"But pushing Pearl in front of everyone-wouldn''t that be too obvious? It just feels...off."


    "What''s so off about it? Isadora grew up dirt poor. You don''t know people like that their hearts are as vicious as theye!"


    The whispered usations circled around her, every word a dagger.


    Isadora shivered, cold to the bone.


    Perfect.


    Pearl had done it-she''d ruined herpletely.


    But Isadora refused to fall. She wouldn''t let them watch her break.


    Even if not a single soul believed her, she would never let them see her defeated.


    Her nails dug into her palm as she gritted her teeth, forcing each word out: "I didn''t push her. Pearl fell on her own. Prescott, you bastard, stop making things up."


    Pearl, hearing this, only clung tighter to Eleanor, sobbing uncontrobly.


    "I might be reckless, but I''d never hurt myself... Isadora, you''re not just cruel enough to push me, now you want to me me for it? My brother saw everything -no one''s going to believe you!"


    Eleanor closed her eyes, her voice rough with emotion.


    "Take Isadora to the police. I won''t have such a heartless girl as my daughter."


    At those words, Isadoraughed—a bitter, broken sound, tears shimmering in her eyes.


    Richard was silent for a moment.


    "If we hand her over to the police, what will happen to the Vaughan family''s reputation? What matters right now is making sure Pearl gets treatment. Lock Isadora up for now-we''ll sort this outter."


    Isadora wiped her tears away, her face stony.


    "I didn''t do it. You have no right to punish me for something I didn''t do."


    Prescott''s fists clenched at Richard''s decision not to call the police.


    They were just going to let her off?


    Rage burned through him.


    "Dad, if you want to handle this privately, fine. But Pearl was hurt. Isadora can''t


    just get away with it-she deserves to be punished."


    With that, Prescott''s face darkened as he strode toward Isadora.


    He lifted his right leg, poised to kick her into the pool.


    But before his foot could make contact-


    A sudden yell split the air.


    Prescott was kicked violently from behind, sent flying in a perfect arc straight into


    the pool. Water exploded everywhere as he hit.


    For a moment, everyone stared, stunned, at the tall, imposing man who''d appeared out of nowhere.


    He was dressed in a ck suit, menace radiating from him, as if he could bend the world to his will.


    His eyes were dark, his voice colder than ice.


    "You think you get to punish my woman? Who do you think you are?"


    Victor''s gaze found the woman crumpled on the ground.


    Isadora''s face was bloodless, a smear of red at her lips, her wrist swollen and bruised. She was half-copsed, unable to stand, the hem of her expensive evening gown torn to shreds. She looked utterly battered, like a castaway in a storm, barely hanging on.


    Damn it.


    He''d only been dyed a few minutes, and now she was in this state.


    A wave of fury surged in Victor''s chest.


    His jaw clenched, he strode over, shedding his jacket and draping it over Isadora''s shoulders.


    Everyone watched in stunned silence.


    In the city, everyone knew Victor-the so-called prince of Capitolion. He actedid-back, but that was just a mask. When he meant business, nothing could stop


    him, and hardly anyone in the city dared cross him.


    Victor crouched beside Isadora, gently wiping the blood from her mouth.


    "Who hit you?"