From Exile To Queen Of Everything - Chapter 51: Chapter 51

Linda couldn't believe how easily Aiden had taken Sienna at her word.
'At this rate, if Sienna pointed the finger at me, Aiden would believe her without a second thought. I can't let this go on any longer. I have to get rid of Sienna, no matter what,' Linda thought. 'Amber would make the perfect pawn.'
Linda fixed her intense gaze on Amber and said, "Amber, you've met Leo. Do you really think he and those men could have hurt your dad?
"Sienna's making baseless accusations without any proof. How heartbreaking. Amber, do you honestly believe those uncles would ever harm your father?"
Amber didn't catch her meaning and blurted out, "Didn't we just say they're the prime suspects? They left the company but wanted to come back, and when that didn't work, they played dirty. How despicable."
Linda's face turned ashen, the smile in her eyes vanishing in an instant. She shot Amber a vicious, menacing glare.
Amber was startled by Linda's vicious glare and instinctively ducked behind Sienna.
Sienna cast an icy glance at Linda before deliberately shifting her gaze to Aiden. "Dad, if you doubt my words, you can go and investigate yourself. They deliberately chose that spot because there were no surveillance cameras.
"I had to conduct door-to-door inquiries before I finally uncovered the truth. Mrs. Lambert, perhaps you should focus on gathering evidence."
Linda sputtered, still trying to defend herself.
Aiden roared, "Shut up. Linda, do I have to die before you'll believe me? If it weren't for you, those good-for-nothing scumbags would never have gotten into the company."
Linda was seething with silent fury. She thought furiously, "I'm absolutely certain it wasn't those people, but I can't prove it. Damn that Sienna."
Amber's eyes widened in shock again as Aiden lashed out at Linda.
Ever since Linda married Aiden, Aiden had believed whatever she said without question, and the two of them always put on a picture-perfect loving couple act.
Amber had always thought Aiden was blindly devoted to Linda. She never expected this to happen.
Sienna said, "Dad, since you're ill, you should rest well. I've arranged some entertainment for you. Performers will come to your room this evening to put on a show."
Aiden's face lit up with delight, his whole demeanor instantly brightening as a warm smile spread across his face. "How thoughtful of you, Sienna," he said.
Linda glared after Sienna and Aiden as they walked away, her eyes blazing with venomous jealousy and hatred.
She clenched her teeth, fists so tight her nails dug painfully into her palms. Only the sharp sting brought her back to reality.
Aiden glanced at her with clear disdain in his eyes. "You should leave too. There are caregivers here. I don't need you to take care of me."
Linda went pale with panic, her voice frantic. "Aiden, what did I do wrong? I'll change, I promise. Please don't send me away."
Aiden was already seething with anger after realizing that the people who beat him up were most likely Linda's relatives. Seeing her put on this pitiful, affected act only added fuel to the fire.
"Get out," Aiden snapped, his voice seething with anger. "I don't want to see your face. Get the hell out of here right now."
Linda's heart skipped a beat as a wave of dread washed over her. Before she could protest, the caregivers at the door yanked her out of the room.
Linda struggled and snapped, "Who the hell are you? What do you think you're doing? Let go of me. How dare you lay your hands on me? Do you have any idea who I am?"
Linda glared at those young, beautiful caregivers. Sienna hired them on purpose.
The only reason Linda kept rushing to the hospital to take care of Aiden was due to the caregivers Sienna hired.
'What is Sienna playing at? Every caregiver she hired is young and energetic, with sexy waists, long legs, flawless skin, and stunning looks,' Linda wondered. It instantly put her on high alert.
Though middle-aged, Aiden possessed an incomparably handsome face, chiseled yet refined, so striking that it made people easily overlook his age.
"Mrs. Lambert, we're here at Miss Hart's request to care for her father. Mr. Hart has just said he doesn't want you here, so we must ask you to leave now," one of them said.
Linda struggled violently and roared, "How dare you. Who do you think you are?"
Aiden didn't lift a finger to stop them, just letting the caregivers drag Linda away. Her mind was always stuck on the same petty schemes. He was long since fed up.
Vivian was invited to a company dinner, where Richard Wood personally offered her a toast. Flattered and slightly flustered, she quickly rose to her feet.
"Mr. Wood, I was just doing my job," Vivian said modestly.
Richard chuckled warmly and said, "Vivian, our company wouldn't be where it is today without you. You're truly our lucky star."
"Oh, Mr. Wood, really, I can't take the credit. The company's success is all thanks to your leadership and everyone's hard work," Vivian said.
Anya sat quietly to the side, seeing right through it all but keeping her thoughts to herself.
'This little company only caught the eye of SIE Corporation because of Vivian,' she mused. 'It's no exaggeration to say they've shot straight to the top. How could they not treat Vivian with the utmost respect?'
Today, after Vivian secured a new partnership, Richard threw a celebratory dinner in her honor.
