Chapter 119
The next morning, Victoria was jolted awake by a sensation in her arms.
When she opened her eyes, she found Emma lying beside her, struggling to wiggle her way up.
Surprised, Victoria exclaimed, "Sweetheart, what are you doing here?"
As soon as Emma saw her awake, she froze. "Ms. Victoria, did I wake you? I'm so sorry."
"No," Victoria quickly reassured her. "I woke up a while ago. I was just curious about what you were up to."
Emma blinked, her eyes wide. "Ms. Victoria, I couldn't sleep last night and overheard some things."
Victoria's heart raced immediately. This was the Hardwick Villa, after all. If anyone caught Emma wandering around, it could lead to trouble.
Emma hesitated before sharing what she'd overheard.
As Victoria listened, she couldn't help but find it amusing.
Did Camille really think she wasn't her biological daughter?
"Does she hate me that much?" Victoria thought, her heart sinking, and her expression turned cold momentarily.
"Sweetheart, don't take it seriously," she said softly, running her fingers through Emma's hair. "If you're not happy here, we can move to Rose Villa or go stay with Diana, okay?"
Emma shook her head. "I want to stay and protect you."
Touched, Victoria pulled Emma into an embrace and kissed her on the forehead.
Just then, Jude walked in, the sight instantly tightening his lips into a thin line.
He stepped forward and said to Emma, "My mom needs to wash up and have breakfast. Let her go!"
Emma let out a small snort before planting a kiss on Victoria's cheek. "Ms. Victoria, see you later."
"Okay," Victoria replied, watching Emma leave before turning her attention to Jude.
"I have a question for you," Victoria said, her expression hardening and her tone losing its previous softness.
Jude suddenly felt nervous, gripping the hem of his shirt.
"What is it?"
"Are you trying to please me?" Victoria asked.
"I..." Jude instinctively wanted to deny it, embarrassed at the thought. He'd never tried to please anyone before, yet here he was, making an effort for Victoria. He pressed his lips together, unable to meet her gaze.
"Why?" Victoria pressed on in confusion. "You were so cold, so rude to me before and even wanted me to divorce your dad."
Jude fell silent. He couldn't quite articulate his feelings. In short, seeing Emma receive the affection he once had made him unhappy, and he wanted it back. To him, that love should belong to him alone.
Noticing his silence, Victoria let out a soft sigh. "Don't bother anymore. I won't respond to you. To me, you're just a stranger. Just be yourself."
Her rejection stung, and Jude's eyes suddenly brimmed with tears.
"Why?" he blurted out. "You're so nice to other kids. Why aren't you like that with me?"
Seeing him cry, Victoria felt calm. "I'm gentle with Emma because she's always good to me."
"I can be good to you too..." Jude started to say, but as memories of his previous behavior flooded back, he fell silent, tears streaming down his cheeks.
Just then, Camille walked in and, spotting Jude in tears, rushed over to comfort him. "Jude, what's wrong? Did your mom scold you? Don't listen to her; she's a bad Mom. Don't cry! I'll talk to her, okay?"
Victoria frowned, realizing Camille was deliberately misleading Jude, just like Jennifer always did.
Jennifer had always treated Victoria with cold disdain, and Jude had witnessed it all. He was just a child, easily influenced by those around him.
Suddenly, Victoria felt guilty.
"No!" Just as she was lost in thought, Jude shoved Camille away. Tears still clung to his lashes, but his expression was cold. "My Mom isn't a bad person! Stop saying that!"
Victoria's eyes widened in surprise.
Camille was momentarily taken aback but quickly composed herself. "Alright, I get it. So, tell me why you're crying."
Jude wiped his tears. "I wasn't crying." With that, he turned and stormed out.
Camille stared after him in disbelief, then looked at Victoria. "Jude didn't like you before, but he's changed a lot recently. You need to seize this chance to keep him close; otherwise, he'll drift away, and you'll be a failure as a mother."
Victoria's expression was blank. "A failed mother? Are you talking about yourself?"
Camille's face darkened, and she stepped closer, eyes narrowing. "Victoria, you're only acting tough because Henry still cares about you. If he ever abandons you, what will you have left to stand on?"
Victoria smirked. "But right now, I have Henry on my side. I'm still Mrs. Harrison."
Camille's expression soured further. She felt Victoria was changing too much, slipping out of her control.
As Camille left, Victoria's smile faded instantly.
She had devoted five years to a relationship, blinded by so–called love. Now that she had awakened, Victoria realized how insignificant she had been, and her past resistance felt utterly powerless. She needed to become stronger and rely on herself.
After spending a week at Hardwick Villa, Victoria slowly recovered and was able to move around. Her spirits were lifting, while Camille's seemed to be plummeting.
Henry worked from home every day, claiming he couldn't leave Victoria alone, but in fact, he was preventing her from any trouble the Hardwick family might cause.
One morning, Victoria hobbled into James' study on crutches. The air was filled with a faint scent of sandalwood, and the solid wooden dispy cabinets housed a stunning collection of valuable antiques, some dating back to the Middle Ages.
As Victoria examined some exquisite pieces, she turned to find James glaring at her.
Pretending not to notice his displeasure, she asked, "Dad, I need some displays for my room. You don't use these often. Why not let me have them?"
James replied, "Whatever you want, I'll have someone buy it for you. You can't take these."
"Why not?" Victoria blinked in confusion. "I'm planning to put them in Henry's study. When he sees them, he'll think they're from you. It might help him remember you when discussing business."
James eyed the items she was touching. The total value was over 200 million dollars, and he was reluctant to part with them.
Yet Victoria seemed to know just how to leverage his desire for a partnership with the Harrison Group.
"Fine, take them," he conceded reluctantly.