Chapter 142
His heroic act had once made her heart race in her youth, but time had changed everything.
After witnessing his cold indifference and shameless behavior, the feelings that had once blossomed in her teenage years had long faded away.
As the car door swung open, Henry settled into the driver's seat and said, "We need to head to the police station."
"Okay," Victoria replied.
Outside, the battered figures sprawled on the ground were being loaded into police cars. Once they arrived at the station, the recording of statements and interrogations stretched on for hours.
As the victim, Victoria was approached by an officer who asked if she wanted to settle things amicably.
Her expression had eased by then, and she firmly replied, "I don't want to settle amicably."
"Then we'll proceed according to the law," the officer said.
Since no significant harm had been done, the group would only face detention.
Henry, having acted heroically, faced no repercussions.
By the time they left the police station, the night was deep.
Grace stood a short distance away. Henry glanced at her and instructed, "Take her assistant home."
"Yes, Mr. Harrison," Grace nodded, turning to Tina. "Ms. Hubert, let's go."
"Thank you," Tina said hurriedly before bidding Victoria farewell and getting into the car.
Victoria turned to the man leaning casually against the car, jacket draped over one arm. "Thank you for tonight."
Henry raised an eyebrow. "Is that all I get? Just a verbal thank you?"
Victoria felt her breath catch. She met his gaze and asked, "What else do you want?"
He chuckled, stepping closer and studying her delicate features, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "If I told you, it might seem like I'm holding it over your head."
She realized just how demanding he could be.
She mused, "Why can't he just say what he wants? Do I not know who he is by now?"
With a soft sigh, she replied, "I have nothing to offer."
The bright lights outside the police station illuminated his features, and despite their carlier tension, a sense of calm settled between them. Oddly enough, Henry felt in a good mood.
"I haven't had dinner yet," he said.
"What do you want to eat? It's on me," Charlotte offered.
"That's not very sincere," he replied, disappointment creeping into his voice.
"Alright, I'll cook for you," she said, suddenly understanding his hint as she turned toward the car.
Henry followed closely behind, observing her straight posture and delicate frame. A gentle breeze lifted her hair, brushing against his chest, and he felt an unexpected softness in his heart.
As Victoria reached for the driver's seat, he stopped her. "I'll drive."
She didn't argue, sliding into the back seat instead.
The events of the night had unfolded too suddenly.
"How did Sophia's fans find out I was here?" she wondered, her eyes growing colder as a troubling thought crossed her mind.
Victoria just wanted to focus on her work, but some people seemed determined to stir up trouble.
Victoria quickly messaged Diana about the night's chaos. Almost instantly, her phone rang.
Her eyelids flickered as she declined the call, texting that Henrywas in the car.
Diana asked: [Are you hurt?]
Victoria replied: [I'm fine. I suspect Sophia is behind this. Can you find any evidence?]
Diana said: [I'll see what I can do.]
Victoria said: [Thanks, you're the best!]
Diana responded: [Your safety is what matters most.]
A warmth spread through Victoria's chest, but she soon felt a chilling gaze on her.
She paused, lifting her eyes to meet Henry's reflection in the rearview mirror.
Victoria tucked her phone away, diverting her gaze to the window as the tension in the car thickened.
The silence stretched, heavy and uncomfortable.
Finally, Henry's deep, magnetic voice broke through the stillness.
"Aren't you going to say anything about what happened tonight?"
Victoria replied, "I really don't know what to say."
There were still details to uncover; evidence was needed to make sense of it all.
Henry felt an inexplicable annoyance rising within him.
He mused, "Shouldn't she be thinking about complaining this to me, seeking my help to investigate? Does she not see me as her husband?"
The atmosphere in the car was charged with unspoken words.
Victoria sensed the tension but felt it was pointless to speak after the scare she had just experienced. Instead, she closed her eyes and tried to rest.
Before long, they arrived at Starlight Terrace.
As they entered the underground parking garage, Victoria opened her eyes, surprised.
She had expected him to take her straight to Rose Villa.
But this worked out–if they had dinner here, he could leave afterward, and she wouldn't have to move.
Once inside the elevator, she pulled out her phone to check the news.
The story about Sophia's injury was still trending, and she couldn't help but smirk.
"If she had a real accident, like breaking a leg, I could understand her hogging the limelight for so long. But faking an injury just to stir up drama? How boring."
Beneath the trending topic about Sophia's injury was a post demanding an apology from Vika.
Her Twitter followers had skyrocketed, but the comments and DMs were overwhelming; she couldn't even bring herself to them.
Just then, the elevator doors opened, and she instinctively looked up to see Jayce and Delia stepping inside.
Delia greeted them with a smile, "Mr. Harrison, Mrs. Harrison."
Victoria replied, returning the smile, "Good evening. What brings you back so late?"
"Just had dinner with Grandpa," Jayce said, his gaze lingering on her face, focused and intense.
Henry, observing from the side, felt a twinge of irritation. He wrapped an arm around Victoria's waist and said, "What floor do you live on? Victoria and I should come to visit you sometime."
Jayce instinctively glanced at Henry's arm around Victoria, his lips pressing.
In the cramped elevator, the air crackled with unspoken tension.
Delia quickly interjected, "Mr. Caldwell lives on the 21st floor. You're welcome to visit anytime, Mr. Harrison."
Henry frowned, noticing Jayce's continued fixation on his hold on Victoria.
He suddenly chuckled, leaning down to plant a light kiss on Victoria's mouth. "I guess you two have met before. Why didn't you tell me, hmm?"
Victoria's eyes widened in shock. She mused, "What is he doing?"
She fought the urge to wipe her lips, managing to say, "It's not too late for you to find out now."
"What's with this guy? Sudden intimacy and sneaky kisses?" she thought, feeling her guard go up.
Jayce's expression remained blank; his eyes dimmed as if all hope had drained away.
In this strange atmosphere, the elevator doors opened.
Delia hurriedly ushered Jayce out, and once the doors closed behind them, she asked, "Mr. Caldwell, are you really planning to cut ties with Mr. Harrison over a woman?"
She thought to herself, "Because of one woman, he has forsaken years of friendship?"
"Just because I like Victoria doesn't mean I won't help him if he needs me," Jayce replied, his brow furrowing.
Delia said, frustration creeping into her voice, "That's not the same.
"Mr. Caldwell, can't you just like someone else? Mr. Harrison isn't someone to mess with."