Chapter 166

Chapter 166

"Victoria's father had a portfolio of assets under his name. After the Spencer family went down, Michael wanted control of those assets. Some of the fabricated evidence in the original case—he's the one who planted it."

The lawyer paused. "Aiden used Creative Haven's channels to move funds for Michael. In exchange, Michael connected him with that overseas building materials company."

Edward slid the photocopies back into the manila envelope. "How solid is the evidence?"

"About seventy percent. Once we receive confirmation from the other side, everything connects. Estimated one to two weeks."

After the lawyer left, Edward sent Victoria a message.

[Come by when you have a minute. There's something you need to see.]

Twenty minutes later.

Victoria walked in, spotted the manila envelope, and frowned slightly.

She sat down across from him. "You found something?"

Edward pushed the photocopies toward her. "Michael Spencer. Your uncle."

Victoria turned the pages one by one. By the third page, her lips pressed into a thin, hard line.

When she finished, she sat with her hand flat on the paper for a long time.

"...He planted fake evidence in my father's case. All to get his hands on those assets?"

"Yes."

Victoria lowered her head and stared at the words. She picked up the pages, read them again, and set them down. Her fingers didn't tremble.

A few seconds of silence. Then she spoke. "I need to visit the prison."

"I'll take you."

Edward didn't hesitate. He stood. "I have something to take care of there too."

His tone was perfectly casual.

But Victoria knew.

He had no business at a prison.

He just wanted an excuse to go with her.

She lowered her eyes as a quiet warmth flickered through her chest. Even the tension at the corners of her brows softened.

That afternoon, they drove to the correctional facility on the outskirts of the city.

Given who they were, the visitation paperwork was processed quickly.

Victoria sat in the visiting room for a few minutes before footsteps echoed from the other side of the steel door.

Nolan was led out in prison clothes. He sat down behind the glass, and his eyes lit up the moment he saw her.

"Victoria... how have you been? How's Yara?"

He scratched his head with a sheepish smile. "I've been doing okay health-wise. You two take care of yourselves out there. Don't worry about me."

"Yara's doing great."

Victoria pressed her lips together, studying him. "Dad, I need to ask you something. That case back then—was Michael behind it?"

The moment the words left her mouth, she saw Nolan's expression freeze.

It was exactly what Edward's investigation had uncovered.

Otherwise, her father wouldn't look so conflicted.

Nolan dropped his gaze to his own hands and said nothing for a long time.

"...How did you find out?"

His voice was barely above a whisper. "I told you not to dig into this. Did you listen to a single word I said? Do you have any idea what they'd do if they found you and Yara—"

He couldn't finish.

His whole body seemed to deflate. Even his sigh sounded heartbreaking.

"We traced it."

Victoria's voice was steady. "He planted fake evidence. Those assets are still in your name. He wanted them but couldn't get them. Did you know?"

She clenched her jaw, holding back the ugly words fighting to get out.

But her eyes went red.

She'd suspected her father had his reasons for staying silent.

She never imagined those reasons involved his own blood.

"...I knew."

Nolan's fingers curled into fists. He looked up at her, tears glazing his eyes. "Before everything went down, he came to me. Wanted me to sign the assets over. I refused. Then the case happened."

He looked away. "I didn't find out it was him until two years after I was locked up. But overturning a conviction takes evidence. I had none."

So he stayed.

Even as the world tore him apart.

He couldn't defend himself.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

Victoria's voice cracked. "Those people came after you in here—more than once—and you wouldn't say a single word to me. If something had really happened to you, how was I supposed to keep going?"

She stared into Nolan's eyes, her voice shaking.

If Edward hadn't stepped in—

She might never have seen her father again.

"Those people have plenty of dirt on their own hands."

Nolan glanced at her, guilt flickering across his face. "I was afraid you'd get dragged in and get hurt."

His tone was gruff.

Victoria's nails dug into her palms. "So you're willing to tell me now?"

Nolan's gaze shifted to Edward.

He recognized that face. He'd seen it in financial news.

"And this is...?"

"Edward. Her husband."

Edward stepped forward. "Mr. Spencer, we've already obtained evidence for the case. The appeal paperwork can be filed within one to two weeks."

Nolan's lips moved. "Are you serious about her?"

Edward straightened. "Very serious. You have my word—I won't let her be hurt."

Nolan studied him for a moment, still uneasy. "You don't mind that she has a child?"

"Not at all."

Edward's answer came without a shred of hesitation. "You may not know this, but Yara is actually my daughter."

He gave a brief account of everything that had happened.

"I see..."

Nolan looked down at his hands. A long moment passed before he raised his head again. "Those assets... I put them in a safe deposit box at the bank. I haven't been able to access them."

His voice went hoarse. "I was saving them for when I'm gone, or for when Victoria had a family of her own... Looks like my luck held out after all."

He said it with a sigh, the gray at his temples catching the fluorescent light.

Victoria's tears spilled over.

She didn't wipe them. She let them fall, dropping onto the counter between them. "Dad, just wait. Two months, tops. I'm getting you out."

She said it with iron certainty.

Nolan looked at her and smiled. The lines around his eyes ran deep.

"Okay. I'll wait."

His expression softened. "And when the time comes, I'll be waiting for you and Yara to come get me and take me home."

Visiting hours were up. Nolan stood and walked back toward the door. At the threshold, he turned, gave her a small nod, and disappeared down the corridor.

Victoria rose to her feet. Her steps leaving the visiting room were much slower than before.

Her mind was a tangle she didn't know how to unravel.

The need to dig deeper burned hotter than ever.

Edward walked beside her. She didn't look at him.

But her fingers reached over and brushed the edge of his sleeve. Then gently closed around it.

The gesture was small. But impossible to miss.

Edward glanced down for a second. He didn't pull away.

He turned his hand over and wrapped her smaller hand in his, tightening his grip just enough.

They walked like that, hand in hand, down the corridor toward the exit.

Outside, sunlight flooded their faces. Victoria let go, wiped the sweat from her palm, and murmured, "...Thank you."

"Don't say that again."

Edward's brow creased slightly. His voice was quiet but firm. "I've told you before. You don't need to thank me."

She looked up at him.

The sunlight traced every line of his face with sharp clarity. The words came out before she could stop them. "You meant what you said in there."

Edward paused for a beat, then understood. "Yeah."