Chapter 380

Olivia couldn't suppress a soft laugh. "My grandfather behaves exactly the same way. Like a spoiled child sometimes."

At the mention of Alistair, Olivia's expression shifted visibly. Her smile faded to something barely there. The others exchanged confused glances, sensing the sudden shift in Olivia's mood but unable to pinpoint its cause.

Olivia had intentionally kept news of Alistair's disappearance private, sharing it with no one. Sensing the growing tension, Natalie smoothly intervened. "Olivia, why don't we go see Isabelle now?"

Just then, a piercing scream shattered the air, startling everyone. Moments later, a child's wail followed. Olivia's eyelids flickered, and she sprinted toward the commotion.

Isabelle sat on the marble floor, her dress smudged with dirt. Tears streamed down her flushed cheeks. Standing beside her with cold indifference, Lillian addressed the gathering crowd clearly. "I didn't do anything. She was caught stealing." Lillian's accusation sent murmurs rippling through the onlookers. "Good heavens! Stealing? At her age?" "Some children are just born troublemakers. Look at her mother - Olivia never was proper society material. The apple doesn't fall far."

Isabelle tried to protest, but at her young age, her words came out jumbled between sobs. A heavyset woman stormed forward and grabbed Isabelle's wrist roughly. "Well? Confess! I caught you red-handed with my bracelet. Such a little thief already! And still lying about it. Get out of here this instant!" She began dragging the struggling child away.

Olivia arrived just as Isabelle was fighting uselessly against the woman's iron grip. The child's delicate arm already bore angry red marks from the rough handling.

Fury surged through Olivia. She barely restrained herself from shouting as she swiftly intervened, prying Isabelle free.

Seeing her mother, Isabelle's controlled whimpers erupted into heart-wrenching sobs. "Mommy! I didn't take anything! I promise!"

Olivia took a steadying breath before fixing the woman with an icy stare. "Excuse me, but where's your proof? She's a child who doesn't even understand jewelry values. That bracelet wouldn't even fit her wrist."

The woman sneered arrogantly. "Why speculate about her motives? Some are just born thieves. I saw my bracelet in her hands myself." She smirked knowingly. "I remember how you used to cling to the Blackwoods for survival. Seems you still haven't shaken those low-class habits, passing them to your daughter."

"What exactly are you implying?" Natalie's voice shook with barely contained rage as she stepped forward. Isabella arrived just then, placing a restraining hand on Natalie's shoulder, her expression grave. "Natalie, control yourself," she murmured urgently before whispering to both women, "This is no ordinary woman - she's Victoria's aunt."

This meant she was sister to Beatrice, a formidable political figure in Crestwood. The former civil servant turned deputy mayor was known for her uncompromising integrity.