Chapter 216
Victoria had been holed up at home, nursing her injuries for over two weeks. Every day, right on schedule, Curtis would check in on her―never prying for details, never asking why.
He even seemed to consider her feelings. If she wanted, he’d have the company cover the cost of a getaway, just to help her clear her head.
But Victoria didn’t need a vacation. What she needed was to become strong enough to reclaim everything the Turner family had lost-everything that belonged to her grandfather and her mother.
So she sat at home, sipping coffee and keeping up with the financial news. Yasmine would send her real-time updates on V&S Group’s latest R&D projects, and watching her bank balance steadily grow was Victoria’s greatest comfort.
Once her foot had healed enough, she knew she had to return to Quantum Core Technologies. She and Curtis weren’t exactly close, and the company’s most vital technology remained out of reach for her.
One afternoon, as she was buried in paperwork, her phone rang.
It was Gwyneth.
Victoria glanced at the screen but didn’t pick up right away.
Last weekend, Gwyneth had told her she was off to violin class, but Victoria knew she’d actually gone with McNeil to pick up Violet. She understood, and she wouldn’t hold it against her daughter-even if a younger Victoria might have lost sleep over it. Now, she’d accepted it. Maybe, she thought, she truly didn’t care anymore.
As the ringtone was about to cut off, Victoria finally answered.
“Hello?”
“Mom, tomorrow’s Saturday. Will you come and stay with me?” Gwyneth’s voice was direct as always, not a hint of hesitation.
“Are you home alone?” Victoria asked.
Gwyneth had just gotten back from school to the house on Winding Peak Lane, but the housekeeper had said Dad and Ms. Marchand were both out. She’d have to eat dinner by herself again. Thinking of her mom, she wished Victoria could be there right now-but she was staying with Violet, and didn’t know how to bring it up.
“Yeah. Tomorrow I’ll be alone too. Can you come?” Gwyneth pleaded.
If Dad and Ms. Marchand were still busy tomorrow, maybe she’d just go to Mom’s place instead.
Ever since Violet had recovered and gone back to work, she barely spent any time with Gwyneth. Dad seemed busier than ever now, too.
But Victoria had no time. Her desk was stacked with files that needed her attention.
“Gwyn, I can’t make it tomorrow,” she lied after a moment’s thought.
“I’m not even in Starfall City. I’m away on a business trip, so why don’t you call your dad, okay?”
Hearing that her mother wasn’t even in town, Gwyneth fell silent.
“When are you coming back? I can’t beat anyone in that game without you,” she finally said.
So it was about the game again. Victoria managed a gentle laugh. “I’ll get in touch when I’m back, honey.”
She really did need to stay home and focus on V&S Group matters. Tomorrow, she was even planning to visit her aunt.
With V&S Group finally on track, it was time to start laying the groundwork for another company. Right now, she couldn’t spare time for anyone who wasn’t essential to her plans-not even the daughter she used to treasure above all else.
Victoria worked late into the night. At one point, Ailie dropped by to vent about work, complaining that she’d have to put in extra hours at the office tomorrow.
Victoria remembered when she’d first joined Quantum Core Technologies. The competition had been fierce, but Curtis managed with a human touch; overtime was rare, and weekends were sacred.
Things changed when Violet was promoted to vice president. Now she made surprise rounds through the building, keeping a tight leash on every department- especially the ones under her direct supervision. People grumbled that they barely had enough time to grab a coffee or use the restroom.
Victoria just listened to Ailie’s complaints. There wasn’t much she could do.
When Victoria finally finished her work and was about to call it a night, her phone rang again.
It was the company’s landline. She frowned, glancing at the clock-it was past eleven.
What could be so urgent for someone to call her from the office this late?