Anya said, "Excuse me, you guys keep drinking. I'll just step out to the restroom."
Richard would never let anyone mess with Vivian, and Anya felt reassured.
"Mr. Wood, long time no see. What a surprise to find you dining here as well. Come, let's have a drink." A potbellied man approached with a drink in hand, slung his arm around Richard's shoulders, and burst out laughing.
"Peter, it's been a while. Join me for a drink," Richard smiled.
Peter's eyes immediately zeroed in on Vivian. 'Talk about things falling right into my lap,' he thought, licking his lips. The woman he'd been lusting after for days was standing right here.
Peter, emboldened by alcohol, sidled up to Vivian and placed his meaty hand heavily on her shoulder.
"You're Vivian, right? Fancy meeting you here again," Peter slurred, leaning in closer. "I'm—"
Before he could finish, Vivian slapped Peter's hand away from her shoulder with such force that he recoiled in pain.
Peter winced and pulled his hand back. 'Damn, she's got some strength. A real spitfire—I like that,' he thought, a lecherous grin spreading across his face.
"Peter, please keep your distance," Vivian warned.
Peter leaned in with a smirk and said, "Miss Hart, let's get acquainted. We're all in the same business circle, always good to expand one's network, right? I'm Peter. Come on, let's shake hands."
Vivian's usually sweet and gentle face hardened into an icy mask as she was about to refuse.
Richard stepped between them and deliberately shook Peter's hand. "Peter, if there's anything you want to discuss, just talk to me directly. We're old friends. No need to trouble my staff."
'That old lecher,' Richard fumed inwardly, 'how dare he lay eyes on my golden goose? Looking to die, not even watching where you're going?'
Peter's face clouded over. 'Richard, you idiot—can't even read the room,' he cursed inwardly. 'She's just some nobody. Does he really think he can shield her from me?'
Peter leered at Vivian and said, "You're right, Mr. Wood. We're old friends. Is this lovely lady one of your employees? She seems quite capable. Which department is she in?"
Richard smiled and said, "Vivian is our most valuable asset, Peter. Don't even think about poaching her. She's our key player."
Peter couldn't believe Richard was this stubborn, completely impenetrable.
Peter pulled Richard aside, leering at Vivian a few times. In a suggestive tone, he said, "Mr. Wood, didn't you always want to work with our company?
"I can offer you this percentage—but only if she brings the contract to my hotel room tonight. What do you think?"
Richard narrowed his eyes menacingly and disdainfully brushed Peter's hand away. Peter was incorrigible.
At his age, Peter was old enough to be Vivian's father, yet he still harbored such dirty thoughts.
Richard had zero tolerance for guys who abused their power at his company, recklessly sacrificing employees and letting them be humiliated.
First, he was not some profit-hungry bastard who'd sell out his principles. Second, this scumbag couldn't afford to lay a finger on Vivian.
"Peter, if there's nothing else, I won't keep you. This is a private company dinner for my staff, so please, take your leave," Richard said, his tone cold.
Peter was boiling with rage at Richard's ungrateful response. He spat, "Richard, I'm giving you one last chance. Did you even hear what I just said?
"Do you have any idea how big that is? Has your pathetic little company ever landed a deal this big?"
Peter jabbed a finger at Richard's shoulder and said, "Listen here, Richard. Partnering with me means partnering with Hart Corporation. We've had a multi-year partnership with them.
"You do know who they are, right? Ever since the company changed hands, they've skyrocketed and even acquired the well-known Junior Quinn Group."
Richard suddenly remembered Vivian's identity. 'Isn't she the second daughter of Hart Corporation?' he thought to himself. Richard became nervous and felt a distinct chill run down his spine.
'Oh my god, she's practically a big shot. Hart Corporation has emerged as the fastest-growing company recently, backed by the industry giant SIE Corporation. Holy crap, Vivian's sister is the boss of SIE Corporation,' Richard wondered.
Richard kept gulping nervously, his heart pounding so hard he feared it might burst.
Seeing how nervous Richard was, Peter thought his words had intimidated him. He burst into a smug laugh and slapped Richard hard on the shoulder.
Flushed with alcohol and confidence, Peter winked suggestively at Vivian before waddling away, his big belly protruding as he carried his drink.
At the door, Peter turned back and called out loudly for everyone to hear, "Mr. Wood, I'll give you some time to think it over. Don't forget. Room 608 tonight. I'll be waiting."
The whole table looked at Richard in utter bafflement, as he sat there completely dazed.
Richard had been lost in his own thoughts, unable to snap out of it. But Peter's voice jolted him back to reality. The implication behind those words hit him.
Richard quickly turned to Vivian and stammered, "It's nothing, just some business between us, and that's all. Everyone, please, keep eating. Don't mind us."
It dawned on everyone. 'So Mr. Wood and Peter had some dirty little secret between them,' they wondered.
