Aria glanced at Vivienne, then at Leonard. She knew she couldn't pretend anymore. But so what? They had no solid evidence against her. Besides, she had already obtained what she wanted. Aria retorted coldly, "You want me to examine my conscience? Well, what about you and Leonard? Why don't you examine yours? You could have saved my father and brother from prison, yet you did nothing. I'm heartless? What does that make you?"
Vivienne was genuinely amused by Aria's response this time. She hadn't expected Aria to think this way. It seemed Aria was quite skilled at pretending. Her worldview was utterly skewed. Why would they save murderers? Breaking the law meant facing consequences, like imprisonment!
Before Vivienne could lecture Aria, Leonard stopped her, looking at Aria intently. "Keep going, I want to hear your grievances."
"Fine, If you want to hear it, I'll spell it out," Aria declared, knowing the pretense was over. There was no point in preserving any dignity now. "You think you've been kind to my family, but I see it as mere superficiality, a way to pacify my father and me! Your Snow family is prosperous, living in luxury, and yet, did you ever consider sharing your wealth with me? Of course not! Everything goes to Melanie! You claim to care for me, but in reality, you've never been kind to me! You…"
A sharp slap interrupted Aria's tirade.
Melanie's face was stern. "Are you insane? Leonard is my father, Vivienne is my mother! They are not your parent. Why should they share their wealth with you? They owe you nothing! You think the world revolves around you? Delusional!"
Melanie was baffled by Aria's twisted logic.
Aria was stunned for a few seconds from the slap. Regaining her senses, she lunged at Melanie, "How dare you hit me, you bitch!"
Asher reacted swiftly, pulling Melanie behind him and kicking Aria, sending her crashing to the ground.
"..."
Asher apologized to Leonard, "Sorry, I didn't hold back."
Leonard didn't respond, walking over to Aria without meeting Asher's eyes. In the past, he would have helped her up, asking if she was hurt. Now, there was only disappointment. Last night, he thought he had hit rock bottom with his disappointment, but this moment surpassed it all. He had nothing left to say to her.
"From now on, we are no longer uncle and niece. Don't come to the Snow family again, and I won't seek you out either. Aria, you're on your own."
Aria gritted her teeth, stumbled up, hastily packed her belongings, and rushed out.
Leonard sighed. "I need some time alone."
Vivienne acquiesced, "Alright, take your time."
As Vivienne and the others left, Melanie was displeased. "Just let Aria go like that?"
Vivienne turned to her. "Do you want your father to send Aria to jail?"
Melanie fell silent, admitting she had considered it.
Vivienne shook her head. "Leonard's reaction says it all. He's completely cut ties with Aria. Didn't you notice? He didn't even scold her. That's utter disappointment. If there was any chance of reconciliation, Leonard wouldn't stay silent." Vivienne understood Leonard all too well.
It was a clean break, with no further contact to come.
