Chapter 190
"Mrs. Harrison, it's an honor to have you here," Camille said with a warm smile as she stepped forward.
Jennifer gave a half–smile, her voice tinged with sarcasm. "So, did you only send me an invitation?"
As soon as these words were spoken, Camille's face instantly stiffened. How was she supposed to respond?
Should she tell Jennifer that they sent out invitations to others, but the guests simply didn't come?
There was no way she could say that.
"Mrs. Harrison, please, come in," Camille hurriedly said.
At that moment, Sarah came out and greeted her. "Mrs. Harrison, glad to meet you."
In contrast to Camille's careful approach towards Jennifer, Sarah was much more at ease and affectionate, even going as far as to link arms with her.
Jennifer showed no sign of impatience. Instead, she smiled and said, "You look so beautiful today. Congratulations on finding your biological parents."
Sarah smiled gently, her voice soft and sweet, "Thank you, Mrs. Harrison. I'm also very happy."
Camille, walking beside them, felt even more pleased.
Jennifer's fondness for Sarah meant she would likely support Henry divorcing and marrying Sarah. The fact that Sarah was her biological daughter only made her even more thrilled.
James also came out to greet Jennifer, engaging in casual conversation.
However, as time passed, not a single other car appeared. The Hardwicks were on edge as if sitting on pins and needles. The starting time for the family reunion banquet had already passed.
Jennifer leisurely sipped her coffee, appearing as if she hadn't noticed the Hardwicks' discomfort. Suddenly, she asked, "Why isn't Sebastian here? And Victoria hasn't come back, either?"
Camille quickly replied, "Sebastian is still handling some matters for the company. He'll be back soon."
As for Victoria , she didn't bring it up at all. Camille was extremely displeased with Victoria now.
If Victoria had returned, then Henry and Jude would unquestionably have come, too. Once the Harrison family showed up, surely the other guests would follow.
So, Camille believed their miserable situation today was all Victoria's fault.
Jennifer set her cup down and said with a smile, "Oh, didn't you know? Today, Victoria's photography studio had its grand opening. A lot of people went to congratulate her."
What?
Camille and James exchanged a glance, both stunned.
A photography studio opening?
They hadn't received any news about this at all.
Camille awkwardly smiled and asked, "What photography studio are you talking about?"
Jennifer looked at her with surprise. "She's your daughter, and you don't know about this? She's Vika, the renowned photographer in the industry! She's back in the public eye now, and many people are lining up to collaborate with her."
Those words felt like a slap straight to Camille's face. As Victoria's mother, she didn't even know about such a big thing happening.
Jennifer looked as if she had just realized something, nodding thoughtfully. "That's true. You've already acknowledged your daughter, so of course, she won't be close to you anymore. Mrs. Hardwick, you've failed in that regard."
That was a direct slap in the face to Camille. The latter stood there with a stiff expression, not daring to say a word.
Jennifer stood up and said, "I have a beauty appointment later, so I'll be leaving now."
Sarah, feeling a bit flustered, asked, "Mrs. Harrison, won't you stay a little longer?"
Jennifer shook her head. "No, but you, when you have time, come visit me at Harrison Villa. I enjoy watching you dance."
"Okay." Sarah nodded her expression somewhat forced.
Jennifer left, and the living room fell into an eerie silence.
"Bang!" After a moment, Camille suddenly swept everything off the table, sending it crashing to the floor, her face dark and grim.
She roared, "This damn girl is deliberately going against me!"
"We've raised an ingrate!" James said, his face dark with anger.
Sarah stood there, biting her lip to hold back her tears, and said, "How could Victoria do this? She knew today was our family reunion banquet and it's important to me, yet she chose to have her studio's grand opening today. Is she doing this on purpose to embarrass me?"
As she spoke, her tears flowed freely. "She can go against me, but doesn't she realize that doing this is making Mom and Dad embarrassed, too? Does she even care about you two?"
Her words were like adding oil to the flame, causing both James and Camille to erupt in fury.
James immediately said, "Find it out! I want to know where her studio is. I'm going to ask her what exactly she's up to!"
