After the tense breakfast, Luna left for the office, determined to push away the unease that lingered from her father's cold demeanor and Vivienne's veiled hostility. The ride to the office was quiet, the city passing by in a blur as she focused on preparing herself mentally for the day ahead. She knew she couldn't afford to let her guard down, not with so many eyes watching her every move, waiting for her to stumble.
Meanwhile, back at the Ross estate, the atmosphere had taken a decidedly more emotional turn. As soon as Luna and John had left, Camille's composure crumbled. She threw herself into Vivienne's arms, her tears falling freely as she sobbed with a mixture of frustration and despair.
"Mother, it's not fair!" Camille cried, her voice thick with emotion. "Why should Luna get everything? She's the heir, she gets all of Father's attention, and now she's marrying Kiad Rylan? It's just not fair!" Her words were punctuated by desperate sobs, each one shaking her slender frame.
Vivienne held her daughter close, stroking her hair in a soothing manner, though her own thoughts were far from calm. The sight of her daughter in such distress stirred a deep anger within her, not just at the situation, but at Luna herself. How dare that girl, the daughter of that woman, come between Camille and her happiness? Vivienne had tolerated Luna's position as John's heir because she had no other choice, but this? This was too much.
"Hush, my darling," Vivienne murmured, her voice low and comforting. "I know it's unfair. I know how much this hurts you. But you mustn't worry, my sweet. We'll find a way to fix this."
Camille pulled back slightly, her tear-streaked face filled with a desperate hope. "But how, Mother? How can we stop this? Father is so determined, and Luna—she just does whatever he says. She doesn't care about Kiad the way I do. She doesn't even deserve him!"
Vivienne's eyes narrowed, her mind already working on a plan. She had always known how to manipulate situations to her advantage, how to get John to see things her way without him even realizing it. It was a skill she had honed over years of marriage, a necessary one when married to a man as strong-willed as John Ross.
"You're right, Camille," Vivienne agreed, her voice laced with a cunning edge. "Luna doesn't deserve someone like Kiad. She's too focused on business, on being the heir. She wouldn't appreciate him, wouldn't love him the way you would."
Camille nodded fervently, her tears slowing as she clung to her mother's words. "Exactly, Mother. Luna doesn't care about anything but the Ross name. Kiad needs someone who will cherish him, who will be there for him. That someone should be me."
Vivienne smiled, though there was nothing warm about it. "And it will be, my dear. But we must be smart about this. Your father is set on this marriage because it strengthens the Ross family's position. But perhaps, if he saw that you were the better choice, that you would bring even more benefit to the family, he might reconsider."
"But how do we make him see that?" Camille asked, her voice trembling with a mixture of hope and fear. "Father barely listens to me. He only cares about Luna."
"Leave that to me," Vivienne said, her tone firm. "Your father may be stubborn, but I know how to get through to him. I'll make him see that you, not Luna, are the right choice for Kiad."
Camille sniffled, wiping her eyes as she gazed up at her mother with a mixture of trust and desperation. "Do you really think you can do it, Mother? Can you really convince him?"
Vivienne cupped Camille's face in her hands, her expression one of steely determination. "I've done more difficult things, my love. For you, I'll do whatever it takes. Kiad will be yours, and Luna… well, she'll have to learn that she can't have everything."
"But what if Father won't listen?" Camille whispered, her voice wavering as doubt crept back in.
Vivienne's eyes darkened, her lips curling into a cruel smirk. "He will listen. And if not willingly, then I'll make sure he has no choice. I'll remind him of the mistakes he made with Luna's mother. I'll remind him of his guilt, of how he's tried to make up for it by giving Luna everything. But I'll also make him see that he's going too far, that by pushing you aside, he's repeating the same mistakes. He'll come around, Camille. He always does."
Camille's sobs finally quieted as she listened to her mother's words, her faith in Vivienne's abilities slowly restoring her confidence. Vivienne had always managed to get what she wanted, and Camille had no reason to doubt her now. If anyone could turn this situation around, it was her mother.
"But what about Luna?" Camille asked, her voice small and uncertain. "What if she fights back? What if she won't step aside?"
Vivienne's expression turned icy, her eyes flashing with a deep-seated loathing that she usually kept well-hidden. "Luna won't be a problem. She's too focused on proving herself as the heir. She doesn't understand love the way you do, Camille. She doesn't have the same fire, the same passion. If she gets in our way… well, there are ways to deal with her."
The way Vivienne spoke sent a shiver down Camille's spine, but she didn't question it. Her mother had always protected her, had always known what to do. If Vivienne said Luna wouldn't be a problem, then Camille believed her.
"Just trust me, my darling," Vivienne cooed, pulling Camille into another embrace. "We'll make this right. You'll have Kiad, and everything will fall into place. But you must be patient and let me handle things. Can you do that?"
Camille nodded against her mother's shoulder, her tears finally drying up as she allowed herself to believe in Vivienne's promises. "Yes, Mother. I trust you."
Vivienne smiled, a cold, calculating smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Good. Now, dry your tears and go get some rest. You need to look your best when we start putting our plan into motion. We'll show everyone that you're the true Ross heir, in every way that matters."
As Camille left the room, her steps lighter now that she had her mother's reassurance, Vivienne remained seated, her mind racing with thoughts and strategies. She had never liked Luna, never forgiven her for being the daughter of the woman who had once held John's heart. But until now, she had tolerated her presence, knowing that John's guilt over Luna's mother's departure made him fiercely protective of his daughter.
But this… this was different. Luna might have the title of heir, but Camille was Vivienne's daughter, her true successor. And if that meant going to war with Luna, then so be it. Vivienne had always known that the Ross empire was built on power, on ruthlessness. She had no intention of letting some sentimental attachment stand in the way of what was rightfully hers and Camille's.
As she sat there, plotting her next move, Vivienne allowed herself a small, satisfied smile. She had always known how to play this game, how to get what she wanted without ever getting her hands dirty. And this time would be no different.
Luna might be the Ross heir, but she was still just a girl, naive and unprepared for the kind of battle Vivienne was ready to wage. Vivienne would make sure that by the time this was over, there would be no doubt about who truly controlled the Ross empire.
With a final, determined glance toward the door through which Camille had left, Vivienne rose from her seat, her mind already crafting the words she would use to sway John to her side. This was just the beginning, and she intended to see it through to the end, no matter the cost.