Chapter 85
The night was deep and dark, with clouds blocking the twinkling stars.
When Victoria entered Rose Villa, all she could feel was silence. Her eyes instinctively glanced toward the flower garden, but all she saw were the wilting roses.
Her heart ached a little.
Those were the flowers she had once carefully nurtured, but now, no one cared for them.
Just as she was about to look away, she noticed a figure sitting in the pavilion. She pursed her lips slightly and walked over to him.
She sat down opposite him, glancing at the bottle of wine on the table. There was still half a bottle left, and without thinking, she took a large gulp.
She drank too quickly and choked, coughing until tears welled up in her eyes.
"Serves you right."
At that moment, a deep, magnetic voice rang out, carried by the cool night breeze that seemed to bite into her skin with a chilling cold.
Victoria felt he was absolutely right.
Finally, her coughing subsided. She looked at him, her voice hoarse as she asked, "Henry, did you set up my brother?"
Henry had his arms crossed, his shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing the strong muscles underneath. The veins on his arms were clearly visible. His handsome, sharp face remained impassive, his deep eyes impossible to read in the dim night.
"It was just a little punishment for your Hardwick family," he said, his tone flat, as though setting up Sebastian for million dollars loss was a trivial matter.
Victoria felt a wave of suffocation. Her fingers curled into fists as she asked, "I just want a divorce. Why are you doing this? Can't we part on good terms?"
"What?"
Henry let out a laugh like he had heard the funniest joke.
"Victoria, five years ago, you set me up. How dare you talk about parting on good terms?"
He fixed his cold gaze on her. Even after five years, he still held a grudge over the scheme she had pulled on him.
Victoria lowered her gaze slightly, her long eyelashes trembling. "I don't remember that, but I swear, I never schemed against you."
He thought she knew why he still resented her.
If she hadn't interfered back then, he would have already to meet Sarah again.
"Do you want me to show you the evidence right now?" Henry's voice became even colder. "You really are stubborn."
Victoria took a deep breath, a sharp pain pulling at her chest. Without evidence to prove her innocence, words were meaningless.
Since he cared so much, then she'd find the evidence and throw it in his face.
"What will it take for you to let my brother go?"
She lifted her gaze, her eyes slightly reddened as she looked at him, her tone softening.
"Beg me?" Henry's long, sharp brows lifted slightly. "What can you do for me?"
Victoria pressed her soft lips together, then stood up and walked toward him. She was still reluctant, but there was no other choice.
She might not care about the Hardwick family, but she couldn't ignore Sebastian.
She stood in front of him, though he was looking up at her, his deep eyes gleaming with amusement, which made her feel no sense of superiority despite his position.
Her hand rested lightly on his shoulder as she leaned closer to him.
Slowly, her soft lips brushed against his, and in the next instant, his arm wrapped around her waist.
Impatiently, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her lips fiercely.
Victoria let out a muffled grunt of pain, twisting and struggling against him.
But unexpectedly, he grabbed her leg and adjusted her position, making her straddle his lap. His large hand pressed against her lower back, forcing her closer to him.
Victoria froze, clearly feeling the shift in his demeanor.
"Aren't you squirming anymore?"
Henry kissed her everywhere, his voice deep and husky, tinged with a hint of teasing.
Victoria's face flushed, her slender body tensing up. In his arms, she felt fragile, unable to break free.
"Please, stop targeting my brother, alright?"
Victoria didn't forget why she had come here. She spoke softly, hoping he would hear her plea.
In that instant, she felt the arm around her waist tighten abruptly, and the next second, he stood up suddenly.
She gasped, quickly wrapping her arms around his neck, terrified of falling.
Going up the stairs, he kissed her again, this time more urgently than before.
The bedroom door was kicked open, and she was pressed onto the bed. His long fingers traced over her delicate skin.
Five years of marriage had made him all too familiar with her sensitive spots. After just a few caresses, her body melted in response.
Victoria's breath grew shallow, her chest rising and falling rapidly, her face flushed. It was a natural reaction from her body.
The room was dimly lit, and she felt dizzy. Every one of her senses was guided by him.
Just as he was about to go further, she grabbed his arm and asked, "Will you agree?"
She was still worried he might back out.
Henry's voice was husky, "It depends on how you perform."
"No, you..."
Victoria was startled, her eyes widening, but he didn't give her a chance to speak. He kissed her again.
Kiss marks began to appear on her skin.
Feeling the soft skin beneath his palm, he found the familiar sensation that had once consumed him. Her sweet scent captivated him. She trembled in his arms, and he was more than willing to see her succumb to him.
Suddenly, the phone rang, shattering the intimate atmosphere.
Victoria had closed her eyes, ready to face his overwhelming passion. She knew just how intense his needs were. He often left her sore and exhausted.
But now, hearing the phone ring, all of his movements abruptly stopped.
She opened her eyes and, in the dim light, saw his brows furrowed. He was clearly displeased, but he still paused.
The ringtone kept ringing, completely disrupting the flirtatious atmosphere, and Henry lost all interest.
He stood up and answered the call.
"Hello?" His voice was low and rough, tinged with impatience.
"Henry, you need to come quickly. Jude is having an allergic reaction, and it's serious. We're at the hospital," Jennifer's urgent voice came through.
Henry frowned, a deep crease forming on his forehead. "What happened? What did he eat?"
Jennifer quickly replied, "We're not sure yet, but please hurry. Jude really needs you right now." With that, she hung up in a hurry.
Henry looked at the woman lying on the bed. "Come with me to the hospital."
Victoria, hearing Jude's name, asked, "What happened?"
Henry answered, "He had an allergic reaction, and it's serious."
"Did he eat strawberries?" Without thinking, Victoria blurted out the question.