Chapter 155
Camille frowned. "Your grandma hasn't seen you in so long, and you still want to go? You should just leave everything with me. I'll give it to her whenever I get back."
At those words, Victoria's hands clenched into fists, her lips pressing into a tight line.
Five years ago, when she had been forced into marriage without protest, Ava had been so disappointed in her that she stopped responding to her attempts to contact her.
Five years had passed, and there had been no reconciliation.
Ava believed she had failed her.
Back then, Victoria had been so caught up in the whirlwind of love. When she found out she'd slept with Henry and could marry him, she was ecstatic and didn't bother questioning the situation.
She thought that with time, he would fall in love with her, and they'd have a perfect life. She believed that Ava would forgive her and eventually offer her blessings.
But all of that had been just her wishful thinking.
A firm resolve crossed Victoria's face. "I can't give it to you. I'm going to see Grandma and apologize to her."
Camille's expression hardened. "Victoria, you're not my biological daughter. You don't even have your grandmother's blood. You have no right to take her things, understand?"
At this, Sarah spoke up. "Mrs. Harrison, I'm Ava's real granddaughter. It's only right that I inherit her belongings. You can't just keep taking what belongs to me, can you? That's a bit much. Don't you think?"
She no longer bothered hiding her hostility, and her eyes gleamed with excitement.
Now, she was the true young lady of the Hardwick family, while Victoria was nothing. She was going to take back everything that belonged to her.
Sebastian frowned. "Mom, this is a bit too much. This is all happening too suddenly. You've only done a paternity test with Sarah. Why not do one with Vicky, too? What if there's been a mistake? Bringing this up now will only hurt her feelings."
"No need for another test," Camille said firmly.
"I only gave birth to one daughter. Back then, when I was in labor, there was a large medical dispute at the hospital. I had to leave in a hurry, and in the confusion, I took the wrong baby. That's why Sarah and I were separated for over twenty years."
She looked at Sarah, her eyes filled with regret and sorrow.
Sarah immediately rushed to her side, tears welling up. "Mom, don't blame yourself. We've found each other again. Things are going to get better."
"Yes." Camille hugged her tightly, her heart swelling with affection. She was completely sure that Sarah was her daughter.
And the paternity test had confirmed it. No wonder she'd always disliked Victoria. She wasn't her biological child.
They embraced, crying together, but Sebastian still couldn't believe what was happening. His concerned eyes drifted to Victoria, but he was surprised to see her face so calm.
At that moment, James spoke up. "Alright, let's get Sarah settled in first. I'll host a party to announce that I've found my real daughter. You all start getting ready."
He turned to Victoria. "Go meet your real parents. In a couple of days, I'll arrange a dinner to thank them for raising Sarah all these years. For now, go stay with them."
With just a few sentences, he had planned out Victoria's future. He had just said he wouldn't take anything from her, but now he was eager to send her away.
A brief pang of sadness hit her, but it was gone just as quickly.
She had long since gotten used to her parents' coldness.
Now that she knew she wasn't their real daughter, she actually felt a sense of relief.
Henry had one less reason to control her.
A divorce now seemed more possible than ever.
Victoria stood up and left the Hardwick Villa.
Sebastian, still not at ease, immediately followed her out. His eyes held a hint of concern. "Vicky..."
Victoria had already opened the car door, her hand resting on it. A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "Sebastian, you know... I'm actually kind of happy."
Her response took him off guard, and the worry in his chest eased a little. "As long as you're not upset."
"You've always been the one who truly cared for me, not them.
When that thing happened, I was the one they pushed forward to secure their gains.
For years, I've been nothing more than a tool to them.
If I was useful, they noticed me. If I wasn't, they didn't even bother pretending to care.
So when I found out I'm not actually their biological daughter, I felt free.
For the first time in a long while, I'm happy. "
The breeze played with her hair, lifting it gently, as if echoing her newfound sense of liberation. Her shoulders relaxed, as if she'd set down a heavy burden she'd been carrying for years.
Sebastian reached out and ruffled her hair, his tone warm yet firm. "No matter what, you'll always be my little sister. I'll never acknowledge Sarah. She has ulterior motives."
Victoria chuckled lightly. "And you'll always be my big brother. That'll never change."
"I'll go with you," Sebastian offered. "If your new family doesn't treat you right, you don't have to deal with them. There's no rule saying you have to accept your biological parents."
Victoria shook her head with a small smile. "It's okay. I'll handle it myself."
Before they could say more, a servant approached them hurriedly. "Sir, Mr. and Mrs. Hardwick have asked you to come back inside."
Victoria raised her eyebrows and gestured toward the house, her expression teasing. "See? They won't let you leave that easily."
A trace of coldness flashed in Sebastian's eyes. He turned to Victoria, his tone serious. "Call me if anything happens. I'll always have your back."
"Got it." Victoria got into the car and drove away.
Sebastian stood there for a long time, watching until her car disappeared from sight. Only then did he turn around and head back into the villa.
Camille was cheerfully helping Sarah pick out a room.
Sarah stood outside what had been Victoria's bedroom, her expression hesitant. "Mom, can I take this room?"
Camille's smile was full of indulgence. "Of course, sweetheart!"
Sarah hesitated, her voice soft and concerned. "But... what if Mrs. Harrison comes back? Won't she need somewhere to stay?"
Camille waved off her concern with a dismissive laugh. "She can stay in one of the guest rooms. Besides, she'll be divorcing Henry soon anyway."
Sarah's eyes gleamed briefly, but she quickly hid it behind a shy smile. She linked arms with Camille, her voice soft. "Mom, isn't this a little too much? They've been married for five years, after all."
"Five years and she still hasn't managed to win her husband's heart.
What's the point? You have always had Henry wrapped around your finger.
And now that we know you're my real daughter, it's only right.
Our families have a long–standing partnership.
Once Henry divorces Victoria and marries you, everything stays the same. It's the perfect outcome."
Sarah blushed, her cheeks turning red. "Mom, stop teasing me!"
Camille chuckled and pulled her into the room. "This is your room now. Take a look around. If there's anything you don't like, we'll redo it completely."
Sarah glanced around before wrinkling her nose. "I don't like any of it."
"Then we'll gut the whole thing," Camille said decisively.
She immediately instructed the servants to pack up Victoria's belongings and move them to the storage room. She even called a construction team to start renovations on the spot.
Sebastian had been watching the whole time.
When Camille left to handle other matters, Sebastian seized the opportunity. He grabbed Sarah's arm and dragged her to the garden, his expression icy. "You forged the paternity test. What are you really after?"
Sarah's eyes widened innocently. "What? I didn't do anything! Mom handled the test. I only found out a few days ago!