Knowing better, no one asked any more questions.
After finishing her meal, Vivian sat in her seat, scrolling through her phone as she waited for Richard to wrap up the dinner.
[Everyone, don't forget about tomorrow night's class reunion, especially you, Vivian. You've skipped the last few years, always making excuses. No backing out this time. You must come.]
The group chat specifically tagged her.
Vivian didn't bother explaining herself this time. She simply ignored the group chat. 'Why should I go? I'm not close with any of them, and there's no classmate bond to speak of,' she thought dismissively.
Vivian quit the group chat without hesitation. The woman who'd just tagged her froze in shock.
The group chat instantly blew up. everyone was asking what happened, and some even started calling Vivian out for being rude and disrespecting her classmates.
Someone in the group chat sneered: [She must be doing too poorly to show her face at the class reunion.]
Vivian had no idea what they said after that, and honestly, she couldn't care less. She got her life to live, no need to care about what others thought.
Before, she lived entirely for others' approval, so insecure and sensitive that she went out of her way to please everyone, always afraid of offending anyone, especially Mason and his family.
Now, she thought it was utterly ridiculous. Instead of wasting time overthinking and worrying about others' opinions, she should focus on self-improvement.
Vivian had undergone a complete transformation ever since Sienna returned.
Vivian returned home to find all the lights on. A knowing smile graced her lips as warmth flooded her heart.
As Vivian reached the doorway, she came face to face with Jocelyn.
Jocelyn's face instantly twisted with loathing the moment she saw Vivian, shooting her a disdainful sidelong glance. "Vivian, looking pretty smug, aren't you? Or do you need me to remind you what you went through?"
Vivian knew exactly what Jocelyn was hinting at. She'd long suspected Jocelyn's involvement in that incident, but unfortunately, she had no evidence.
Those guys were nothing but scum. Someone must have tipped them off, and that was how Vivian ended up getting kidnapped.
Vivian wore a pale blue dress that accentuated her graceful and poised demeanor. Her delicate innocence and sweet appearance could easily tug at anyone's heartstrings.
Yet in Jocelyn's eyes, these very traits were the most detestable symbols she could imagine.
'How dare she live such a charmed life?' Jocelyn seethed inwardly.
"Jocelyn, do you know what you look like right now?" Vivian leaned in close, her eyes flashing with something almost manic as she lowered her voice to a venomous whisper, every word dripping with sarcasm.
Vivian sneered, 'Like a snake.'
Jocelyn's eyes widened in shock as she glared at Vivian, her face contorted with barely contained rage. Her fingers clenched into white-knuckled fists.
Jocelyn sneered, "Vivian, I don't believe you've really moved on. Can you honestly say you've let go of everything that happened to you? If I were you, I'd have killed myself long ago.
"How can you have the nerve to go on living with such a filthy body after all that?"
Jocelyn knew every sordid detail of what had happened to Vivian. She'd watched all those humiliating videos and photos from the abduction, and made damn sure to keep her copies just in case.
If Vivian ever needed a reminder, Jocelyn could graciously let her relive those wonderful memories.
"Jocelyn, you can never be like me, but you can just drop dead. No one's stopping you. Die however you want. Just make sure you do it far away, so you don't stain my sight with your filth," Vivian sneered.
Jocelyn's face flushed livid, then turned pale, cycling through a whole spectrum of furious colors. Her neck veins bulged with rage, breath coming in ragged gasps as she stamped her foot hard.
"Vivian, you bitch. You fucking bitch," Jocelyn shrieked.
'When did Vivian get so sharp-tongued?' Jocelyn fumed inwardly. 'How dare she? The Hart family, if you treat me without mercy, don't blame me for fighting back.'
Vivian strode into Sienna's room and threw herself into her sister's arms, nuzzling her fluffy head against Sienna's shoulder. "I missed you, Sienna," she murmured affectionately.
Sienna set her papers aside and gently patted Vivian's head. "What's wrong? Are you tired? I had Elisa make some soup. I'll have her bring it up for you."
Vivian beamed, her eyes crinkling with joy. "Thanks, Sienna," she said sweetly.
Amber couldn't resist her curiosity when she saw Vivian walk into Sienna's room. As she passed by, she slowed her steps and stole a glance inside, since the door was ajar.
Amber caught sight of Vivian clinging to Sienna, acting all cute and clingy. Biting her lip, Amber thought furiously, 'How shameless. Seriously? Playing cute at her age, how pathetic.'
"Sienna, can I stay with you tonight?" Vivian asked.
Amber nearly ground her teeth to dust when she heard that.
'Still needs someone to sleep with her? How shameless,' Amber thought. 'Come on, she's not a toddler. Even little kids don't need someone to stay with them at night.
'Vivian is already twenty-five. At her age, still putting on this cute act in front of Sienna. What a ridiculous show.'