She took a slow, deliberate step forward, her voice turning cold and commanding.
"Well, I've just proved to everyone that I upheld that standard. Now it's your turn. Prove yourself in front of all these witnesses. Let them praise your name, dear sister."
"I trust my daughter," Mrs. Ashford suddenly chimed in, though her voice trembled slightly as she swallowed hard. "Mirabel has lived in the Ashford family all these years. She grew up under my roof. I know her attitude... her character."
She then turned toward Victoria, reaching out and gently taking her hands. Her tone softened as she continued,
"I hope you understand why I didn't trust you at first. It's because you had just returned to the Ashford family. It's not that I don't trust you at all... but in order to prove your innocence to everyone, it was necessary. Please, I hope you don't hate me for that."
Victoria gave a small nod, her lips stretching into a forced smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
