Chapter 24
These past few days, Victoria's life had been consumed by work and the hospital.
What happened at the hospital had affected her deeply.
"Going to the hospital to see your daughter again?"
A colleague she knew well asked with a smile, though her tone carried a hint of probing curiosity. "Have you heard about what's been going on at the company lately?"
What's going on at the company?
Victoria kept her hands moving, eyes lowered. What could be going on at the company? She asked calmly, "Would you believe me?"
What could be going on at the company?
Nothing more than gossip about her and Edward.
A mocking smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
Did they really think they'd believe her if she said there was nothing between her and Edward?
Victoria ignored her colleague's awkward expression, gathered her things, got up, and left the company.
At the same time, in Mr. Windsor's office on the top floor.
Edward sat behind his desk with a cold expression, legs crossed, his eyes deep and inscrutable.
"Mr. Windsor, what do you need?" Chase stood before the desk, eyes lowered.
Edward frowned slightly and spoke coldly, "What do you know about the recent rumors in the company?"
Chase broke out in a cold sweat, frowning as he thought.
Rumors? There were tons of rumors in the company - which one did Edward want to know about?
After a moment, he actually thought of something.
"Recently, there's been talk that Ms. Spencer and you... have an inappropriate relationship, and some people think her recent designs have been so well-received because you had a hand in them."
By the end, Chase's voice had weakened.
Damn it! Who was bold enough to spread rumors about Edward?
Did they know how much courage it took for him to say these things?
While he was on edge, Edward just frowned slightly, his expression growing colder. "Since they have so much free time, go find them something to do."
Edward's voice was hard and cold. "If I hear about anyone gossiping about colleagues behind their backs again, you know what to do."
He'd only been hands-off for a short time, and the company had become this chaotic.
Edward looked away and continued reading the documents in front of him, saying nothing more.
Chase wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, acknowledged the order, and quickly left the office.
As time passed, the sun slowly set.
The golden sunlight streamed in from outside, making the office feel especially warm and soft.
It was already six o'clock.
Edward released his pen, raised his hand to rub his aching temples, and stood up.
His family had sent word yesterday asking him to come home today.
It was about time.
He glanced at his watch, took a long stride, and walked into the elevator.
Chase was still in the office downstairs, sternly lecturing several employees.
His expression was serious, with a hint of irritation. "Looks like your workload is still too light if you have time to chat about this gossip in the break room. Here's your work schedule for the coming period - all of you, behave!"
Chase paused and glanced at them. "Mr. Windsor already knows what you've done. Think about that."
At first, these people were somewhat defiant.
But after hearing that last sentence, their faces turned pale, and they exchanged glances, too scared to speak.
They could gossip about Victoria because she had no backing.
But if Edward knew about this, that changed everything.
Someone gathered the courage to ask, "Do you know if Mr. Windsor said anything else? We promise! We'll never gossip again. Could you maybe talk to Mr. Windsor?"
Chase gave a cold laugh. "After doing something like this, you still want Mr. Windsor's forgiveness? This is already the lightest punishment. You figure it out."
With that, he turned and left without hesitation, ignoring the people behind him.
Edward happened to exit the elevator at that moment and didn't run into them.
Edward was looking down at his phone when a familiar soft voice suddenly reached his ears.
Her?
Edward's steps paused slightly, and his gaze followed the direction of the voice.
It was already half an hour past closing time, and there weren't many people around, making the voice stand out even more.
"Yara, how are you feeling? Mommy's a bit busy with work today and can't come to the hospital to see you. You need to listen to Aunt Veda, okay?"
Victoria was tucked away in a corner, her smile exceptionally gentle, her voice as soft as clouds in the sky.
This was a side of her she'd never shown to anyone else.
Normally, Edward would have glanced once and left immediately.
But today was different.
He stood there, staying for a full minute.
Was this her true self?
Edward frowned slightly, involuntarily recalling what Chase had reported last time.
What kind of journey had Victoria gone through to become the desperate person he'd first met?
He suddenly felt a bit curious about Victoria.
But this emotion didn't affect him.
Edward looked away, took a step, and walked outside.
Victoria seemed to sense something and looked back, but saw no one.
Was it her imagination?
She shook her head, stopped thinking about it, and continued chatting softly with Yara.
Inside the Windsor family mansion.
Rhea's expression was serious, phone to her ear. "How's the investigation into that matter going? Do you have results?"
A voice came through the phone. "That person admitted it, said they only wanted to switch Yara's medicine with vitamins, but the drug test results show the medicine could be fatal."
At these words, Rhea's expression turned extremely ugly.
"Have someone check the hospital's surveillance footage, and after you find out, send it to my email. Then..."
Rhea was too emotional, her voice growing louder without her noticing someone appearing behind her.
Just then, Edward walked in.
He frowned coldly and glanced over but said nothing.
The hospital?
Could there be a problem with Owen's condition?
Edward left quietly and took out his phone to message Owen's attending physician.
The response came quickly.
[Mr. Windsor has been doing well recently with no problems. You don't need to worry.]
Rather than reassuring Edward, this made him frown even more deeply.
If it wasn't about Owen.
Then what was Rhea investigating?
And who was it related to?
He stood there and sent Chase a message.
[Look into what's been happening at First Hospital recently and send me a report.]
Only after doing this did he put down his phone.
Meanwhile, Victoria had been quite comfortable these past few days.
The gossip at the company had decreased significantly overnight.
Apart from those unpleasant looks from people who disliked her, Victoria hadn't heard those nasty comments anymore.
A smile tugged at her lips, and even her mood at work had improved.
"Victoria! Did you hear the news?" Someone walked excitedly into the office, looking at Victoria in amazement. "The jewelry you designed officially went on sale today! The online reviews are really good! Go check it out!"