Chapter 62
Since Victoria joined the company, Mr. Garcia’s mood had improved significantly, and Ailie was reaping the benefits too. The very day Victoria started, Ailie had been moved into a spacious new office-so it turns out, having the right connections really does make a difference.
As soon as Curtis let everyone go, Ailie sidled up with a mischievous grin.
“Looks like Mr. Garcia’s really taken a shine to you.”
Victoria absently rubbed her ankle, her tone casual. “Don’t be ridiculous. Mr. Garcia seems to like you just fine, too. I saw your new office. It’s huge.”
Ailie could hardly admit she’d scored the upgrade by selling out a friend, so she just laughed it off.
Suddenly, there was a commotion at the doorway. Simms walked in, accompanied by Yulia.
The moment Simms appeared, people clustered around him, eager to greet and flatter.
Yulia, at his side, wore a pale pink dress and a single string of pearls that made her look years younger than she really was. She held Simms’s arm with the effortless poise of someone used to wealth and attention.
Simms introduced her with a smile, “Ms. Morris.”
Everyone knew what that meant. Their eyes drifted to the enormous diamond on Yulia’s finger, and someone couldn’t help but tease, “Mr. Miller, is there happy news coming soon?”
Yulia blushed demurely. Simms was about to reply when a clear voice rang out behind him.
“Dad.”
Every head turned toward the tall, elegant woman in blue-a striking beauty who carried herself with regal composure.
Yulia, spotting Victoria, instinctively slipped her hand from Simms’s arm. She scolded herself for it immediately. There was no need for guilt now; she had every right to stand openly at Simms’s side. But whenever she faced the Turners, that old sense of unease crept back in.
Simms was just as stunned by Victoria’s appearance. Seeing her here left him speechless, the words catching in his throat.
Victoria had never appeared at public events before. Years ago, everyone simply knew the Turner family had taken in a son-in-law. After Mann and Edith passed, Simms had seized everything the Turners owned.
Now, in all of Starfall City’s business circles, Simms was a household name. The Turner family, on the other hand, had faded almost entirely from memory.
Someone broke the silence. “Mr. Miller, and this is…?”
Victoria’s beauty was so striking that a few older businessmen were reminded of someone they’d known years ago the daughter of an old friend.
Simms was cornered, unsure what to say. Yulia jumped in quickly, “Ms. Turner, let’s talk over here. No need to interrupt the men’s business.”
No one in Starfall City recognized Victoria, let alone knew she was Simms’s daughter.
Victoria looked at Yulia as if noticing her for the first time, a faint smile playing on her lips. “Nanny Yulia, I didn’t expect to see you here.”
Those simple words dropped Yulia from the status of elegant socialite to that of a household servant, and
voice carried just loudly
enough for everyone to hear.
No matter how hard Yulia tried to keep her composure, her face betrayed her discomfort.
The business leaders, who just moments before had looked at her with respect, now glanced her way with barely concealed judgment. Maybe she was imagining it, but Yulia felt their eyes were sizing her up faced with disdain.
A housekeeper?
Just a servant, after all.
“Victoria, this isn’t the time or place,” Simms said, barely containing his anger as he lowered his voice in warning.
His daughter was the spitting image of his late wife. Whenever Edith was around, she had a way of making him feel like he’d never quite belong. Simms hated that feeling.
Now, looking at Victoria, he felt the same shame rising up. No matter how hard he tried, he’d always be the Turner family’s son-in-law the charity case who had married in for comfort.
Victoria began to speak, her voice calm. “I am—”
Simms and Yulia both held their breath, hearts pounding.