Chapter 518
Lavinia. Matthew’s wife. Anthony’s mother.
The second Selena spotted her, she couldn’t help but frown, her eyes flashing with irritation. Lavinia was one of those women spoiled by her husband, all pride and attitude, never bothering to mingle with the other ladies in their circle.
Was she really not planning to deal with this at all?
Selena tried to swallow her frustration and stepped forward, forcing a polite smile as she reached out a hand. “It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other.”
She might not like Lavinia, but she was still Anthony’s mom. No point burning bridges, not when there was still a chance for Melissa and Anthony in the future.
Lavinia barely glanced at Selena’s hand. She didn’t even pretend to be interested. Instead, she gave Selena a cold, almost mocking smile. “Selena, we’ve hardly met. This polite chit-chat feels fake. Let’s just skip it, alright?”
Selena’s words died in her throat. Dorothy looked just as uncomfortable. They both knew Lavinia’s reputation for being blunt, but this was a whole new level.
Dorothy cleared her throat and tried to step in with a smile, hoping to smooth things over. “Lavinia, Anthony’s girlfriend has Melissa locked up at the police station and is threatening to get her sentenced to life. Charlotte really crossed a line this time. Melissa’s parents are here to work things out. Why don’t you listen to what they have to say?”
Lavinia didn’t answer right away. She walked over to a chair, sat down with her teacup, and gave Dorothy a cool, steady look.
“Dorothy.”
Dorothy met her gaze, still smiling, though it was getting harder to keep it up. “Lavinia.”
“Is Melissa your daughter?”
Dorothy tensed, her smile faltering. Before she could say anything, Lavinia spoke again.
“Or is Anthony your son?”
Neither.”
“Then what does any of this have to do with you?” Lavinia set down her cup, her eyes cold and unreadable. “Lavinia
“This isn’t your business,” Lavinia said, her voice suddenly sharp. “If you’re curious, you can sit back and watch. Otherwise, you can leave.”
Dorothy was left speechless. She opened her mouth, thought better of it, then just glanced helplessly at the stunned Selena and went to sit quietly off to the side.
Everyone in the Blair family knew Lavinia liked the finer things, but when she was angry, nobody dared cross her. Melissa wasn’t worth the trouble.
With Dorothy out of the way, Lavinia turned to Melissa’s parents, her tone suddenly casual. “So, my son’s had Melissa
fiancee thrown whe
and wants her locked up for life?”
“That’s right,” Selena jumped in, eager to explain. “Charlotte—”
She stopped herself, finally realizing what Lavinia just said: “my son’s fiancée.” Lavinia, who never approved of any of Cabinda’
socialites or heiresses, was now calling some country girl her son’s fiancée?
“What about her?” Lavinia cut in, a cold, thin smile on her lips. “I think she did exactly the right thing.”
“What?” Selena stared at her, face pale one moment and red the next.
“Melissa went around telling
everyone she was going to be the next Mrs. Blair. Then she got jealous of Lottie and tried to ruin her reputation online. When that didn’t work, she hired someone to run ber Over Lavinia’s voice was crystal clear, her words deliberate. “Any one of those things is enough for a life sentence. Honestly, she’s getting off easy.”