Chapter 10
“Victoria, I hope you won’t fight with Violet. That girl has already suffered too much for McNeil. And “
The old man paused, his voice heavy. “She saved McNeil’s life. McNeil is the only heir of the Langford family. By saving him, she saved all of us. That’s a debt we can’t ignore.”
Thorpe’s words were earnest, almost pleading. “You’ve always been a sensible girl, and you love McNeil. Please, help Violet. Whatever you want-if it’s within my power, I promise I’ll make it happen.”
Victoria felt numb, the pain inside her so intense it had dulled everything else.
Violet saved McNeil’s life. But hadn’t she-Victoria-done the same? Hadn’t she risked everything for him too?
“Five years ago, when McNeil had just taken over Langford Group, he worked himself to the bone trying to earn the board’s approval. He was flying back and forth, across the country and overseas, thirteen times in a single week. For a twenty-million-dollar contract, he’d go days without food or sleep, camped outside a client’s office for three straight days.
He worked himself so hard, he collapsed and coughed up blood-fell into a coma for a week. The hospital ran out of blood. To save him, I donated so much I nearly died on the operating table. I saved his life too.”
Her tone was calm, almost indifferent, but every word landed with the weight of truth. She turned her gaze to the window, her heart as cold as a winter’s night.
The old man listened closely, the corners of his eyes misting over.
As an elder, he knew all too well how deeply Victoria cared for his grandson. That was why he felt the Langford family owed her so much.
But-
Violet mattered to McNeil, too. Years ago, he’d learned Violet couldn’t have children, and he’d been the one to break them apart.
The only condition McNeil set for marrying Victoria was that he’d be allowed to care for Violet for the rest of his life. He agreed.
He had to agree. He felt responsible for his grandson’s happiness.
For the sake of the Langford family, he’d sacrificed McNeil and Violet’s love, giving Violet a second chance at life as his own act of atonement.
He couldn’t bear to hurt McNeil again—so now, he was sacrificing Victoria.
“I know how much you care about McNeil,” he said at last, voice heavy with
remorse.
“Victoria, tell me what you want. As long as I can give it, it’s yours.”
When Thorpe Langford made up his mind, there was no changing it.
Victoria sat quietly, listening. She looked almost serene.
“If you insist I name my price, then I want fifty percent of Langford Group’s shares, transferred to my name. Immediately.”
Her eyes were steady, unwavering. Years ago, McNeil’s company had been worth less than ten million. She’d been the one to hold him up, to help him build an empire worth billions.
Fifty percent she was still asking for too little.
Thorpe’s sharp gaze grew even more penetrating at her request, but then he reconsidered.
If Victoria gave the family a grandson, all these assets would eventually belong to her child anyway. Giving her the shares now was just letting her safeguard them for a while.
He hesitated no more than three seconds.
“All right. It’s what you deserve.”
His voice was hoarse, choked with emotion. As Victoria turned to leave, he managed to say just two words: “Thank you.”
Victoria’s hand rested on the door handle. There wasn’t a trace of triumph on her
face-only a sorrow and bitterness no one else could see.
Violet’s life was worth half of Langford Group. But what about her own?
In the Langford family, how much was she worth?