Chapter 182
By the time the food was ready, the two little ones had made their way back, one close on the heels of the other.
Seeing them, Evie blinked and asked with a grin, "So, did you two work things out?"
Emma nodded. "Yeah." She reached out and patted Jude on the shoulder, saying, "This is my new friend, Jude Harrison."
Evie couldn't help but laugh out and met Victoria's gaze. They shared a look that said it all–exasperation.
Evie's expression seemed to say, "See? This is kids' friendship. One minute, they're complaining about how annoying the other is, and the next, they're calling each other new best friends."
But Victoria didn't dwell on it and simply said, "Alright, Let's eat."
Later that evening, while the two kids played together with a babysitter waching over, Evie and Victoria headed out to Night Club as planned to meet up with Diana.
It had been a while since they last saw Diana, and her expression seemed colder than usual, with a hint of weariness.
Evie immediately asked, "What's wrong, Diana? Did something happen?" Victoria also looked at Diana with concern.
"My family came looking for me." Diana said.
Evie's eyes widened slightly. "Looking for you? What? To make you inherit their inheritance? Are you about to become a rich? Can we just ride on your coattails now?"
Diana's face remained impassive as she said, "They want to kill me."
Thud–the banana Evie had been biting into slipped from her hand and landed on the table. She mumbled, "K–Kill you? You... you're okay, right?"
Diana responded calmly, "Of course I'm fine. I was prepared."
Victoria pulled out a small vial and handed it to her. "This can knock someone unconscious in five seconds. Keep it on you, just in case."
Diana accepted it without hesitation. "Thanks."
Victoria asked anxiously, "Is there anything else I can do to help?" She never expected that while she had been dealing with her messes, Diana had been facing something this serious.
There was an icy edge in Diana's gaze, though her tone stayed composed and measured as she said, "They're trying to take me down because I'm a threat. I'm still single, and I'm my grandfather's favorite grandchild at that".
"He once wanted me to take over Ortiz Group directly as CEO, but those old geezers stopped him. Now, they plan to reduce the threat I pose. Once they make their move, I'll bide my time and strike back."
Evie picked up the fallen banana and resumed eating it. "So, what is your plan to deal with them?"
Diana said. "I need to get married. And I'm going to marry Barrett."
Thud—the banana Evie had just picked up fell again. She let out an exaggerated cry. "What? That spoiled brat? Are you serious? He screams trouble."
Victoria chimed in, "Diana, you need to think this through. Marriage isn't a game. Look at me—I'm a walking cautionary tale."
Diana mercilessly retorted, "Why would I look at you? It's not like I'm into your guy."
Victoria was left speechless, thinking, "Great. Might as well finish me off."
Seeing their shocked expressions, Diana added, "I'll have an honest talk with him. If he agrees, we'll get a marriage license. If not, I'll find someone else. Even if I get married, I won't let myself be put in a vulnerable position. No one will ever be my weakness."
As Evie and Victoria looked at Diana's face, cool and breathtaking like a marble statue, now set with determination, they let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Diana had always been clear–headed and rational. She knew exactly what she wanted and what sacrifices would yield the greatest return. She weighed the pros and cons of every decision, and everything she did was for herself.
"Alright, since you've got your goals sorted, I won't say anything".
Diana turned to Victoria and said, "I've lined up a bunch of contacts for your fragrance business. Just follow the order and get things done. I probably won't have time to handle your stuff for quite a while."
Victoria responded, "Tina and I can handle it." She felt a rush of emotion–Diana had been the one who got her here, guiding her every step of the way. But now, Diana had her priorities to deal with.
Victoria grabbed Diana's hand and said earnestly, "Diana, if you ever need anything, don't hesitate to ask."
Diana's expression remained calm as she replied, "Don't worry. I won't forget about you guys."
Evie poured a few glasses of wine, and the group clinked their glasses together, knocking them back in one go. They spent the night partying hard, drowning their nerves in booze, and cutting loose without holding back.
The renovations at the photography studio were finally done. Victoria came by to check it out. When she saw the space looking exactly like her design sketches, a smile lit up her face.
Tina, standing nearby, grinned and said, "Vika, now that this place is all set, you can bring clients in for shoots anytime."
Victoria looked around the photo studio. Everything had been done according to her specifications, with top–quality materials. "Yeah, we can start scheduling things now," she agreed with a slight nod.
"How about throwing a grand opening first?" Tina asked.
Victoria thought for a moment before replying, "Good idea. Let's pick a date for it."
Tina whipped out her phone and started scrolling through the calendar. "Alright, let's find a good one."
Victoria couldn't help but laugh at her enthusiasm. After a glance, she spotted a date just two days away. "Let's do it in two days. You take care of the invites, and I'll handle the food."
"Got it," Tina replied enthusiastically and headed straight back to her desk, phone in hand.
She had been gradually shifting from Victoria's assistant to taking on the role of her manager. With this project in place, the next step would be expanding the team.
Victoria went to the hospital and picked up the paternity test results for her and Emma Miller. When Victoria saw the line stating there was no biological relationship between them, she raised an eyebrow slightly. She wondered, "So, it wasn't a mix–up at birth? Then, who are my real parents?"
While Victoria was lost in thought, her phone rang. It was a call from Emma Miller. Victoria answered, "Hello?"
Emma Miller's voice was sharp from the moment the call connected. "Did you get the paternity test results? You've been missing for days! Is this how you behave as a daughter?"
Victoria replied indifferently, "Yes, I have the results. I'll bring them to you now." Without waiting for a response, she hung up, thinking some things were better said face–to–face.
By the time Victoria arrived, the restaurant was already open. As she stepped inside, she saw Emma Miller bustling around in an apron while a middle–aged man worked in the kitchen, busy cooking.
When Emma Miller noticed her, she snapped impatiently, "Oh, look at who finally decided to show up. Can't you see how busy it is here? Stop standing around like a fool and help out!"
Victoria didn't budge. Instead, she pulled out a chair at an empty table and sat down. "I'll have a plate of pasta, please," she said.
Emma Miller glared at her. "What? Are you kidding me? You're not going to help, and now, you want to eat? What's going on in that head of yours, you ungrateful brat?"
Victoria tapped her fingers lightly on the table. "First, I want a plate of pasta. Then, we'll talk about us."
Emma Miller frowned deeply but found herself hesitating under Victoria's calm and unbothered demeanor. Her confidence wavered for reasons she couldn't quite place.
Later, Emma Miller put of pasta in front of Victoria before sitting across from her.