"You sure?" he asked yet again, his brows knitting as if he could somehow read between her words.
She rolled her eyes. "I'm okay."
His gaze lingered, skeptical. "What was that about just now? How are you related to Daniel?"
"I thought you said you heard about my broken engagement?" she asked, her tone flat but laced with a quiet warning.
"I did, but I didn't read the details. Daniel was—" His voice trailed off as realization hit him, his lips parting slightly.
"Yeah," she said, a little softer this time, eyes dropping to her desk. "Let's not talk about them, okay?"
"Okay," he agreed, though the curiosity in his eyes said otherwise.
"So, what brought you here?" she asked, forcing lightness into her voice as she turned back to her work.
He approached the visitor's chair and sat down casually, leaning back. "Had a meeting with Daniel and decided to stop by and say hi."
"That's nice of you…" Her head snapped up mid-sentence, curiosity creeping in. "Wait— you're working with Daniel?"
"Not really. I'm investing with them," he replied, crossing his legs like he had all the time in the world.
"What's there to invest in?" she asked, her tone sharp now, irritation slipping through. "He's a two-faced backstabber."
"You don't want me to work with him?"
"I didn't say that," she countered, pushing her chair back slightly. "Just telling you to be careful. He's more about gaining than giving."
"We all are," he said matter-of-factly, his eyes narrowing. "But… if it doesn't sit well with you, I can call off the deal with him."
"Don't," she said quickly, shutting down her computer with a soft click. "So they won't come after me." She stood, picked up her already-arranged bag, and turned to him with a faint, guarded smile. "I'm done. Shall we?"
Sure, he said, standing up as they both left.
They approached the driveway, the cool night air brushing against their faces. Somewhere in the distance, the faint hum of the city blended with the rhythmic chirp of crickets.
"…So, regarding the launch tomorrow…" he let his words trail off, watching her from the corner of his eye.
"Yeah, I told you I'll go out with you. I don't go back on my words," she said, her tone firm yet soft, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips.
He smiled, an uncharacteristically warm one. "Okay, I'll let you head home. Have a good night's rest."
"You too," she said, entertaining her car. The driver stepped forward, opening the door for her. As she slid into the seat, her perfume lingered faintly in the air, making him hesitate before stepping back.
The driver pulled away, the car disappearing into the night as he stood watching for a moment longer than necessary.
He exhaled. Turned and Left.
Meanwhile,
Daniel and Mabel were both seated in their car, heading home. The city lights streamed past the windows, casting shifting patterns across Mabel's face.
"I just hope Victoria doesn't change his mind and make him call off the deal," Mabel muttered, irritation laced in her words. The sting of her failure at Victoria's office still clung to her like a stubborn shadow.
"Mabel, please don't," Daniel replied, his tone firm but calm. "He won't listen to a brainless woman and throw away a deal worth millions."
Her jaw tightened at his choice of words, but then she exhaled slowly. "Yeah, you're right. He's not so easily influenced," she said, her lips curving into a confident smile, though it was unclear if she was reassuring Daniel, or herself.
Outside, the car rolled smoothly through the night, but inside, the air was thick with unspoken thoughts neither dared to voice.
The Montess Mansion.
The car rolled to a slow stop at the driveway, its headlights casting long shadows over the grand stone steps. Victoria stepped out gracefully, the night air cool against her skin.
The moment she entered the main hall, her eyes caught movement, there were people inside. A faint murmur of voices drifted through the air. Her pace quickened. As she approached, the familiar faces came into focus.
"Mum!" she called out, her voice tinged with relief as she walked hastily toward them. But her mother's expression was far from warm.
As soon as Victoria got close, her mother's question hit like a slap.
"Why didn't you tell us the engagement was cancelled?"
Victoria froze, her pulse skipping.
"I… I wanted to," she murmured.
"Baby…" Her mother's tone softened as she rose from her seat and stepped closer. "No matter what the situation is, your happiness comes first. Don't forget that."
"I'm going to make sure that bastard pays for what he did," Owen, her brother, cut in from where he sat. His voice was laced with venom, though his appearance was a comfort, he looked far healthier than when he had left. He was healing, and that was a good sign.
"No need to rush," her father said, his voice steady but cold. "I have a meeting with his father tomorrow. I'll see to it they give a reasonable explanation for their son's actions."
All this while, Victoria said nothing. Her gaze moved from her father, to her mother, to her brother. She had expected this confrontation, but instead of fear, a warm, bittersweet feeling swelled inside her. The wall she had been holding up for days finally cracked.
She dropped her bag, the sound echoing faintly in the hall, and before she could stop herself, she rushed forward.
"Mum…" she breathed, running straight into her mother's arms. The hug was fierce, her hands clutching tightly as all the pent-up emotions overflowed at once.
Her mother held her close, rubbing slow circles on her back, while the rest of the family looked on. Owen was ridge with anger, Her father sat there with quiet resolve. The Montess family, united with love this made Victoria felt more loved.
At dinner that night, the warm glow of the chandelier cast a golden hue across the table as the clinking of cutlery filled the air.
"So, how have you been managing the company?" Owen asked, leaning back in his chair with a curious glint in his eyes.
"Quite well," Victoria replied, dabbing the corner of her lips with a napkin. "I did learn a few things from Dad. And yes… I secured a partnership with the Sterling Group."
Her father froze mid-bite, then slowly set his cutlery down. "Seriously?" he asked, his voice laced with both surprise and excitement.
"Yes, Dad," she said with a subtle, proud smile. "And it's already in full swing now."
Owen let out a low whistle, shaking his head. "I'll admit, I did look down on you, lil' sis… but man, I did not expect this," he chuckled, raising his glass in a playful toast.
Victoria's lips curved into a smile, a mixture of pride and quiet satisfaction warming her chest. For the first time in a long while, she felt the table's respect shift toward her, and it felt good.