Chapter 247
Sean let out a low, humorless laugh. A flicker of loneliness passed through his eyes. “Putting things in my head? You’re overthinking it. I haven’t spoken to her in a long time.”
Mrs. Jasper Sr.’s tone turned commanding. “Then stop being difficult and go on the date.”
Sean turned toward the stairs. As he walked away, he tossed back two flat words without looking: “Not happening.”
“You’re completely out of line!” she yelled at his retreating back.
Vivian moved to calm her. She gently patted Mrs. Jasper Sr.’s back. “Grandma, don’t get worked up.”
Mrs. Jasper Sr. steadied her breath, clearly upset. “Vivian, just look at your brother. That attitude! He used to be so respectful. He never spoke to me like this.”
Vivian lowered her voice, all sweet and sugary. “Exactly, ever since Charlotte came into his life, he hasn’t been the same. He’s never talked back to you like this before, She must’ve turned him against you.”
“You really think Charlotte’s to blame?” Mrs. Jasper Sr. asked.
“Of course, Grandma. Every time her name comes up, he acts like a different person. What else could it be if not her manipulating him?”
“Well, I wouldn’t go that far, Vivian,” Lucinda chimed in from the couch, cracking open a sunflower seed, her tone light but unmistakably sharp. “Did you hide under their bed and overhear her saying something manipulative?”
Vivian’s expression soured. She turned to glare. “Of course not, but—
Lucinda cut her off smoothly. “Did she whisper poison in your ear? Confess some grand scheme to turn Sean against the family?”
Vivian clenched her jaw. “No.”
“Well then.” Lucinda smiled sweetly. “Isn’t it funny how you didn’t see it, didn’t hear it, but you’re so sure it happened? Sounds to me like you’re the one trying to stir the pot.”
Lucinda was no pushover. Born into the prestigious Lambert family and now one of the country’s biggest A–list actresses, she carried herself with the confidence of someone who never had to play nice with anyone–least of all the Jaspers‘ adopted daughter.
Lucinda had never taken Vivian seriously.
She had seen through her from the start. Even back in their teens, Vivian had that polished, sweet–as–l
s–honey act but Lucinda could spot a two–faced girl from a mile away. Always pulling little stunts to get Sean’s attention, acting innocent while clearly scheming.
Sean might have been too dense to notice, but Lucinda
saw
through it from day
words and wide eyes years ago.
And now, everything was proving her right.
Vivian really was a master at playing sweet while stirring
the
pot.
Vivian’s act finally cracked. She glared at Lucinda. “What’s
‘s your problem with me?”
Lucinda grinned like she had all the time in the world. “Exactly what I said, sweetheart.”
Vivian was just about to snap when she suddenly remembered softening her voice.
“Lucinda, do you have something against me?”
Jasper Sr. was still sitting right there. She quickly switched gears, putting on a pitiful face and
Lucinda rolled her eyes. “Obviously. You blind or just pretending? I can’t stand two- faced people.”
Vivian’s expression stiffened. “What did I ever do to you? Why are you being so hostile?”
Lucinda smiled sweetly, her tone dripping with condescension. “Oh honey, not only are you blind, you’re deaf too.‘
She leaned forward and deliberately enunciated each word, her volume rising
“1. Can’t. Stand Two–faced, People.”
Beaming like the sun, she tilted her head and added in a syrupy voice, “Did you catch that, sweetheart?”
”
