Chapter 14 - Victoria’s Choice
Victoria received a call from her father that night.
Nathan didn’t hear the beginning.
He heard the end.
“You were supposed to handle one maid.”
Richard’s voice carried through the study.
Victoria stood frozen with the phone against her ear.
“And now you’re going to handle yourself.”
The line went dead.
Nathan stood in the doorway.
Victoria slowly lowered the phone.
“He cut me off.”
Nathan said nothing.
“My accounts.”
She laughed bitterly.
“My apartment.”
“My company shares.”
“Everything.”
Grace stood farther down the hall.
Victoria saw her.
For one long moment, neither woman spoke.
Then Victoria walked toward Grace.
“I hated you.”
Grace’s face remained guarded.
“I know.”
“I told myself you were trying to steal Nathan.”
Grace glanced toward him.
“You didn’t need my help losing him.”
Victoria flinched.
“I know.”
She removed a necklace.
Inside the pendant was a small memory card.
“My father records everything.”
Nathan stepped closer.
“What is that?”
“A copy.”
“Of what?”
“Meetings.”
Grace stared.
Victoria continued.
“When I realized he would sacrifice me if the scheme failed, I started saving conversations.”
Nathan took the card.
“How long?”
“Four years.”
Grace’s eyes widened.
“You could have stopped this four years ago.”
Victoria looked ashamed.
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“Because I wanted the life he promised me.”
The answer was ugly.
It was also honest.
Victoria looked at Lily playing in the next room.
“Until today, she was an idea.”
Grace stiffened.
Victoria continued.
“An inheritance problem.”
“A secret.”
“Then I saw her crying.”
Grace’s jaw tightened.
“You saw her crying because you raised a stick over her.”
Victoria closed her eyes.
“I know.”
Nathan handed the card to Daniel.
“Make copies.”
Daniel left.
Victoria looked toward Nathan.
“There is one recording you need first.”
“Which?”
“The night your father changed his will.”
Nathan stared.
Victoria swallowed.
“My father threatened to kill him.”
Grace went still.
Nathan felt cold.
“My father died of a heart attack.”
Victoria nodded slowly.
“That’s what the certificate says.”
Nathan moved closer.
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying Richard was with him forty minutes before he died.”
Nathan’s breath stopped.
“And after Charles collapsed, my father ordered everyone in the house to wait before calling emergency services.”
Nathan stared at her.
“How long?”
May you like
Victoria whispered.
“Seventeen minutes.”
