Chapter 15
Henry, being rejected again, regarded her with increased interest. She seemed resistant to him. She wanted to make his money but always maintained a distant attitude.
After careful recollection, he didn't remember he had offended her.
As he watched her nibbling on her dessert, he suddenly stood up, grabbed a few pieces of cake from the buffet, and placed them in front of her.
"Ms. Aroma, before you say no, please reconsider," he said.
Henry observed her calmly. Even with her mask on, he could read the emotions reflected in her eyes.
When she scanned the cakes and caught sight of one topped with strawberries, a look of disgust flashed across her face.
He noticed that and narrowed his eyes.
Victoria, uninterested in engaging with him, simply stood up and walked away.
As Ms. Aroma, she couldn't afford to dismiss him so casually.
Henry stayed seated, crossing his legs and staring coldly at her retreating figure.
Was it just a coincidence? She seemed to hate strawberries.
Victoria was also allergic to strawberries, a fact he remembered all too well, having witnessed her suffer an allergic reaction- small rashes dotting her delicate skin as she scratched at them in pain.
They shared similar body figures and allergies; the coincidences were striking. But their voices were distinctly different.
Henry made a call. "Find out where Victoria is."
"Understood," his subordinate replied.
When Diana located Victoria, she found her standing by the window, gazing at the night sky.
Diana approached and said, "There are five companies interested in your fragrance and three that want to connect with you. I neither accepted nor declined. Do you have time to discuss?"
"Absolutely." Victoria nodded. "Now that I'm no longer preoccupied with Henry, I have plenty of time."
Diana continued, "Then you can make a few fragrances, and I'll handle the negotiations. By the way, Evie asked if you could come to her new bar."
Evie Clarke, Diana, and Victoria were good friends, but Victoria had lost touch with them during her marriage. Upon learning of Victoria's divorce, Evie was thrilled because she had never liked Henry.
"I'll definitely be there," Victoria replied immediately.
"Great. I'll call and tell her," said Diana.
Henry received a call from his subordinate, who informed him that Victoria was at her apartment.
He glanced at Victoria and Diana by the window chatting and commanded, "Tell her I have something for her."
"Yes," his subordinate replied.
Unbeknownst to Victoria, she was already under suspicion. She was thinking about a visit to Evie's bar after the birthday party when her phone rang.
When she saw the caller ID, her face hardened.
It was her mother, Camille Hardwick, calling.
"Hello," Victoria answered calmly.
"Victoria, you want to divorce Henry? Are you out of your mind? Do you think this marriage is a joke? I won't allow it," Camille said coldly.
Feeling a tinge of sadness, Victoria composed herself before replying, "Mom, did you know I was in a car accident?"
Camille paused, then said, "Aren't you fine now? That doesn't justify wanting a divorce. Come home now; we need to talk!"
With that, she hung up the phone.
Victoria clenched her phone tightly, feeling frustrated.
The incident from five years ago had bound Victoria and Henry together, resulting in a marriage alliance between the Hardwick family and the Harrison family, which was meant to be a win-win situation.
However, the Hardwick family was deeply displeased.
They believed Victoria had brought shame to their name by using her body to secure a man. During that time, there were whispers and ridicule aimed at the Hardwick family, and Victoria was too afraid to go home, knowing she would face accusations and scorn.
Now, with her desire for a divorce, the family didn't agree. Why was everyone being so difficult?
Just then, Diana exclaimed, "Oh no, someone's at your place!"
Victoria frowned. "What do you mean?"
Diana pulled out her phone, showing Victoria the surveillance footage from her front door.
A man in a black suit was ringing the bell.
Victoria squinted, recognizing the man and feeling flustered.