The Stand-In Who Burned the Script novel Chapter 23

Vivian turned her head. The woman stood there in a simple white dress, her makeup pristine, her long hair draped naturally over her collarbones. Aside from the cold, venomous look on her face, she really did play the part of a refined, well-educated socialite.

Amara locked her eyes onto Vivian and spoke again before Vivian could utter a word.

"No wonder Dad said he couldn't find you these past two days. You were busy harassing my mother? I thought you looked down on us?"

"Amara..."

Penelope frowned, shaking her head in disapproval, signaling her to stop.

"Mom!" Amara closed the distance in two steps and linked arms with Penelope. When she turned back, her glare looked ready to impale Vivian. "You have no idea how she treats me... And she actually wants the Stella Pendant? Dream on!"

Vivian clenched her fists, fighting hard to keep her emotions in check.

She really should have checked her horoscope before leaving the house today.

The fact that the Stella Pendant was with Amara was an unpleasant surprise;

Amara showing up at this exact moment was an even worse one.

But since she was already here, she had to play her hand. Vivian met her gaze and said coolly, "Name your price."

"My price?" Amara scoffed. "Strictly speaking, I'm Dad's favorite daughter now. I have everything I could ever want. You just happen to share some blood with us. What right do you have to negotiate with me?"

She patted her mother's shoulder gently and stood up.

Step by step, she walked right up to Vivian.

Raising a single finger, she hooked it under Vivian's chin.

"We can make a deal... but honestly, you don't have a single thing I want. How about... you just ruin that pretty face of yours?"

"..." Vivian stared at her without blinking, remaining completely silent.

The sheer intensity of that gaze sent a chill down Amara's spine.

She dropped her hand and casually took two steps back, masking her unease. "Aside from that, I won't accept any other form of exchange."

"Shouldn't have?" Amara snapped her head toward her mother, her eyes instantly welling with angry, uncontrollable tears.

"Mom, I listened to you! I tried to build a relationship with her! And what did I get? Nothing but constant humiliation! I don't understand... Dad clearly cares about us more! Why refuse to go back to the Fairchild estate? Why won't you just let me kick that little bitch out?"

Penelope's expression shifted, and she looked away.

"You are family!"

"You tell me to treat her like family, but does she ever treat me like family?!" Amara yanked her hand away, her eyes brimming with pure disappointment. "Mom... all these years of chanting scriptures have made you soft. What is there to fear from her? You never used to be like this! I barely even recognize you anymore!"

She stared intensely at her mother as she spoke.

But she received no answer.

Disappointed, Amara shook her head and ran off.

Penelope watched her daughter's retreating figure, her face deathly pale. She couldn't utter a single word; only the prayer beads in her hand spun faster and faster.