Vivian, having changed into her dress, sauntered out slowly, only to overhear Shawna's syrupy voice in the living room, painting herself as the picture of innocence and being wrong to Ethan.
From her vantage point in the hallway, Vivian couldn't help but inwardly chuckle at Shawna's remarkable talent for twisting the truth. It was Shawna who had refused to marry him, forcing Vivian to take her place, yet in front of Ethan, the story was spun to depict Vivian as the cunning manipulator.
Unbeknownst to Shawna, Hayden had thoroughly investigated her, leading to their staged marriage scheme specifically to keep her out of the Sharpe household. And Shawna was also unaware that Ethan now knew the full truth, rendering her performance tonight a farce.
Despite Ethan's newfound knowledge, Vivian noticed he refrained from exposing Shawna's act. He maintained a colder demeanor than usual, allowing Shawna to put on a convincing show of tears and distress without interruption.
Vivian sighed softly, shaking her head. Ethan’s soft heart would surely lead to trouble, she mused, yet her scolding was tinged with affection she barely acknowledged.
Ethan's face was stiffer than ever, a mask he wore when facing outsiders or unsure situations – a lesson taught by Hayden's father and reinforced by Hayden himself. He was trained never to reveal his thoughts, to project strength regardless of inner turmoil. Over time, this had earned him a reputation for coldness.
Even though he recognized Shawna's performance, Ethan struggled to interrupt her. To expose her would be harsh; she was once dear to him, and he didn't wish to embarrass her. His previous interactions with Shawna had prepared him for her lack of feelings towards him, so he wasn't surprised or able to resent her.
Thus, Ethan maintained his stony facade, staring blankly at Shawna. Shawna, accustomed to his usual aloofness, didn't notice any change in him as she tested the waters by tugging on his arm. Encouraged by his lack of resistance, she leaned fully into him, forehead against his shoulder, her curves pressed against his arm, playing the part of the vulnerable damsel.
This was Shawna's classic move, one that usually softened hearts and opened doors to her requests. Her more modest attire today only added to her perceived innocence.
Vivian made her entrance, dressed in a graceful maxi dress with her hair loosely tied, strands framing her face in a casual yet sophisticated manner. Her composed walk into the living room was met with a mere cursory glance at Shawna's clinginess to Ethan. Her expression was unchanged, yet it sent a chill through Ethan.
"Vivian," he called out, inexplicably feeling guilty. Was this really the same Vivian as before, transformed by a simple change of clothes?
Shawna sensed the shift of Vivian from her usual form, her heart fluttering nervously as she lifted her gaze to meet Vivian's.
"Sis?" Shawna muttered uncertainly. The woman standing before her resembled her sister, yet Shawna felt like she didn't know her at all.
The Vivian she knew would cower at the sight of Shawna's closeness with Ethan. She would absolutely dare not utter a word, only flickering her eyes, revealing an envious look tinged with jealousy, self-pity, and a sense of inferiority. She would shrink into an inconspicuous corner, making a silent accusation with her demeanor.
Never would she behave as she did now, meeting her gaze fearlessly, even with a hint of disdain, as though a noble from high above surveys commoners beneath her, squabbling over petty gains she deems unworthy.
"Oh, you're here.My dear sister" Vivian casually took a seat on the sofa, her tone dismissive, as if Shawna's clinginess was of no consequence, as if her position as Mrs. Sharpe was unassailable.
Shawna's anger flared. How dare the timid, inferior Vivian, whom she had always seen as beneath her, now display such confidence?
Her plan to assert dominance over Vivian had backfired, making her feel defeated instead.
She intended to demonstrate that, even if Ethan were to marry Vivian, his heart would still be under her control, subject to her every whim. Shawna, despite her proximity to Ethan, was acutely aware that Vivian held the title that mattered.
Was it true that what one didn't treasure became the most desirable to others?
The position Shawna once scoffed at now seemed like a prize she had foolishly given away to Vivian.What makes Vivian look so smug now?
Meanwhile, Vivian wasn't dwelling on these complexities. She had merely intervened to save Ethan from Shawna's advances. Ethan's tightly strained face looked rather pitiful, she had to step in. Shawna still dared cling to Ethan despite her presence. She found it quite funny
"I've got something to attend to. You……" Ethan, sensing Vivian's arrival, felt uneasy and attempted to extricate himself from Shawna's grasp, intending to retreat to his study. Shawna, however, assertively held onto him, her voice pleading.
"Please, Ethan, don't leave me alone with her..."
Her words were laced with fear as she glanced at Vivian, who responded with a cryptic raise of an eyebrow, seemingly confirming Shawna's fabricated narrative of a domineering sister.Even Vivian almost believed herself to be the domineering elder sister.
"I have business to attend to..." Had it not been for Shawna's true colors revealed earlier, he might have stayed to ensure Shawna's safety from Vivian's supposed mistreatment.
But under Vivian's enigmatic, almost teasing gaze, Ethan felt compelled to escape the situation. If he didn't leave soon, Vivian would surely find an opportunity later to tease him again about about the matter of Shawna.
Shawna felt awkward and surprised. Ethan was supposed to stay and stand up for her against Vivian, not eager to run from her presence, almost as if fleeing the scene.
