Chapter 339

While pity played its part, the true motive behind Margaret Kensington's actions was her relentless pursuit to manipulate Seraphina for personal advantage.

At this critical juncture, whether Seraphina still drew breath remained an enigma to all.

With Margaret's sinister plot unfolding, the Kensington family found themselves with no alternative but to comply with her demands.

Their malicious scheme aimed to silence Isabelle permanently, with the ultimate goal of driving Olivia Sinclair from the Kensington household in utter disgrace, mirroring Vivienne's tragic past. Should they succeed, the 30% inheritance designated for Olivia would be divided among them. The plan progressed without hindrance - until the mysterious masked figure known as Mr. Jack made his unexpected appearance.

Alerted to the unfolding crisis, Donovan and Reginald Kensington rushed back immediately.

"If our plan had succeeded, your precious daughter would have been left mute and disabled, just like you were all those years ago!" Margaret spat venomously. Her excitement visibly grew with each word, culminating in a triumphant cackle as she envisioned her imagined victory.

Hearing this, Olivia's gaze locked with Donovan's, her maternal fears for Isabelle painfully evident.

Noticing her distress, Donovan quickly attempted reassurance. "Don't worry, Isabelle can still speak - her throat's just injured. The doctors believe full recovery is possible with time. Though we arrived later than hoped, we intervened before the entire dose was administered."

With a heavy, sorrow-laden sigh, Olivia closed her eyes.

Only now did she finally comprehend the true meaning behind Vivienne's words in that fateful letter.

Vivienne had written: "Olivia, should you ever return to the Kensington family, please find Margaret and deliver my messages. Tell her I wasn't responsible for what happened back then. And that I've always cherished our time together."

Previously, Olivia couldn't fathom such a request. Margaret had shown her nothing but contempt, their every interaction laced with biting sarcasm. Thus, Olivia had dismissed her mother's plea to relay these words.

Now, with the truth revealed, everything became painfully clear to Olivia.

Vivienne had likely never realized that what she perceived as genuine friendship with Margaret was, in reality, nothing but an elaborately staged deception.

Donovan's icy voice shattered Olivia's reverie. "Olivia, how shall we make her pay? The choice is yours."

Margaret's laughter rang out abruptly before cutting off as she stared at Donovan in stunned disbelief. "Donovan Kensington!" she shrieked, her voice sharp with incredulity. "How dare you! I'm your mother! Not only do you side with her against me, but you want me punished? You ungrateful wretch!"

Donovan merely smirked, his tone laced with bitter irony. "Did you ever consider yourself my mother when you arranged my kidnapping just to hurt Vivienne? I've always known you loved another man and cared nothing for Father, but I never imagined you'd feel nothing for me either."

Olivia studied Donovan closely, noting his bloodshot eyes. This marked the first time she'd witnessed this vulnerable side of him, breaking through his usual composed facade.

She understood completely. Discovering that the architect of his childhood trauma - the kidnapping that scarred him both physically and emotionally - was his own mother would devastate anyone.