Chapter 27 The decision
VICTORIA
“Would you like to join us?" Mr Thompson's question haunted me as I drove down the estate where my father lived.
I didn't give him an answer. Instead, I acted so dumb like I always did. I picked up my bag, got up, and left the office with a word I wasn't sure I would put into action.
“I'll think about it tonight."
I slammed my hand on the steering wheel, cursing myself out. That was the dumbest thing I had ever done, or maybe one of the dumbest things I'd ever done.
“You're such a fool, Victoria, such a fool," I whispered to myself as I drove into the large Villa.
I drove into the garage and parked my car, then stepped out and marched to the main house like a loser.
I reached the door and rang the doorbell several times before the maid answered it.
“Miss Victoria, welcome," the maid bowed and moved out of the way.
I nodded my head and walked into the house, my eyes darting around the empty living room.
I took the stairs to his study and didn't bother knocking before pushing the door open.
My father jumped and quickly hid the photo in his hand when he noticed the open door.
I smiled and pretended I didn't see it as I trudged in and slammed the door shut.
“Hello, Dad," I grinned and walked to the chair.
"Ah, my dear princess, you're here. I thought you wouldn't come over," he said, and I chuckled.
"Why won't I?” I muttered, and he grinned.
I sat in the chair and glanced surreptitiously at the overturned photo frame in the corner of the table, almost hidden away by the piles of files and books surrounding it.
"I'm sorry about the chaos I caused at the wedding anniversary party last night," I apologized, flushing in embarrassment.
He raised his brows and waved his hand in the air.
“You were just doing your job…” he paused and twitched his lips in amusement. "I forgot that isn't your job anymore,” he added, and I chuckled.
“Did you visit him in the hospital?" Father asked.
I knew he had already received information that I had gone there.
“Yes," I blurted out.
He paused what he was doing and looked at me, his eyes narrowing.
“She rejected the gifts, don't worry," I added quickly, and he scoffed.
"I wasn't expecting those greedy thieves to accept it anyway," he said, and my throat knotted.
Silence reigned in the room as I watched him clear his table slowly. He had a way of always doing his cleaning and didn't like other people interfering with it.
“About Sophia…”
He paused and switched his attention back to me again when I began to speak.
“I didn't mean to do that to her in front of her friends," I said, and he scoffed.
"Sometimes, when someone pushes too much, you react in a way that will leave them in their shells for weeks,” he said, and I nodded.
“But people misunderstood," I muttered, and he grunted.
"No one cares about anyone's opinion these days. Let them think whatever. Besides, that fool deserves the beating you gave him. That was just the tip of the iceberg compared to what he deserves," my father said, and happiness swelled up in me.
I nodded, smiling in satisfaction.
He paused and looked at me, his head tilting to the side.
“Have you thought of what I asked you?" He asked.
The smile on my face faded, and my heart clenched as Mr Thompson's words echoed in my mind.
I looked up at my father, unable to blurt out words or give a reasonable reply.
I had to make my decision now. I either had to choose to find that killer and make him pay or choose to lead my father's company and bring Simon down in every possible way.
In all these, I needed to take revenge on these two men.
I couldn't just take one and ignore the other. It was somewhat crazy.
I rubbed my hands together, cursing again for the third time in front of my father without realizing.
“Victoria?" His voice sliced through my confusing thoughts, and my head snapped up.
I unclenched my hands and sat up, gulping hard in frustration.
“What do you say?" He asked again.
This was the only chance I had to finally decide for myself.
Who would I choose to destroy first?
I looked up at my father and took a deep breath before parting my lips to reply.
“I'm sorry, I wish I could take up the company, Father, but I need to go back to being a detective,” I replied.
Hurt flashed across his eyes, and he sighed sharply, trying not to show the disappointment he felt.
I grabbed his hand and rubbed his knuckles, staring into his eyes with guilt killing me.
“I will come back, but first I have to help out the city. I have to make sure the deaths of those families don't go in vain. I need to save the next people on his victim list. Please, let me do this for the last time,” I muttered.
He chuckled and rubbed my pale hand, nodding in understanding.
“When I saw you run after that monster last night, I knew you had already chosen your path. I just wanted you to make it clear. Go on, I will give you my full support, only promise me, you will make that thief pay for his sins,” he muttered.
I wiped the tears that were dropping out of my eyes and nodded.
“I promise, father, I will make Simon pay, and I will hunt down this man, whoever he is," I said. His lips stretched into a smile, and he wrapped his hand around my head.
“I'm always proud of you, Victoria."
I got up from the chair and wrapped my hand around him, then kissed his forehead.
“Now that I've made up my mind, there is someone I must see," I said, and he nodded his head, waving his hand towards the door.
“Take care of your health and don't think too much," I said and tapped on the overturned photo frame.
He laughed, flushed in embarrassment, then waved me away.
“Yes, yes," he muttered as I walked out.
I marched out of the house with so much confidence and drove off to the CID.
When I reached the building, I walked straight into the department without thinking twice and went to Thompson's desk.
Everyone turned, staring at me in shock. Mr Thompson raised his head and stared at me with brows furrowed in confusion.
“Miss Victoria–"
"I accept. I accept to join the SIU again.”
Note: SIU stands for ‘Special Investigations Unit’.