Chapter 71 Seeing Through False Intentions
Victoria furrowed her brow, puzzled. "What are you getting at?"
Karen sparked up a cigarette, took a smooth drag, and flashed a relieved smile, her red lips pursed.
"Look, I've been making waves at the club lately, drawing in a crowd of a few hundred. People show me respect, you know?"
"I was feeling pretty good, maybe a tad cocky, thinking you lucked out having a sister like me!"
Olivia, watching Karen speak, nervously tugged at her clothes, worried they might clash.
"Karen, you're really killing it!" Victoria's tone was understanding, not upset.
In the past, Victoria would've found Karen's attitude off-putting.
But after everything they'd been through, she saw Karen's true nature – kind-hearted and straightforward.
Karen didn't hold grudges or beat around the bush; she spoke her mind.
"But it's not cutting it!" Karen sounded frustrated, unable to match Victoria's success. "You're way ahead, and I've been trailing behind!"
"Karen, we all have our parts to play, moving forward together. Without you, Olivia, even Monica, I wouldn't have come this far." Victoria's eyes reflected sincerity.
They clasped hands, drawing strength from each other.
"Oh, Victoria, why didn't you invite Monica?" Olivia asked, puzzled.
Initially, she thought Victoria distrusted Monica, but now she realized she was mistaken.
"We've all been through hell... except Monica." Victoria hesitated. "She's had a cushy life. I worry she won't understand what we're doing now."
Karen nodded. "True. Let's ease her into it and see how she reacts."
Victoria agreed and got down to business.
"Karen, you need to find a way to clean up the club earnings pronto," Victoria directed. "The piano studio can be a good front. Olivia, figure out how to launder the money."
Karen nodded. "Gotcha."
"But Victoria, I'm lost when it comes to money stuff!" Olivia looked anxious.
She wasn't big on reading but had a knack for customer service. Numbers, though, were a different story.
"No worries, we'll hire someone. You find a trustworthy, numbers-savvy person to handle our finances. They'll be in charge of all our accounts moving forward."
"Alright, I'll start the search right away," Olivia said, taking the lead.
"Lastly," Victoria picked up a file from the table, the intel Karen had gathered. "Fill me in on this."
Karen shot up, leaning against the table, a mischievous grin on her face. "Victoria, that Adrian dude is just a creep."
Victoria choked a bit, wondering if there were any normal folks in the Cross family.
She awkwardly inquired, "How so? What makes him a creep?"
"He's into stealing Nathaniel's ladies," Karen blurted out. "Every single one with a name that Nathaniel's been with, Adrian swoops in, trying to charm them away, openly or sneakily."
Victoria mulled it over, a suspicion forming.
"And he's successful every time. Once he's got them, he doesn't value them, just enjoys the conquest."
Olivia gasped, rolling her eyes. "What's his deal?"
"Just to rile up Nathaniel," Karen stated confidently.
Victoria saw the logic in it.
Nathaniel was a control freak, and even though Adrian was the CEO of Genesis Corporation on paper, Nathaniel held all the strings.
If Adrian couldn't challenge Nathaniel head-on, he resorted to these sneaky tactics to get under his skin.
Victoria drummed her fingers on the table, her gaze intense.
"After all this time, has Nathaniel never lost his cool? Letting Adrian run wild like this?" Victoria inquired.
"Nathaniel's used to it," Karen remarked, a disdainful smirk typical of high society. "It's just a woman, not worth a big fallout. If Nathaniel gets annoyed, he might give a warning or find a replacement."
"There are plenty of women out there! Nathaniel won't run out," Karen added hastily, realizing her words might be taken the wrong way. "Sorry, Victoria, that came out wrong!"
Victoria, now Nathaniel's partner, seemed composed externally but felt a twinge inside. "It's fine. Nathaniel and I have always had a transactional relationship. Once I get what I want, I'll move on."
Karen agreed. "Exactly. Best to steer clear of the Cross family drama."
Victoria had it all figured out.
Adrian wanted to challenge Nathaniel but lacked the power for a direct confrontation. So, he resorted to unsettling Nathaniel in other ways.
And his chosen method? Women. Adrian's tactic to unsettle Nathaniel was through women.
Stirring up a feud between the two powerful Cross men over a woman wasn't worth it. Hence, Adrian used this strategy to provoke Nathaniel.
Reflecting on this, Victoria chuckled wryly, a mix of self-awareness and resignation.
"I'm just a pawn in their game."
Thankfully, she never fell for Adrian's false charm.
Olivia was outraged. "He's such a jerk! I thought the guy sending flowers to the studio was romantic! I even hoped he'd win over the girl he liked..."
"No, it's better this way!" Victoria interjected, composed.
This way, things wouldn't spiral out of control.
"Good deeds without a cause, I can't trust. The cost behind them might be too high. But a purposeful exchange, that's my preference."
She reminisced about how Adrian had gone all out to rescue her at sea, how he had readily provided resources. A self-deprecating chuckle escaped her. "He really pulled out all the stops for me, this 'toy'."
A mischievous grin danced on Victoria's face. "Since Adrian has set his sights on me, aiming to use me as a pawn, then I'll turn the tables to my advantage."
"Let's see in the end, who's playing whom."
After weighing everything, she felt a sense of relief.
An Adrian with hidden agendas was far safer and more beneficial than an Adrian claiming to be "in love" with her.
Just then, Karen's phone buzzed. She glanced at it. The information she had sent for verification had received some feedback.
"Oh, Victoria, Genesis Corporation has been making significant moves lately, but I'm not sure if this info is helpful."
Karen handed her the phone. "They're looking to bid on a piece of land in the eastern part of Seaglow City."
Victoria took the phone, finding a business news article on the screen.
An open tender for a plot of land in the eastern part of Seaglow City, with the main contenders being the Cross family's Genesis Corporation and ApexForge Builders.
"ApexForge Builders..." Victoria recalled the name. "They focus on government projects, have a solid reputation, and a clean track record."
"Exactly," Karen agreed. "So, the public isn't optimistic about Genesis Corporation. Their shady past in high society isn't a secret. Even though they're trying to improve their image now, the government wouldn't trust them with such a crucial project."
"Most people think the Cross family is just there for show this time, maybe even to help ApexForge Builders secure the bid."
Even Genesis Corporation had its moments of being underestimated? Victoria chuckled softly.