I watched the video on Olivia''s phone with growing anger. Each second of footage confirmed what I had suspected - my family had betrayed my trust in the worst way possible.


    The recording clearly showed Emma deliberately throwing herself into the Moonlit Reflection Pool while


    Olivia stood several feet away. There was no pushing, no malice from Olivia - only a calcted performance from a child too young to have learned such maniption on her own.


    My anger rose like a tide as the video continued, showing Victoria''s false usations and Eleanor''s immediate condemnation without investigation. The final straw was watching my own granddaughter, Isabelle, iming to have "witnessed" something she couldn''t possibly have seen.


    I lowered the phone, my hand trembling with rage. The room had fallen deathly silent as everyone awaited my judgment.


    "Kneel down-"Imanded, my voice cutting through the tension.


    Isabelle''s face brightened immediately. She clearly thought mymand was directed at Olivia. The smug satisfaction in her eyes made my blood boil even hotter.


    She straightened her posture, ready to witness Olivia''s humiliation. When Olivia remained standing, confusion flickered across Isabelle''s features.


    "Olivia Winters, didn''t you hear Grandmother tell you to kneel?" she snapped, grabbing Olivia''s arm roughly. "Kneel down now!"


    "I told you to kneel down!" I roared, my voice echoing off the walls.


    Isabelle froze, her hand still gripping Olivia''s arm. Shock registered on her face as she slowly turned to meet


    my gaze.


    "Grandmother?" she questioned, disbelief coloring her voice.


    "Did I stutter?" I asked coldly. "Kneel. Now."


    Isabelle''s legs seemed to give way beneath her as she crumpled to the floor. Her


    eyes, wide with confusion, stared up at me imploringly.


    "Grandmother, what did I do wrong?" she asked, her voice small,


    I held up the phone, my grip tightening around it. "This is what you call ''seeing with your own eyes''?"


    I gestured to Bernard Sheppard, our elderly butler who had served the Stone family for decades. Without a word, he took Olivia''s phone and connected it to the projection system


    The video yed against the living room wall,rge enough for everyone to see. Emma''s deliberate fall into the water was unmistakable, as was Olivia''s genuine shock and concern.


    Isabelle''s face drained of color as the truth was revealed for all to see. She hadn''t anticipated actual evidence. Her lies stood exposed in vivid detail.


    Chapter 16 You Dare You


    "Olivia Winters, you''re so vicious! Isabelle suddenly used, desperation in her voice. "You set this up beforehand just to get me punished, didn''t you?"


    The p echoed through the room before anyone realized I had moved. Isabelle''s head snapped to the side from the force of my blow


    "Grandmother, why did you hit me?" she wailed, clutching her reddened cheek. "Where did I go wrong? Olivia is clearly framing mel"


    "You dare talk back!" I thundered, my patiencepletely exhausted. "What''s wrong with Olivia being cautious? Did she hold a knife to your throat and force you to lie and frame her?"


    I raised my hand again, ready to deliver another blow. Isabelle cowered, covering her face with her arms.


    "Mother!" Eleanor rushed forward, cing herself between me and Isabelle. "Mother, Isabelle is still young


    and doesn''t understand things. Don''t take it to heart."


    I stared at my daughter-inw in disbelief. ''Still young? Twenty-four years old and still young and doesn''t understand things? When does she n to grow up? Eleanor, you''ve spoiled her!"


    Eleanor flinched at my words but remained protectively in front of her daughter. I red at her, disappointed beyond words.


    "Go to the Stone Ancestral Hall and kneel to reflect on your actions, I ordered Isabelle, pointing a finger at her trembling form. "Without my permission, no one is allowed to let her out!"


    Two servants immediately stepped forward, grasping Isabelle by the arms and dragging her away. Her protests faded as they pulled her from the room.


    Eleanor shot a venomous look at Olivia, who calmly returned the gaze. Then Olivia''s attention shifted to Victoria Frost, who was shrinking against Ethan''s side.


    "Grandmother," Olivia said softly, her emerald eyes reddening with unshed tears. "Victoria also wronged me."


    I was taken aback for a moment. In all the years I had known her, Olivia had neverined about her


    treatment. She had endured everything silently, protecting others even at her own expense.


    A surge


    ge of warmth filled my heart. My girl had finally learned to speak up for herself.


    That warmth quickly transformed into icy fury as I turned my gaze to Victoria Frost.


    (Olivia''s POV)


    I watched Victoria pale under Matriarch Evelyn''s stern gaze. For once, the


    perfectlyposed Victoria looked genuinely frightened.


    She tugged at Ethan''s sleeve, her voice barely a whisper. "Ethan.”


    Ethan nced down at her, his amber eyes unreadable. Victoria''s face fell as she realized he wasn''t immediately jumping to her defense.


    Tears welled in her eyes- practiced, calcted tears that I had seen too many times before. She tur me with a perfectly crafted expression of remorse.