Chapter 176
Along the way, Pete was trying to converse with Jude.
However, Jude remained distant, only giving short replies.
Victoria noticed that he seemed somewhat put off by Pete's presence.
Before long, they arrived at the hospital. As they stepped into the elevator, Victoria leaned over and whispered to Jude, "Your great–grandma is kind. You don't need to feel nervous."
Jude shook his head. "Don't worry, Mom. I'm not nervous."
He'd spoken to Ava on the phone and thought she was wonderful.
Victoria smiled. But when she looked up, she caught Pete staring at Jude, lost in thought.
Just then, the elevator doors opened.
She didn't dwell on it and walked straight to the ward, only to find it empty.
Victoria was immediately startled. "Where's my grandma?"
Pete turned around to find a nurse and ask about the situation.
The nurse replied, "Ava was transferred half an hour ago to a high–end sanatorium. It's one of the best in Camorcham. She'll recover better there."
Victoria's expression darkened. "You transferred her without her family's consent?"
The nurse blinked and replied, "A family member did the transfer. A man claimed to be Ava's granddaughter's husband and even showed the marriage license."
Victoria's face went pale instantly.
Suddenly, she recalled what Henry had said.
She realized that her repeated refusals had angered him, prompting him to take Ava away to somewhere she couldn't reach her.
Pete frowned deeply. "This is complicated. Calling the police might not help."
Victoria took a deep breath, steadying herself. "Grandma will be okay."
At that moment, her phone rang. She quickly checked and saw it was Ava calling.
"Hello, Grandma!" Victoria answered, her voice tinged with anxiety.
Ava's cheerful voice came through, "Vicky, don't worry. I'm fine. This sanatorium has a great environment. I'll stay here."
Hearing that Ava was safe relieved Victoria, Suppressing, her anger and anxiety, she tried to keep her tone normal as she replied, "I'll come to bring you back."
"Why?" Ava asked. "I'm fine here. At my age, it doesn't matter where I spend my days. Vicky, you don't have to do anything against your will for me. Just do what makes you happy. That's what's most important, okay?"
Pete quickly took the phone and asked, "Ava, those people didn't harm you, did they?"
Victoria couldn't hear their conversation, anger surging inside her.
Jude was puzzled. Ava was missing, and it seemed to be connected to his father. He couldn't help but wonder what Henry had done.
Victoria leaned in and said to Jude, "You go back to Lanceser with Barrett. I'll join you soon, okay?"
Jude nodded. "Okay."
Soon, Pete returned with a complicated look on his face. "Ava seems to be enjoying herself there."
Victoria took the phone back and pocketed it, saying, "I still need to see her to feel at peace. I'll take Jude back to the hotel first. You can handle your business."
Pete replied, "I'll drop you off and wait for you downstairs. Just let me know if you need anything."
"Alright," Victoria replied.
After returning to the hotel, she went to Barrett first, handing Jude over and asking him to take him back to Lanceser.
Noticing her tense demeanor, Barrett asked, "Victoria, what's going on?"
"It's between me and Henry. Just take Jude back," she replied.
Barrett's expression grew complicated. He wanted to say something but interrupted himself after remembering Henry's earlier words.
"Alright, I'll make sure Jude gets there safely." He nodded and added with a smile, "We've known each other for years. If you need anything, just let me know."
Victoria managed a smile as she watched them leave.
Once they were gone, she turned and headed toward the elevator, her smile vanishing instantly.
The elevator carried her to the top floor. She approached the presidential suite and battered at the door.
She fought to suppress her anger, though her hands trembled slightly.
Jacob answered the door with a warm smile, saying, "Mrs. Harrison."
Ignoring his greeting, Victoria stepped inside, but Henry was nowhere to be found. Instead, she found Sophia lounging on the sofa, trying on a high–quality pearl necklace. The table was strewn with more than a dozen open boxes of jewelry.
Sophia looked up and smiled, "What do you think of the jewelry Henry gave me?"
Victoria's expression was icy; she ignored Sophia and continued searching for Henry but failed.
She immediately turned her gaze to Jacob and demanded, "Where's Henry?"
"Why do you need to see him?" Sophia interjected. "Henry doesn't love you at all. Why can't you just let him go?"
Victoria brushed her off and said to Jacob, "I want to see him."
"Henry won't see you!" Sophia piped up again. "He's fed up with you. Just get out. You better file for divorce and leave him, so..."
Before she could finish, Victoria slapped her hard across the face.
Sophia, holding a jade bracelet, glared at Victoria in shock. "How dare you hit me?"
With a cold glare, Victoria retorted, "This isn't the first time I've slapped you. Don't test me. Just shut up!"
Seeing Sophia too scared to speak again, Victoria turned to Jacob. "Where is he?"
"Mrs. Harrison, Mr. Harrison has been waiting for you. Please come with me," Jacob said.
Victoria, still fuming, followed Jacob out.
Once they were gone, Sophia screamed, her face twisting in rage.
"Bitch! You slapped me over and over again!
Damn it! I'm going to kill you!" she thought.
Fuming, Sophia clutched the jade bracelet tightly and made a call. "Do I have any stalking fans in Camoreham?"
Jacob led Victoria to the hotel's meeting room.
The door was closed when they arrived, and Jacob said, "Mr. Harrison is in a meeting. Please wait a moment, Mrs. Harrison."
But Victoria pushed the door open, abruptly drawing everyone's attention inside.
Ignoring the stunned stares, she marched straight to Henry, picked up a glass of water from the table, and splashed it across his face.