Chapter 6 Scarlett’s Plan  

“Granddaughter.” Marcus’s voice pulled Scarlett out of her thoughts once again.

Marcus stepped closer and touched her hand with deep concern. “Are you feeling unwell? You’ve looked so pale ever since we started.”

Scarlett looked up at her grandfather with an awkward smile. “I’m fine, Grandfather.”

In her past life, Marcus had been one of the people she respected the most. But respect didn’t mean she could place her full trust in him so freely, not yet, at least. She still couldn’t be sure if everyone and everything around her was exactly as she remembered.

“I just feel a little light-headed, that’s all. I’ll be okay,” she said, squeezing his hand in return, trying to reassure the old man that she didn’t need extra attention.

Just as Marcus was about to speak again, the sharp crash of breaking glass suddenly echoed through the hall.

Crash!

The sound of a glass falling and shattering against the floor rang out loud and clear, cutting through the quiet of the grand room. Every head turned toward the source of the noise. Viviane stood there, her face ashen, hands trembling, with shards of glass scattered all around her feet.

“Oh, I’m so sorry!” she cried out. “My hand slipped. Sister, Grandfather, please forgive me. I never meant to cause such a disturbance at such an important event. Please don’t be angry with me, Sister.”

She lowered her head, looking so ashamed that she seemed unable to lift her face. Several guests immediately began to voice their sympathy for her.

“Poor Viviane… she must be so nervous.”

“Come now, it was just a glass.”

“I hope Scarlett won’t be cross with her.”

“Oh dear, I hope she doesn’t get punished. I’ve heard Scarlett can be terribly harsh toward her.”

Scarlett heard every word, and every single one of them painted her as the villain. Back then, in her previous life, she would have rushed straight over to Viviane, helped her up, and said something in a tone that sounded like a lecture or a reprimand. Viviane would then burst into tears, and everyone present would see Scarlett as nothing more than a cruel older sister.

But this time, Scarlett didn’t move an inch. She simply observed where the glass had fallen, the way Viviane’s hands shook, and how her younger sister kept her head bowed while glancing sideways at the guests every few seconds.

It was painfully obvious to Scarlett, Viviane was waiting for her reaction. She was waiting for Scarlett to step forward with those familiar words of advice or scolding words Viviane could twist and use against her. She wanted Scarlett to do something that could be framed as proof of how badly her older sister treated her.

‘So she’s finally making her move. But this time, I won’t play your game, little sister.’

Slowly, Scarlett smiled, a calm, faint smile. “Don’t worry about it, Viviane. Accidents like that can happen to anyone, at any time.”

Viviane lifted her head slowly, looking confused, her brow furrowed in puzzlement.

“Attendants, please clean up this broken glass. And check my sister’s hands carefully, I wouldn’t want her to get hurt.”

Several servants hurried over at once, some attended to Viviane, while others quickly swept up the shattered pieces. The hall filled with whispers once more, but this time, the tone was different, and every eye was fixed on Scarlett again.

“Since when has Scarlett ever been this kind to Viviane?”

“I really thought she’d scold her, just like she always does.”

“Maybe we’ve misjudged her all this time.”

Scarlett let the whispers spread and swirl around her until they nearly filled the room, acting as if she heard nothing at all. She didn’t need to defend herself in front of everyone.

Viviane still tried to keep up her sad, sorrowful expression. But the thoughts running through her mind were loud and clear to Scarlett.

‘What is going on here? Why isn’t she angry? Normally she’d be blaming me right away, lecturing me with all those self-righteous words she loves so much! Why isn’t she falling for it?’

She looked back at Viviane, her expression soft and gentle. “Go along with the attendants now. Make sure your hands are properly checked. This event is far from over, after all, there are still many guests who haven’t arrived yet.”

Viviane froze for a split second, she knew exactly who Scarlett was referring to. Her eyes darted quickly toward the guests, landing on Levi’s seat, which still stood empty. She stood there in silence for a moment, before finally turning to follow the servants.

Scarlett met her gaze calmly, then turned her attention back to the hall. More and more guests were arriving now, greeting the elders, most of whom had already taken their seats. Levi was one of those expected to come.

‘Let Viviane feel uneasy. Let her wonder if I’ve already seen right through every single one of her plans.’

For the first time, Scarlett truly understood, fighting against someone cunning and malicious didn’t mean you had to strike back at every single attack they made. Sometimes, the best move was to let your opponent believe they were still the one in control.

Yet, deep down, Scarlett still felt far from calm. There were too many things she didn’t know yet, how Viviane had gotten hold of that poisonous potion, how far her sister’s schemes had advanced, or why, and when her own sharp, wolf-like instincts had suddenly faded away.

So many secrets still lay hidden.

‘Viviane, I’m going to find out exactly what you’re really after… who has been helping you… and why you want to destroy me so desperately. This time, I’m going to strip away every last one of your masks… right here, in front of everyone.’