Chapter 14
It wasn't what the butler had imagined.
Victoria didn't fly into a rage, nor did she scream hysterically.
She just tugged at her lips and calmly accepted the label he'd given her.
Coldly, she said, “Mrs. Smith wants to see me. Are you sure you won’t let me in?”
It wasn't that she wasn't hurt or upset.
But Victoria knew what mattered most right now.
She lowered her eyes, hiding the growing sourness spreading through her.
Hearing this, the butler's expression stiffened, then quickly changed to another look. "Ms. Spencer has changed so much, I didn't even recognize you. But since it's Mrs. Smith's wish, I'll make an exception and let you in."
He smiled, but his words turned into blades, stabbing directly into Victoria's heart.
Her heart ached until it was almost numb.
She pulled at the corners of her mouth and walked in expressionlessly.
The interior was extremely luxurious, every detail showing the work of top designers.
In the banquet hall, glasses clinked, and people gathered in small groups, discussing recent gossip.
Victoria stopped and stood in a corner.
She seemed isolated from everyone else. People passed by her without even sparing her a glance.
For her, this was the best situation.
But what was this inexplicable sense of loss in her heart?
Victoria pressed her lips together, lowered her brows, and stopped looking up.
Suddenly, there was a commotion in the distance. People gathered together, surrounding a familiar figure.
Victoria looked over.
It was actually Bianca.
There was still some time before the family banquet officially started. Mrs. Smith would come down later.
Victoria knew clearly that if she walked into the crowd now, nothing good would happen.
Better to avoid trouble when possible.
She pressed her lips together and retreated into the shadows, lowering her presence.
But she couldn't help hearing others' discussions.
"I heard this Ms. Johnson is Winnie's friend who came back from overseas. Look at her bearing! She's just different from everyone else!"
"She's also a very famous designer! If there's a chance, I should talk to Winnie about it..."
Winnie Smith.
Aiden's aunt, and also a very influential designer.
Victoria had met her a few times before, but had never heard about her relationship with Bianca.
Victoria's face was half-hidden in shadow as she looked toward where Bianca was.
She stared almost masochistically, then closed her eyes after a while.
She should have realized it earlier.
Bianca's familiarity with the Smith family couldn't have been faked in just a day or two.
Aiden had really gone to great lengths to make her appearance legitimate.
Victoria tugged at the corners of her mouth, unable to even force out a smile.
Her throat felt stuffed with cotton, extremely uncomfortable.
But still, some people wouldn't leave her alone.
"Isn't this Victoria! Why did you come dressed like this today? Don't you care about this family banquet?"
A harsh voice reached her ears, full of contempt.
Victoria pressed her lips together and looked up. It was a distant relative of the Smith family.
Ever since her hand was injured and she could no longer draw designs, these people who loved stirring up trouble had looked down on her everywhere.
Pain flashed through her eyes, but she remained silent.
Seeing this, the woman became even more arrogant. "Victoria, I'm not trying to be mean, but jobs are hard to find now, and your hand... I have a cleaning job available. How about I recommend you for it?"
Mocking laughter erupted around them.
Everyone knew why Victoria's hand was injured and knew her current situation wasn't favored, but they all chose to ignore it without exception.
Victoria's gaze swept over the surrounding people, seeing many familiar faces.
She lowered her eyes submissively and forced out a smile. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I've already found a new job. I don't need your help for now."
Her heart felt ice-cold.
The anger in her chest kept rising. Her fingers were clenched so tight they hurt.
Victoria bit her lip and swallowed this breath of anger.
She had to complete Aiden's task and resolve her debt.
If she caused a scene now, all her previous patience would be for nothing.
She couldn't allow that to happen!
Victoria closed her eyes, trying hard to maintain the smile on her face.
"Isn't this Ms. Spencer? Long time no see." Bianca had somehow walked over, acting all friendly.
Her gaze swept over Victoria meaningfully as she said with a smile, "By the way, I just released a new work recently. I wonder if Ms. Spencer has been following it?"
Victoria frowned slightly, about to respond.
"I'm sorry, Ms. Spencer, I wasn't thinking when I spoke." But Bianca didn't give her a chance to answer, covering her mouth apologetically. "I forgot about your hand. Ms. Spencer probably can't continue working as a designer now, right? How pitiful."
As she spoke, she pulled up the so-called new work on her phone and shoved it right in front of Victoria.
Bitch!
Victoria's mood had been relatively calm, but when she saw the image on the phone clearly, that calmness could no longer be maintained.
Her pupils dilated, her red lips pressed tightly together, forcibly suppressing the anger and sadness in her heart.
This was clearly her design!
Was Aiden giving even the drafts she'd casually left behind to Bianca?
Was he going to strip away even her last bit of value without hesitation?
She had thought her heart was already numb.
But Victoria discovered she was wrong.
Seeing those familiar brushstrokes and accumulated design inspiration.
All her composure was thrown aside, leaving only pure anger and despair.
And the people around her kept adding fuel to the fire.
"Bianca's work looks so good! Everyone, come look! Not like some people who can't even hold a glass of water steady now. Really don't know what the point of them living is."
"Bianca is a famous designer! Look at that pretty face! Look at that perfect design!"
Victoria's lips were dry and cracked, bleeding from being pressed together so tightly.
She wanted to force out a smile but couldn't. Tears swirled in her eyes, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall.
While everyone was looking at Bianca, Victoria turned her face slightly to the side and quickly raised her hand to wipe away the tears about to fall from the corner of her eye.
"Bianca is naturally perfect." Aiden suddenly appeared, pulling Bianca into his arms, his tone dripping with mockery. "Some trash, of course, can't compare."
Everyone praised what a perfect couple they were, but no one paid attention to Victoria in the corner, like an ugly duckling.
She was filled with hate, her back teeth clenched tight, even her heart trembling.
Victoria wanted nothing more than to turn around right now and leave this disgusting place.
But she slowly released her clenched hands and closed her eyes.
No.
Aiden's grandmother had specifically wanted to see her today. She couldn't just walk away like this.
And.
Victoria opened her eyes, staring straight at the ground.
Thirty million dollars.
If she left now, she would have to repay thirty million dollars in debt.
Yara was still in the hospital, waiting for money for a kidney transplant.
She couldn't be that selfish.
The crowd bustled around her, but Victoria felt like she'd been thrown into an ice cave, cold all over.
She tugged at her lips and said with difficulty, "I really should learn from Ms. Johnson."