Chapter 2

• [Gianna POV]
• That evening at the family dinner, I sat at the end of the long table.
• Mrs. Vance had left early with the doctor due to angina in the afternoon.
• The huge dining room was now only occupied by me, Violet, and this so-called "Damian".
• Violet sat next to the head of the table, acting like the lady of the house.
• She would occasionally shoot me victorious glances, full of provocation in her words.
• As she cut into her steak, she said with feigned concern, "Gianna, you look pale today."
• "Are you thinking about Vincent again? After all, today is the anniversary of his death."
• I pretended to be sad and replied, "Yes, we were only married for a month and he passed away so suddenly. I still can't accept it."
• Violet sighed, "Losing a husband is indeed a huge blow for a woman. But you're still young and will meet the right person to start over."
• I knew what she was implying.
• In her eyes, I should graciously step aside and make way for her and Vincent.
• The fake Damian walked over slowly, took a seat at the head of the table, and listened to our conversation expressionlessly.
• Violet suddenly put down her knife and fork, her voice sharp, "Speaking of starting over, Gianna, do you have any plans? I mean, about your future."
• I pretended not to understand, "What do you mean?"
• Her tone became more direct, "I think you shouldn't stay here all the time. You're always immersed in past pain, and it will destroy you."
• Vincent put down his glass and looked at Violet.
• "I suggest you consider moving out," Violet continued, "Living independently will be good for you. Of course, the Vance family won't let you leave with nothing."
• I looked at her, not saying a word.
• Finally, Vincent spoke with impatience in his voice, "We will provide you with enough money to live on. To start afresh outside."
• I remained silent for a long time, and finally spoke softly.
• "Sounds like you've got it all figured out?"
• Violet flashed a fake sympathetic smile, "We're all just looking out for you. You don't want to live in the shadows forever, do you?"
• The dinner ended in a tense atmosphere, and I got up to go back to my room to rest.
• "Gianna, wait." Violet suddenly called out to me.
• She followed me towards the spiral staircase.
• At the top of the stairs, she deliberately blocked my path.
• "Let's talk in private," her tone no longer disguised with gentleness, but filled with naked malice.
• "Talk about what?"
• Violet smirked coldly, "Let's talk about the fact that you should get lost. A widow without background or value, how long do you think you can stay in the Vance family?"
• I looked at her quietly, without arguing.
• She extended her left hand, wearing a huge diamond ring on her ring finger.
• "See this? Damian gave it to me yesterday. We will be engaged soon, then married, and I will be the only mistress here."
• As I looked at the ring, a wave of mocking coldness surged in my heart.
• "You should leave gracefully. While you still have a little dignity. Otherwise—"
• Just then, footsteps came from the stairs.
• Vincent's figure appeared at the bottom of the stairs, walking towards us.
• Violet saw him, a hint of smugness flashing in her eyes.
• "Damian!" she sweetly called out, "I was just chatting with Gianna."
• Vincent looked up at us, his face showing that familiar indifference.
• In that moment, Violet's face suddenly twisted.
• "Don't push me!" she suddenly let out a piercing scream.
• She grabbed my wrist and forcefully hit herself.
• Then, she fell backwards, tumbling down the last few steps.
• She landed with a painful groan, curling up on the cold marble floor.
• Her hands tightly protected her abdomen, and under her skirt, a trace of bright red blood slowly seeped out.
• "My child!" she screamed in pain, "My child!"
• Vincent witnessed it all, his eyes instantly turning red.
• He rushed over to pick up Violet, not even looking at me.
• "Get a doctor! Call a doctor immediately!"
• The servants rushed over, and the whole house fell into chaos.
• Then Vincent turned to me, his eyes filled with anger and hatred like I had never seen before.
• His voice roared like it came from hell:
• "You witch! How dare you try to harm her!"
• I stood at the top of the stairs, looking down at this absurd performance.
• It was all a carefully designed trap.
• From Violet's provocation, to Vincent's timely appearance, and then her "accidental" fall.
• Every step was calculated perfectly, even the pool of blood was probably fake.
• The butler hurriedly came over, reporting anxiously, "Sir, the doctor is on the way and will be here soon!"
• Vincent held Violet, his voice trembling: "Take her to the guest room. Be very careful."
• Violet weakly leaned against him, tears streaming down her cheeks.
• But in an angle where Vincent couldn't see, she gave me a smug look.
• At that moment, Vincent suddenly pointed at me, shouting fiercely, "Drag her to the attic storage room and lock her up!"
• The bodyguard heard the order and instantly rushed over, pinning me down.
• "Take away all her communication devices! Without my permission, she is not allowed to take a single step out of the room! I need to think carefully about how to deal with this crazy woman!"