Chapter 419

The smirk faded from Victoria's lips. She twisted the cap off the bottle and deliberately poured every drop of water onto the floor in front of Olivia. The liquid splashed against the tiles, not a single drop reaching Olivia's parched lips. "Go on. Get on your knees and lick it up," Victoria sneered, her voice dripping with venom.

Olivia didn't move. She didn't speak. Her gaze remained fixed on Victoria—cold, unyielding, like ice. Though exhaustion had drained the color from her face, her eyes burned with quiet defiance. Victoria's lips twitched into a reluctant smirk.

"Why?" Victoria mused, tilting her head. "Why would someone still care about you in this state? It's pathetic, really. He can't take you with him. I've set my terms. If he wants you, he has to reveal himself—his true self."

She leaned in closer, her voice lowering to a conspiratorial whisper. "Others might be blind, but I'm not. I used my mother's connections to dig up his secrets. Mr. Jack? The underworld kingpin? The man everyone fears?" She laughed, sharp and mocking. "He's the one who murdered his own mother and was cast out of the Winslow family. That's right—Liam Blackwood."

Olivia's chest tightened. Victoria had uncovered Liam's past. But it wasn't surprising—Victoria had always been resourceful when it came to destruction.

"Now," Victoria continued, her eyes gleaming with cruel amusement, "do you think he'll choose you… or himself?"

Olivia closed her eyes briefly, exhaling slowly before meeting Victoria's gaze again. "His choice doesn't matter. My fate was sealed the moment you decided to play god. You claim Liam killed his mother, but that's a lie. What you've done, though—that's real. If you kill me, you're only signing your own death warrant. I won't be the only one walking into the dark."

Victoria flinched. Fear flickered in her eyes—just for a second—before it was swallowed by fury. She still cared about consequences. She had regretted it, in that split second when she pushed Beatrice down the stairs. But regret had been drowned out by rage.

If only Beatrice had loved her more. If only she hadn't chosen to discard her.

After Olivia returned, Victoria had made sure to remind Beatrice of Olivia's past with Daniel—always in that detached, innocent tone. "You and Daniel are married," she'd say, feigning concern. "Shouldn't you focus on your own life? I doubt Daniel would cheat. And even if he did, it's all in the past. Isn't it a bit excessive to dwell on it?"

She'd tilt her head, playing the voice of reason. "If there was ever anything between Daniel and Olivia, it would've happened long ago. Besides, Daniel barely socializes anymore. What's really bothering you? Have you forgotten how to forgive? Where's your trust? All my teachings… wasted. You've disappointed me."

Those words haunted her when she saw Beatrice lying at the foot of the stairs, bleeding but still breathing. In that moment, Victoria's mind had gone blank. She didn't call for help. She didn't try to save her. She just… watched.

Later, the regret came—not for killing her mother, but for ruining her own life. Convinced she had nothing left to lose, Victoria had lured Olivia here. How foolish Olivia had been, thinking the Ellingtons would ever want her back.

But then Liam had threatened to call the police—right in front of her.

Panic surged through Victoria. She wasn't ready to face the consequences. Not yet.

Olivia, however, remained eerily calm.

Victoria's patience snapped. She crouched down, gripping Olivia's chin with bruising force. "I've changed my mind," she hissed. "You should die. Why did you even come back? You ruined everything—my life, my marriage. So just die for me!"

She forced a handful of pills into Olivia's mouth. Olivia choked, trying to spit them out, but her fingers trembled too weakly to help. When Victoria saw her swallow, a slow, satisfied smile spread across her face.