Chapter 56 VICTORIA HUNT PART 2
Victoria stood next to Alexander. She looked exactly as Vivienne remembered, except for the new lines around her mouth. Ten years had been kind to her. Money bought the best skincare and everything else.
But it was Victoria's eyes that made Vivienne's stomach drop. They were the same. Cold and assessing.
Right now, those eyes traveled over Vivienne's face, cataloging her features, searching.
Vivienne forced herself to meet that gaze without flinching. She was Vivienne Cross anyway. She had nothing to hide.
"So," Victoria started, breaking the silence, "you're the one who's been monopolizing my son's attention."
It wasn't a question, but Vivienne answered anyway. "I don't know what you mean, ma'am. I'm simply just doing my job."
"Ma'am," Victoria repeated, her lips curving slightly. "How formal." She took a step closer, and Vivienne had to lock her knees to keep from backing away. "I don't believe we've been properly introduced. I don't think you know who I am."
Vivienne swallowed hard.
"A pleasure to meet you madam Victoria." The words tasted like ash.
Victoria tilted her head, studying Vivienne like a scientist examining a specimen. "By the way, why do you look familiar? Have we met before?"
Vivienne's heart stopped.
"I don't think so," she managed, proud when her voice came out steady. "I would remember."
"Hmm." Victoria's eyes narrowed slightly, then swept down, taking in the mocap suit and the sensors.
Her gaze stopped at Vivienne's collarbone.
The suit's neckline sat higher than most of her clothes, but when Vivienne had raised her arm earlier, it must have shifted. Just enough. Just barely enough to reveal a sliver of skin. A small patch of scar tissue.
Victoria went very still.
Vivienne watched something flash across the older woman's face. But it was gone in an instant, replaced by that smooth, still mask.
"Interesting," Victoria murmured, so quietly Vivienne almost didn't hear it.
"Mother." Alexander's voice cut through. "You don't need to drag Vivienne into this."
Victoria blinked, her attention snapping back to her son.
"Maybe for now, we don't," She gestured toward the far side of the studio, away from Vivienne. "Shall we?"
But as she turned to go, she paused and looked back at Vivienne one more time.
Then she walked away, Alexander following reluctantly, leaving Vivienne standing alone on the green screen with her heart in her throat.
Vivienne's hand moved to her collarbone, fingers finding the raised tissue through the suit. The one piece of evidence that surgery couldn't completely erase.
Through the studio's glass wall, Vivienne could see Alexander and Victoria in an intense conversation. Victoria's hands moved sharply, her face tight with anger. Alexander stood rigid, arms crossed.
Even from here, Vivienne could read him. He was defensive, frustrated. Trapped between his mother and a choice he couldn't simply make.
Victoria's voice rose, loud enough to carry through the glass, though the words stayed muffled.
Then clearly, unmistakably, "embarrassed me in front of Camille."
Alexander's response was quieter, but his face darkened.
Victoria pulled out her phone, thrusting it in his face. Even from across the room, Vivienne could see the screen. A photo of the coffee shop. Of her and Alexander sitting together, heads bent close in conversation.
Her stomach dropped.
Victoria's next words were loud enough to hear. "Some nobody you barely know instead of the woman who..."
"That's enough." Alexander's voice cracked like a whip.
Victoria drew back, clearly unused to being interrupted. "Excuse me?"
"I said that's enough. I'm not discussing this here."
"Then where, Alexander? You won't return my calls. You avoid family dinners. And now I have to hear from Camille, of all people, that you're gallivanting around the city with..." She gestured toward the studio, toward Vivienne. "With whatever this is."
"Vivienne Cross is my employee. A vital part of this project."
"Oh, is that what we're calling it now?" Victoria smiled wickedly. "An employee. How convenient."
"What do you want, Mother?"
"I want you at the gala next Friday. With Camille. As your date."
When the words hit, Vivienne saw Alexander's face go blank, all emotion wiped away.
"No."
"No?" Victoria's voice dropped dangerously. "Let me be clear, darling. The board is already questioning your judgment. Your uncle is circling like a vulture, waiting for you to fail. This project," she waved dismissively toward the studio, "is your last chance to prove you deserve your father's company."
"I'm aware."
"Then you understand that appearances matter. Stability matters. Showing up with some random woman you picked up at a coffee shop sends exactly the wrong message."
"Camille and I are over. That's not changing."
"She made a mistake."
"She cheated on me with Desmond. On our wedding day." Alexander's voice was cold as ice. "That's not a mistake. That's a choice."
"Which she's apologized for repeatedly." Victoria stepped closer to him, lowering her voice, though not enough. "She was young. Stupid. But her family's connections, their support, we need that right now. The board needs to see a united front. A future."
"Find another way."
"There is no other way." Victoria's composure cracked. "The vote is in two weeks, Alexander. Two weeks to prove you can lead this company. And if you fail, if you lose this company because you're too stubborn to do what's necessary."
"Then I fail."
There was a moment of silence.
Victoria stared at her son like she didn't recognize him. "Your father would be ashamed."