Chapter 255

Chapter 255

"That's actually pretty good."

Victoria turned off the faucet and picked up a paper towel, drying her hands unhurriedly. Her tone was calm. "Just let things take their natural course. You can't force feelings, but there's no need to worry too much about the future either. I think you and Liam are actually quite well-matched."

Thalia hadn't expected to hear the word "well-matched" from Victoria. She froze for a moment, then her face broke into a genuine, bright smile, tinged with sweetness and relief. "Really? You think so too?"

Getting Victoria's approval put her mind at ease.

"Yeah."

Victoria nodded and tossed the paper towel in the trash. "He can be impulsive sometimes, but he's serious about you. And you can keep him in line."

The two women smiled at each other. Some things didn't need to be said. They both understood.

They left the restroom and returned to the private room.

Liam and Alexander had already settled the bill and were talking quietly about something.

When they saw the women return, Liam's gaze immediately fell on Thalia, filled with undisguised tenderness and inquiry.

Thalia nodded slightly at him, and Liam's face instantly showed a relieved smile.

As night deepened, the four of them left the restaurant. The evening breeze carried a hint of coolness.

Victoria and Alexander said goodbye to Liam and Thalia, and they each got in their cars and left.

The car drove smoothly along the road home, neon lights flashing past the windows.

Victoria leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes slightly. So much had happened that day. Although she hadn't been physically harmed, she was inevitably a bit mentally exhausted.

Alexander reached out and gently took her hand, his warm, dry palm conveying silent comfort and support.

Victoria didn't open her eyes, just clasped his fingers in return, feeling the reassuring warmth.

Veda's madness, Hayden's regret, Liam's struggles and sweetness in getting back together with his friend... all of it was like the scenery outside the car window, constantly flying backward.

And her life, her path, would continue forward, together with Alexander beside her, toward a broader, more unknown future, yet one full of infinite possibilities.

Those past shadows and thorns would eventually be crossed hand in hand, becoming distant scenery behind them.

A week was enough time for many storms to settle.

Veda's case of hiring someone to cause harm had solid evidence and quickly entered the judicial process. What awaited her would be a long prison sentence, with no possibility of causing more trouble.

The Gonzalez family, after that storm, fell into an eerie calm. Hayden seemed to have truly reflected on his actions and no longer tried to bind Victoria with false family affection, only occasionally sending a few cautious greetings.

Liam and Thalia started a long-distance relationship—one reorganizing the Gonzalez Group domestically, the other running Victrix Luxury Goods Company abroad, maintaining their relationship through modern communication tools. Though the future was uncertain, they both cherished each other more.

On a Saturday morning, the sun was bright and the breeze gentle.

A low-key, luxurious black SUV left the bustling Emerald City and headed toward the countryside on the outskirts.

Alexander was in the driver's seat. Today he had rarely taken off his formal suit and changed into comfortable casual wear, losing some of his business tycoon sharpness and gaining a more homey warmth.

In the passenger seat, Victoria also wore a simple white T-shirt and jeans, her long hair casually loose, her delicate face looking especially soft in the sunlight.

And in her arms lay a little girl as cute as a porcelain doll—Bianca.

Bianca had her hair in two adorable pigtails and wore a pretty floral dress. She was chattering away in her sweet childlike voice, excitedly telling Victoria about interesting things that happened at kindergarten.

"Victoria, let me tell you, yesterday my classmate shared her cookies with me. They were strawberry flavored and so yummy!"

"And, and, the teacher praised my drawing, said my bunny looked the most realistic!"

"There's this boy who keeps pulling my pigtails. So annoying! But I told the teacher and she scolded him!"

Bianca's little hands clutched tightly at Victoria's clothes, her big eyes shining, her small face full of dependence and joy.

Victoria looked down at her, listening patiently, occasionally reaching out to smooth her bangs that had been messed up by the wind, her eyes showing a tenderness she herself hadn't noticed.

Alexander watched this scene through the rearview mirror, his lips unconsciously curving into a deep, satisfied smile.

Sunlight poured into the car, enveloping Victoria and Bianca in a warm glow. Bianca's soft, childish babbling and Victoria's occasional gentle responses wove together, creating an incredibly warm picture.

In this moment, Alexander's heart filled with an indescribable sense of security and happiness, as if they were truly a family of three, heading out on a warm family trip.

The car drove smoothly along the winding country road, with green fields on both sides dotted with farmhouses. The air was filled with the fresh scent of earth and grass.

Away from the city's noise, everything here seemed so peaceful and serene.

Finally, the car stopped outside a clean, tidy farmhouse.

A low wall built of blue bricks was covered with green vines. The wooden gate was slightly ajar, giving off a simple, welcoming feeling.

Victoria got out first, then carefully took Bianca's little hand.

Bianca bounced along beside her, curiously looking around.

"We're at Grandma's house."

Victoria's voice unconsciously softened.

Alexander took out various supplements and gifts he had prepared from the trunk and followed behind them.

As soon as the three entered the yard, there was movement from the kitchen.

Gemma, wearing an apron, wiped her hands on it and hurried out of the kitchen.

Gemma's hair was neatly combed. Though her face was covered with the wrinkles of time, her eyes were still bright and alert.

When she saw Victoria standing in the yard, with Bianca holding her hand, and behind them the dignified Alexander carrying bags large and small, her face instantly burst into a brilliant, kind smile, the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes smoothing out.

"Victoria's back! Quick, come inside!"

Gemma's voice carried a thick rural accent, but was incredibly warm and sincere. She stepped forward, her gaze lovingly sweeping over the three of them, finally settling on Alexander. She smiled and nodded. "Alexander came too. Good, good, good. You didn't need to bring all these things!"

When facing Gemma, who had raised Victoria, Alexander put away all his sharpness, his attitude respectful and gentle. "Grandma, just a small token, to help you stay healthy."

Victoria looked at the genuine smile on Gemma's face, felt the familiar atmosphere of the yard, and heard the aroma of food Gemma was stewing in the kitchen. The faint coldness and distance that had been lingering in her heart completely dissipated in this moment, turning into peace and calm.

Here, there were no false calculations from the Gonzalez family, no treacherous business world, no bloody struggles from the dark world.

Here there was only warm cooking smoke, simple care, and Gemma, who had raised her since childhood.

This was the place she truly recognized deep in her heart, the home where she belonged.

And Bianca, whose hand she held, and Alexander, standing beside her—from now on, they would be like Gemma, becoming the most important, indispensable family in her life.

This small, warm family they formed would be her eternal harbor and source of strength.

Sunlight filled the small yard, stretching the shadows of the four people, intertwining them together, full of simple yet real happiness.

The road ahead was still long, but as long as they were by her side, Victoria felt fearless.