âGet rid of Yvette, and I guarantee the Robertson family will thrive like never before. Youâll be the beloved daughter of the Robertson family once more, envied by all.â
Lionelâs words carried an inexplicable charm, making it hard not to fall for his seductions.
âIâll give you time to think it over. Once youâve made up your mind, call me.â
Alice stared at her phone in silence after the call ended abruptly. Her eyes flickered, clearly tempted by his offer.
But the image of Wilson fawning over that wretched Yvette earlier today haunted her. If it were discovered that she was behind it all, sheâd be utterly ruined!
Aliceâs eyes glinted with malice as a plan began to form. If she could manipulate Victoria into making a move against Yvette, then even if things went wrong, it would have nothing to do with her.
âAlice!â Victoria hurried after her with a worried expression. âPlease calm down. Thereâs got to be a way. Donât let your emotions get the best of youâyou shouldnât do anything reckless.â
Seeing Victoriaâs anxious face, a flash of spite flickered in Aliceâs eyes. However, she quickly hid it behind a mask of remorse.
âIâm sorry, Victoria. I lost control just now. I shouldnât have snapped at you.â
âItâs okay, Iâm not upset. I know you lost your temper because you were overwhelmed,â came Victoriaâs response.
âIâm so glad you understand me. You really are my best friend.â Alice linked her arm with Victoriaâs.
Although the formerâs expression was affectionate, her mind was already calculating her next move.
âYou saw what happened today, didnât you? Wilson only has eyes for Yvette now. Sheâs the one who pushed you and caused your injury, but Wilson still defended her.â
Alice let out a sigh, her voice dripping with feigned concern.
âI worry for you, Victoria. Yvette is vindictive. Sheâs gone after my family for one small mistake I made. Youâve been the only woman who received Wilsonâs care all these years. With Yvetteâs jealous nature, she definitely wonât let you off easily.â
âAlice, donât say that. Yvie isnât that kind of person.â Victoria bit her bottom lip, and before she could continue, Alice interrupted her coldly.
âVictoria, youâre just too kind. Thatâs why Yvette snatched Wilson away from you! Think about itâ
hasnât Wilsonâs attitude toward you changed since Yvette appeared?â
Hearing this, Victoria lowered her head in silence.
Noticing Victoriaâs demeanor, the malice in Aliceâs eyes deepened as she quickly continued, âVictoria, Iâm worried that sheâll use underhanded tactics against you in the future. Youâre kind, so you definitely canât compete with her. Sheâll always find ways to drive you away from Wilson.â
Victoriaâs face instantly turned pale, tears welling in her eyes as she realized the gravity of the situation. Wilson wouldnât do that to me.â
Seeing the worry and fear etched on Victoriaâs face, Alice continued to intimidate her. âThatâs not necessarily true. Youâve seen the attention Wilson pays Yvette now.
âVictoria, you have no one else to rely on besides Wilson. You canât just stand by and watch Yvette take H him away from you. If you lose Wilsonâs protection in the future, your fate-â
âAlice, please stop. I⦠I donât want to hear anymore!â Victoria pushed her away, her cheeks stained with tears.
âLionel is still in the hospital. I need to go back now. Be careful on your way, Alice.â
As she watched Victoria hurriedly leave, Alice let out a cold snort, her eyes gleaming with determination.
If she could brainwash Victoria a few more times, she would surely make her obedient. Using Victoria to deal with Yvette would be killing two birds with one stone.
A smug smile crept across Aliceâs lips. She believed herself to be the most clever person there was.
The next day, Madisonâs injuries had healed, and Yvette personally accompanied her back to school. âYouâve finally returned. We missed you so much!â
âThatâs right. Youâre finally back! We just couldnât get used to not having you around.â
When Madison returned from the hospital, her classmates enthusiastically approached her, except for Alice, who was nervous in her seat.
âThank you all. I missed you too while I was in the hospital,â Madison said warmly.
When she looked at Alice, her gaze instantly turned cold. âAlice, why didnât you welcome me back?
It seems like you donât want to see me.â
Aliceâs expression faltered but she had to force a stiff smile. âWelcome back to school.â
âYour welcome doesnât seem very sincere at all.â Madison touched her arm purposefully. Although her injuries had healed, many scars remained. It reminded her of how Alice had humiliated her.
âIâd really like to see you kneel to welcome me back.â
âYou-â Aliceâs face turned deathly pale with anger. How dare this lowly person from a mediocre family talk to her like that?
She was the esteemed daughter of the Robertson family. How could Alice kneel to such a worthless person?
âYvie, look at her!â
Yvette lazily cast Alice a sideways glance. Although she said nothing at all, Alice felt an invisible pressure permeating the air. Her back suddenly chilled, and her hatred deepened.
Alice cursed inwardly, that bitch Madison dared to act so arrogantly because of Yvetteâs support.
In the past, Alice would have had someone kill Madison. However, the Robertson family owed huge debts and faced bankruptcy, teetering on the brink of ruin, She could no longer act as recklessly as before. Every second in the classroom was akin to torture for Alice. As soon as the bell rang, she quickly packed her things and tried to rush out of the classroom.
But before she could take a step outside, a book came crashing down on her head with a heavy thud. Alice let out a miserable scream, her face contorted in pain. She turned back to find Yvetteâs icy gaze on her.
âTrying to leave? No way. Itâs time for me to settle the score with you,â Yvette hissed.