd send her far away, that you wouldn't let her disturb our lives! But now? You keep forcing me to compromise, forcing me to accept her. Why should I!"

"If I'd known it would be like this, I never should have come back. You're all liars!"

Vivian completely fell apart. She covered her face with her hands, but tears still poured wildly through her fingers.

Watching Vivian cry herself into near collapse, Michael and Susan's hearts tightened.

Susan hugged her with reddening eyes, but her gaze couldn't help falling on Flora, a hint of blame creeping into her eyes.

If she hadn't insisted on pursuing this to the end, how would Vivian have been pushed to this point?

Though Michael said nothing, his furrowed brow clearly showed the same displaced anger.