Chapter 36
For the first time, Victoria did not rise to the bait of Bianca's words with an argument.
She forcibly suppressed the fire in her heart, her gaze landing on Bianca with clear intent.
"You don't want Yara to go to the Smith family, to be acknowledged again by Aiden. I share that sentiment."
A smile touched Victoria's lips, her eyes narrowing slightly. "I can't bear the thought of Yara leaving my side, nor do I wish for her to face any kind of mistreatment within the Smith family."
The statement hung in the air, sounding somewhat peculiar. Bianca looked up, her expression a mixture of confusion and suspicion.
"Why are you telling me this? Are you trying to get me to be nicer to Yara in the future?" She scoffed. "You must be dreaming. Don't think you can win my sympathy with a few strange words. That's just laughable."
Victoria ignored it all, pretending she hadn't heard a thing.
"Although our perspectives and desire differ, we do have a common objective."
Her gaze deepened, her voice laced with meaning. "Don't you want Yara to be completely separated from the Smith family, and from both of your lives?"
Even the slowest person would have understood by now.
"You really don't want Yara to return to the Smith family?" Bianca's acerbic tone softened, though suspicion still lingered. "How do I know if you're telling the truth? What if you suddenly change your mind and want Yara to go back? Then all my effort would be for nothing."
She wasn't entirely without a brain. The thought had just crystallized in her mind.
Victoria's lips curved into a faint smile. "Of course not. After you do what needs to be done, there will be no possibility of Yara ever going back. You can be rest assured on that . Or perhaps we could sign a contract?"
Bianca, who had been harboring doubts, finally let her guard down, albeit reluctantly, hearing this. "I agree to cooperate with you." She paused for two seconds before adding grudgingly, "Fine, what's your plan?"
She wasn't foolish enough to actually sign a contract with Victoria.
If Victoria exposed the matter to Aiden, wouldn't her image be ruined? She would feign agreement for now. Then, once everything was over, she could brazenly break the deal.
A glint of malice flashed in Bianca's eyes. Anyone who stood in her way, she would spare none of them. Only those utterly crushed into the mud posed no threat.
The collaboration was achieved with a smoothness that took Victoria by surprise. After stepping out from the secluded corner, she lowered her gaze, casting a fleeting glance in Bianca's direction. She didn't believe for a moment that Bianca would be so compliant. But as long as it served her purpose, she didn't mind using her.
From that day forward, Bianca was as docile as she had promised during their agreement.
Not only did she cease her harassment of Yara, but even the whispers and rumors she typically spread throughout the company became nearly nonexistent.
The days passed in this placid manner. Soon, the day of Yara's surgery arrived.
"Have you prepared the custody transfer agreement I asked for?"
Inside the CEO's office, Aiden's brow was tightly furrowed as he looked at his assistant with displeasure, Zane Campbell. "Don't tell me you can't even handle a simple task like this. I don't want to hear any excuses."
Zane's lips moved, but he ultimately just nodded. "The document was prepared a while ago, sir, but Ms. Johnson took it. I assumed you knew…"
The flare of anger inside Aiden instantly dissipated. He knitted his brows, waving a hand in frustration. "More trouble than you're worth. That's enough, you can go. I'll handle this myself."
Zane left obediently, his steps almost hurried. He couldn't help but complain internally.
This was clearly a private matter between the two of them, so why did he, an innocent employee, always have to be dragged into it?
He should never have come to the Smith Group in the first place. He'd heard the benefits at the Windsor Group next door were much better than this.
Aiden sat in place for a moment before picking up his phone and dialing a number. The call connected almost immediately.
Bianca's delicate voice floated through the phone, tinged with a coquettish tone. "Aiden, why are you calling me all of a sudden? Did you miss me?"
Her act was flawless; Aiden harbored no suspicion. In fact, her soft words managed to quiet the simmering rage within him.
"Bianca, did you take that document of mine?" He asked, a hint of helplessness softening his tone. "I need to go to the hospital now, and I need that file. Where did you put it? I'll come by to get it."
Even now, he couldn't bring himself to lose his temper with Bianca.
Naturally, Bianca was well aware of her special place in Aiden's heart. She lowered her eyes, her mind racing, then suddenly frowned and let out a small, pained gasp. "That hurts."
Over the phone, Aiden couldn't see her expression, but the sound instantly put him on high alert. "Bianca, what's wrong? Where does it hurt? Do you want me to send a doctor over?" His sudden anxiety made him completely forget about the document.
"My stomach suddenly hurts so much, I don't know what's happening," Bianca's soft voice trembled. "Aiden, could I be sick with something? It hurts so much, Aiden."
At her words, Aiden shot to his feet. He ignored the papers on his desk, clutched his phone, and strode toward the door.
"Bianca, lie down on the bed and put a hot water bottle on your stomach. I'm coming back right now. Just wait for me," he soothed, his steps hurried as he made his way out. In less than five minutes, he was standing before her.
"Where does it hurt?" Aiden's breathing was ragged. He tossed his jacket carelessly onto the sofa and moved to embrace the petite woman lying on the bed, his eyes filled with concern.
"I feel a little better now, but it still hurts a bit." Bianca's lips were pale, but she managed a weak smile. "But I want you to stay with me. As long as you're here, it won't hurt as much."
She lowered her gaze, presenting the most fragile and helpless version of herself.
Aiden hesitated. He still wanted the shares tied to Yara. At the very least, he needed Victoria to sign the custody transfer agreement first.
But Bianca saw through his hesitation. Her gaze shifted, and she immediately shrugged off Aiden's hand, turning her back to him. "Since you're so preoccupied with your daughter, then just go! Don't worry about whether I live or die." Her voice was on the verge of tears, leaving Aiden at a complete loss, all thoughts of leaving evaporated.
Meanwhile, on the other side of town, the surgery was about to begin.
Victoria lowered her eyes, watching the time tick away, and slowly relaxed her body. Entrusting this matter to Bianca had indeed been the right choice. As long as Aiden didn't show up before Yara's surgery was successful, she could flatly refuse to sign away custody.
A faint smile touched her lips as she looked toward the operating room. But then, a familiar figure in her peripheral vision caught her eye.
Victoria's brow furrowed, a flicker of confusion in her eyes.
'Edward? What is he doing here?'