Transferred to another life

**Chapter Forty-Four: The Breakfast Incident**

The morning light streamed through the grand windows of Darkwood Manor, casting a warm glow over the breakfast table. Olivia sat at her usual spot, her fingers nervously tracing the rim of her teacup. Despite her recent success with Aunt Beatrice, the atmosphere in the dining room felt tense. Clara was seated across from her, a storm brewing behind her eyes.

As the family gathered, the usual banter was replaced by an undercurrent of anxiety, each member silently processing the chaos surrounding Matthew's illness and the strange happenings in the manor. Charles and Aunt Beatrice engaged in a hushed conversation, their voices low, while Clara kept glancing at Olivia, her expression a mixture of disdain and determination.

"Good morning, Olivia," Clara said, her voice sweet but dripping with sarcasm. "I hope you're feeling better today after all those... shadows you were seeing last night."

Olivia offered a strained smile, her heart racing. "I appreciate your concern, Clara. I'm doing my best to manage."

The meal began, with the clatter of plates and the soft murmur of conversation. But Olivia could feel Clara's gaze piercing into her, simmering with barely restrained fury. It was only a matter of time before Clara would make her move.

### **A Calculated Spill**

As the breakfast progressed, Clara pretended to engage with the family, but her focus remained on Olivia. When a server brought in a fresh bottle of red wine, Clara seized the opportunity. With a sudden and dramatic gesture, she reached for her glass, her elbow brushing against the wine bottle, causing it to wobble precariously.

"Oh no!" Clara exclaimed, feigning surprise as the bottle tilted dangerously. "Olivia, watch out!"

In a split second, the bottle tipped, and a stream of wine splattered across Olivia's pristine white dress. The rich, dark liquid soaked through the fabric, leaving a deep crimson stain that seemed to mock her.

"What on earth!" Olivia gasped, glancing down in shock as the wine seeped into her clothing. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment and anger.

Clara feigned innocence, her eyes wide. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to! But it seems you're always getting into trouble, aren't you?"

The tension in the room thickened. Charles stared at Clara, his expression one of disbelief, while Aunt Beatrice's face darkened with disapproval. "Clara, that was entirely unnecessary," Beatrice said firmly. "It was an accident."

Olivia's heart pounded. She could feel the weight of the family's gaze, and Clara's malicious grin only fueled her fury. "Clara, you know that was intentional," Olivia said, trying to keep her voice steady despite the anger bubbling beneath the surface.

Clara shrugged, her faux innocence slipping away. "You've been so caught up in your own drama lately, I thought maybe a little splash would wake you up."

### **Aunt Beatrice's Defense**

Before Olivia could respond, Aunt Beatrice intervened, her voice rising above the tension. "Clara, that was cruel! Olivia is dealing with enough without you making a spectacle of her. This is not how we treat family!"

"But Aunt Beatrice," Clara protested, her voice rising in pitch, "she's been causing problems for everyone! We should be able to hold her accountable!"

"No!" Beatrice cut her off, her tone sharp and unwavering. "You don't get to make Olivia the scapegoat for your own frustrations. You're acting like a child, and it's unbecoming of you."

Olivia's heart swelled with gratitude. For a moment, Clara's bravado faltered, and she glanced at Beatrice in disbelief. The other family members exchanged glances, unsure how to react. The tension hung in the air, thick and charged.

"Olivia, I'm sorry this happened," Beatrice continued, her voice softening as she turned to Olivia. "You're not alone in this. We're family, and I won't allow Clara to bully you."

Olivia's expression shifted from shock to warmth, and she felt a flicker of hope. "Thank you, Aunt Beatrice. I appreciate your support."

"Just clean yourself up," Beatrice added, giving Clara a pointed look. "And don't let her get under your skin. We know the truth about who you are."

Clara glared at her aunt and Olivia, her frustration simmering beneath the surface. "Whatever. It's just a bit of wine. I can't help it if Olivia is too clumsy to avoid it."

But Aunt Beatrice shook her head, her expression resolute. "This isn't about wine, Clara. It's about respect. If you can't show it to Olivia, then perhaps you should reconsider how you treat your family."

### **A Turning Point**

As Clara simmered in her anger, Olivia stood and excused herself from the table, making her way to the adjoining room where she could clean herself up. The sound of the family's murmurs faded behind her, but she could feel the weight of their eyes following her.

In the sanctuary of the small washroom, Olivia took a moment to collect herself. She could still feel the remnants of the wine on her dress, a symbol of Clara's malice. But more importantly, she felt the warmth of Aunt Beatrice's defense wrapping around her like a shield.

*Maybe I can turn this to my advantage,* Olivia thought, a smirk forming on her lips. *If Aunt Beatrice believes in me, perhaps I can sway the rest of the family to see me as the victim, not the villain.*

With renewed determination, she quickly cleaned her dress as best as she could and applied a light touch of makeup to mask any signs of distress. When she returned to the breakfast table, her posture was straighter, her demeanor more confident.

"Is everyone finished discussing my alleged clumsiness?" Olivia asked, her tone light but with an underlying edge.

The family was silent, Clara's face still etched with frustration. But the tide had begun to shift, and Olivia could feel it. With Aunt Beatrice on her side, she was ready to reclaim her place within the family—one way or another.

*Let Clara think she's winning this battle,* Olivia thought, her heart racing with a newfound sense of power. *I'll show them all how strong I really am.*