Chapter 434

Just as Victoria was about to put down her phone, it rang. Hesitating for a moment, she debated whether to answer. To her surprise, it was Daniel calling. Since their separation, Daniel had moved abroad, completely unaware of the ongoing Ellington family drama. His direct, no-nonsense tone pressured Victoria to finalize their divorce without delay.

Victoria's carefully constructed mask of indifference cracked at the urgency in his voice. A sudden wave of sorrow threatened to overwhelm her.

Irritation flared within her. Was Daniel that desperate to divorce her? Did he truly loathe her so much? Annoyed by his eagerness, Victoria lost her composure and lashed out sarcastically over the phone.

"Daniel, you're utterly spineless. Off gallivanting while Olivia suffers. Do you even know what she's going through?"

A tense silence followed before Daniel's concerned voice broke through. "What did you do to her?"

Victoria attempted to laugh, but tears betrayed her first. "Still pretending there's nothing between you two? Then why do you care so much about her?"

Daniel exhaled heavily, his voice thick with emotion. "Victoria, when I married you, all I wanted was a peaceful life together. But you've never trusted me. I did love you once—do you believe that?"

Those simple words nearly shattered Victoria completely. Regret stabbed at her heart. Perhaps things could have been different. But it was too late now—the damage was irreversible.

Steeling herself, Victoria shouted, "Stop lying to me! I see everything. You and Olivia are having an affair, aren't you? But it doesn't matter anymore. She'll get what's coming to her."

After hanging up, Victoria immediately texted Daniel a link to an online video. Within minutes, her phone exploded with frantic calls and messages from him. Without hesitation, she blocked his number.

Undeterred, Daniel called from different numbers, bombarding her with pleas. Each message she read only deepened her despair. He kept insisting nothing existed between him and Olivia, yet his excessive concern told a different story. Fine. From now on, she vowed to make both their lives hell.

Victoria typed another message, this time to Evelyn. "Can you contact that journalist we used before? I need him to run a story tomorrow claiming Olivia's been secretly seeing my husband. When I confronted her, she fought with my mother and pushed her down the stairs in my absence."

Evelyn replied casually at first, then paused. "Wait...did you know your mother actually died from a fall down the stairs?"

Victoria froze. "I didn't know. I made it up. The details don't matter—just have him report that. No more questions."

Evelyn sensed something amiss but held her tongue. Their temporary alliance had one purpose: to destroy Olivia. Nothing else was relevant.

The day of the press conference arrived swiftly. The venue attracted not just reporters, but a significant police presence as well.

Liam had organized this event without bothering to inform Olivia. As he left, Olivia remained secluded in her room, completely unaware of what was about to unfold.