The Stand-In Who Burned the Script novel Chapter 463

"What, are you blaming me for punishing you too harshly?"

"Yes."

Cynthia froze. She clearly hadn't expected Vivian to admit it so bluntly.

She set her teacup down, her gaze turning even sharper.

"Seeing how lazy and unmotivated you were the past few days, I should have punished you sooner. Vivian, I've already shown you enough grace."

"Did you show me grace, or did you just finally find an excuse to punish me?"

Vivian gave her a flat look, walked over, and sank onto the sofa, stretching out her stiff legs.

The agonizing numbness still hadn't faded. She turned her head and ordered Judith, "Turn on the heat."

Judith instinctively glanced at Cynthia. Seeing no objection, she turned to adjust the thermostat.

Cynthia's eyes remained locked on Vivian's face. She wanted to see just how thick-skinned this woman really was.

"So what you're saying is, I was wrong to discipline you?"

"Exactly."

Vivian massaged her aching legs, not bothering to look up. "Cynthia, you're punishing me just for the sake of it. All I said was that I wanted to eat meat, and you exploded. Are you treating this house like a sacred monastery?"

Cynthia was utterly stunned, momentarily at a loss for words.

Vivian wasn't finished.

"You're a highly educated woman. You should know the human body requires protein to maintain basic vital signs. What exactly is wrong with me asking for a decent meal? I haven't taken holy orders. If you don't want to eat it, that's your business. I do."

Vivian finally looked up. "I've stood there freezing all night. Now, you owe me a steak."

"I'm not." Vivian acted as if she didn't catch the warning, and even muttered under her breath, "I finally understand why Silas is so distant from you. With this fake open-mindedness masking such a stubbornly archaic mindset, it's a miracle anyone can tolerate being close to you. You should be thanking me for staying here to keep you company all these days..."

A dead silence fell over the living room. Even Judith didn't dare to breathe.

She hadn't anticipated the young woman being this recklessly bold.

Cynthia was a formidable businesswoman who managed thousands of employees. Forget speaking to her with such blatant disrespect—no one had ever dared use that kind of tone with her in her entire life.

Cynthia took several deep, ragged breaths before forcing out, "I should thank you?"

"Shouldn't you?"

Vivian's expression remained perfectly composed. "I came here to keep you company, not to be your punching bag. I played along for the first two days not because I think you're a wonderful person, or because I think you're right. I did it purely because you're Silas's mother, and I was willing to offer you respect and companionship."

She raised an eyebrow, her raspy, feverish voice cutting through the silence. "But as it turns out... you don't seem to deserve it."