Victoria was swamped.
Henry's close friends arrived first. They brought flower baskets and gifts and then toured the studio. Barrett couldn't help but nod in approval. "Victoria, this is amazing. You're Vika!
"Do you know that my mom once wanted to hire her for a shoot? Unfortunately, she retired! Why didn't you tell me you were Vika earlier?"
Gideon smiled faintly, "She had devoted all her attention to Henry before, so how could she have the energy to run her business?"
Barrett clicked his tongue in admiration and then said, "But it's not too late now. Can I cut in line? My mom is currently working on a documentary and is looking for a photographer. Vika, do you have availability?"
Victoria smiled and said, "As long as your mother doesn't mind my skills being lacking, I'm happy to help."
"Then, it's settled!"
Soon after, business tycoons and influential figures arrived to offer their congratulations. The flower baskets at the door had already piled up into a small mountain, and it looked like there was no more room to fit them.
Evie and Sebastian arrived soon after, joining in to help greet the guests.
Under the bright sunshine, the studio was filled with people coming to offer their congratulations. After a few brief pleasantries, Sebastian arranged for them to go to the hotel.
Victoria had already made a reservation at the hotel, where everyone would dine together.
One by one, the guests began to leave, and Victoria finally sat down to catch her breath.
"Vika, congratulations!" Just then, an elderly voice rang out.
Victoria's expression stiffened, and she quickly stood up to see Edward walking in, dressed in comfortable, loose–fitting clothes. His wrinkled face was full of smiles.
"Sir Caldwell." She felt a sense of joy upon seeing Edward.
The old man smiled, glancing around the studio. "I didn't expect you're the photographer, Vika."
He knew her identity, and now, as he looked at her, his gaze was filled with emotions. "The young people these days are so clever. They can do everything."
Victoria smiled modestly, "Please don't tease me. I'm just interested in these things and willing to learn. Please, have some coffee."
Tina, ever perceptive, had already made coffee and brought it over.
Edward sat down and looked at her with a smile. "I came this time for two reasons. One is to congratulate you on the opening of your studio, and the other is to discuss something regarding Jayce."
Victoria's expression grew a bit more serious as she asked, "How is Mr. Caldwell's condition now?"
The old man let out a faint sigh. "This time, he has returned to his previous state. He locked himself in his room. I'm worried. So, I'm planning to send him abroad for treatment."
She furrowed her brows. "Has the aromatherapy no longer worked?"
Edward shook his head. "He hasn't even used it." He sighed again, and when he spoke of Jayce, it seemed as if he aged several years at that moment.
"Victoria, my dear, you're truly remarkable. I came here today to ask a favor of you."
Seeing Edward's solemn expression, Victoria nodded repeatedly. "Please, go ahead."
He spoke with a heavy tone, "I hope you could go and persuade him to go abroad for treatment. Maybe leaving the country will help ease his condition. I can't just stand by and watch him wither away. The Caldwell family only has him as the heir."
Edward's eyes reddened as he continued, "If something happened to him, I would never be able to forgive myself for not doing more for his parents."
Victoria's heart clenched at his words. She couldn't bear to see the elderly man so pained, especially since Edward had always been kind to her.
"Okay, I'll go," she nodded and promised.
Edward smiled with satisfaction, "You're a nice girl. Your career will only grow more and more prosperous."
He motioned for someone to bring in the gift, a lifelike, gorgeous wood carving. The craftsmanship was incredibly intricate, and it appeared extraordinarily valuable.
Victoria's eyes widened in surprise when she saw it. "Sir Caldwell, this is too precious..."
He waved his hand and said, "Just find a place to put it. It's just a decorative piece, nothing more."
She carefully instructed someone to place the gift properly, then arranged for a car to take him to the hotel.
Tina couldn't help but comment, "Vika, this old man is generous! I looked it up online. This kind of wood is insanely expensive! It's the kind of thing where there's only so much, and once it's gone, it's gone!"
Victoria nodded. "Yes, Sir Caldwell has been very kind to me."