In the Marchioness's study, the air felt thick and tense. Vivian sat behind her desk, fingers drumming the surface, ice-cold eyes locked on Betty.
"I warned you not to mess with Elena." Vivian's voice cut like steel. "And what happened? You threw Lily at her, didn't scratch Elena at all, just made her look like a hero while almost torching the Institute from inside! Betty, are you trying to screw me over or get yourself killed?"
Betty went pale, but her eyes still blazed with hate. "I just can't stand how smug she is! Some bastard, what gives her the right..."
"What gives her the right?" Vivian cut her off with a harsh laugh. "She's a Duchess hand-picked by the Empress, she's the 'Sacred Female' backed by the Supreme Council, she can shred your schemes right in front of me using
