Chapter 98
Night fell, and Victoria strolled through the courtyard, pondering her next move.
She had to get to the bottom of what happened five years ago. She'd never done what Henry was accusing her of, and she refused to let him keep holding it over her head.
"I'll find the proof and shove it in his face," she thought, "then we'll see what he has to say!"
Just then, her phone rang. She glanced at the screen. It was Sebastian.
"Hey, Seb," she answered, her voice brightening.
"Hey, Vicky," Sebastian replied. "Things are sorted on my end. You don't need to worry about getting the money together."
"Sorted? Just like that?"
Victoria was taken aback. Business wasn't her forte, but she knew Henry had orchestrated this whole mess. Whether Sebastian recovered from it or not probably came down to a single word from that snake.
"That sly, conniving jerk!" she fumed inwardly.
"Seb, you need to be more careful with your partnerships and investments in the future". Victoria cautioned her voice heavy
"Don't worry!" Sebastian assured her. "This has been a harsh lesson, and I'll definitely be more cautious."
"If you could, wouldn't it be better to break away and start your own thing?" Victoria suggested suddenly.
Sebastian chuckled. "What are you talking about? It's not that easy to just go independent. Besides, Mom and Dad are watching my every move. All I can do is try my best within the Hardwick Group."
Victoria felt a sense of suffocation.
By marrying into the Harrison family, she solidified the Hardwick family's standing in Lanceser.
She had also tied Sebastian to the Hardwick Group, forcing him to work for them, even though the real power still lay with James.
In her parents' eyes, profit trumped everything.
Escaping this situation wouldn't be easy.
"Okay, enough of that. Let me tell you some good news. I've got a girlfriend! When you have some time, I'll introduce you two," Sebastian said with a smile.
"Great! I'm free whenever," Victoria replied, laughing.
If he could marry someone he truly loved, that would be a blessing.
"Okay, I'll set a time and let you know.'
Moonlight bathed the earth, the wind rustled through the leaves, and the sounds of insects and birds filled the air.
Victoria turned and walked back, texting Diana as she went.
Victoria: [Diana, can you find out how I ended up in Henry's room five years ago?]
Diana: [It's going to be tough, but I'll try.]
Victoria: [Okay, it's okay if you can't find anything. I'll just have to wing it.]
After all, it had been five years. The surveillance equipment back then wasn't as advanced as it was now. She could only hope for the best.
It was getting late. She returned to the villa, went to her room to shower and change, and then grabbed a storybook and headed towards Emma's room.
But then, a door next to hers opened, and there stood Jude, his slight figure framed in the doorway. He glanced at the storybook in her hand and said, "I want to hear a bedtime story."
Victoria gave him a cool look. "You have a mother, and you have a father. You can ask your dad to read to you."
With that, she continued on her way.
But behind her came the sound of tiny footsteps. She turned to see him following her, a stubborn look on his face.
Ignoring him, Victoria opened Emma's door, walked in, and closed it behind her.
Jude gripped his pajamas tightly. He didn't understand. He had tried to be nice. Why was she ignoring him?
He had rarely had to lower himself like this. As the young master of the Harrison family, he never had to ask for anything; everything was brought to him.
He thought motherly love would be the same.
Suddenly, he turned and went back to his room. He dialed Sarah's number.
"Ms. Miller, can you read me a bedtime story?"
Sarah was surprised to get a call from Jude, but she happily agreed to his request. "How about we video chat?" she said with a smile. "That way, I can make sure you're not falling asleep."
"Okay," Jude agreed.
He lay in bed properly, started the video call, and placed the phone beside him.
He didn't need Victoria to tell him stories! Someone else would do it, and he didn't need her anyway!
Sarah's voice was gentle as she narrated a children's story, but Jude quickly grew impatient. He kept thinking of Victoria reading story for Emma and he felt annoying in his heart.
His good manners kept him from expressing his annoyance directly. Besides, he had already disturbed Sarah's rest, and he didn't want to say anything else to upset her.
So he closed his eyes, pretending to be asleep.
Sarah glanced up and, seeing him "asleep", a sly smile curved her lips. She took a screenshot of the video, saved it, and then ended the call.