The Stand-In Who Burned the Script novel Chapter 262

Chapter 262

After two seconds of silence, Vivian raised her hands.

Unhurriedly, she clapped a few times in a slow, mocking rhythm.

“No wonder people say Miss Gifford is so capable. The regulatory authorities haven’t even released their findings, yet you have the audacity to claim you run the show. Who gave you that kind of confidence?”

Grace opened her mouth to argue, then decided it was pointless to explain too much.

She let out a cold scoff.

“All you have left is a stubborn mouth.”

She crossed her arms, adopting a haughty, domineering posture. “Growing up in a minor family like the Fairchilds, you probably don’t realize this, but the true upper echelon doesn’t casually step on each other’s toes. The Fowlers and the Giffords have both made their move. Silas won’t help you. The only person you can beg for mercy now is me.”

If Silas intervened, he would be declaring war on two powerful families.

While he was a gentleman, he was also coldly rational. He would never take a risk like that and drag the entire Sterling family down with him.

“So, all that slander and defamation online… that was your doing?”

“What do you think?”

Grace flashed a triumphant smile, her eyes brimming with disdain. “Were you hoping to say you recorded this conversation to trap me?”

Oh, she was quite clever.

Unfortunately for her, Vivian hadn’t recorded a thing.

She sighed with exaggerated regret. “Well, it looks like you win.”

The smugness in Grace’s eyes deepened. Just as she was about to rub it in further, she heard the woman’s eerie, melodious voice again.

“But I have this little habit. If I’m going down, I’m taking someone with me. So, I must apologize in advance to your father.”

Grace’s heart skipped a beat, a sudden sense of dread washing over her.

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing much.”

Vivian sighed. “I just accidentally overheard a little secret recently. It turns out your father didn’t spend all that time abroad for work after all…”

Panic began to claw at Grace’s chest, but she forced a steady tone. “What nonsense are you spewing?”

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10:35

Chapter 262

“Is it really nonsense?”

Vivian chuckled softly. “Last year, there was a period when the Gifford household was in absolute chaos because Geoffrey had another woman on the side. Jillian threw a massive fit, demanding blood. Eventually, she secured a property agreement. While I don’t know the exact terms, it must have been an ironclad guarantee to finally pacify her.”

“But the peace didn’t last. A couple of months ago, Geoffrey found out that his mistress had secretly given birth to his child and was using the baby to blackmail him.”

As she spoke, she relished watching the color drain from Grace’s face inch by inch.

So pale.

“But I have to admit, Mrs. Gifford is a woman who can handle a crisis. This time, she didn’t bat an eye. Geoffrey, on the other hand, was furious at the relentless extortion. A man who has stood at the top of the food chain his whole life doesn’t take kindly to being manipulated. So…”

Vivian stood up straight and took a slow, deliberate step toward Grace.

She looked her dead in the eyes.

“Geoffrey went abroad recently for two reasons. First, to settle his newborn illegitimate son, and second… to permanently tie up some deadly loose ends.”

Grace’s fingertips trembled. The smug smile was completely wiped from her face.

“You’re talking crazy… this is absolute lunacy! Aren’t you afraid the Gifford family lawyers will sue you

into oblivion?”

“Am I talking crazy? You know the truth better than I do. If I can list these details so perfectly, it’s because I have hard evidence.” Vivian smiled, looking dangerously beautiful. “What was it you said a moment ago? Whether Astra Media reopens is up to you? Well, whether your father rots in a prison cell… is up to me.”