Chapter 131

Victoria frowned and asked, "What do you mean?"

Wendy spoke with a hint of sadness, "My dad's got a mistress, so he barely comes home anymore. Only if I'm sick or hurt."

Victoria was completely stunned.

After a moment, she asked again, "So your mom makes you sick or hurt on purpose to get your dad to come home?"

Wendy nodded bitterly, "Yeah, I can't eat peanuts, but she puts them in my food and tells my dad I was craving them. Sometimes she even pours oil on the bathroom floor to make me slip and fall."

Victoria was furious, slamming the table in anger, "How can your mom be so cruel to her own daughter?"

She could hardly believe a mother could treat her daughter this way.

Suddenly, Victoria laughed at herself, thinking of Nora.

They say motherly love is instinctive, but some mothers just don't have it for their daughters.

Victoria held Wendy's hand, asking with concern, "But you're grown up now, why don't you leave your mom and live on your own?"

Wendy looked up, tears streaming down her cheeks, "Victoria, I can't leave home."

Victoria was taken aback and tentatively asked, "Is it because your mom won't let you move out?"

Wendy lowered her eyes and nodded, "She has severe depression. If I leave, I can't imagine what would happen. No matter how badly she treats me, she's still my mother who gave birth to and raised me. I can't just watch her die."

Tears glistened in Wendy's eyes as she finished speaking.

Victoria was silent for a moment, then comforted her, "There has to be a way."

But looking at the injuries on Wendy's hands, she felt helpless.

This situation seemed impossible to resolve. How could it be fixed?

Victoria was still deep in thought when she left work.

Samuel noticed her troubled expression and asked with concern, "Victoria, is something wrong?"

Victoria sighed and said helplessly, "It's nothing."

After all, it was Wendy's family matter, and she didn't feel right spreading it around.

Seeing that she didn't want to talk about it, Samuel didn't press further and changed the subject, "Remember I told you about the University of Aesthetics Shine entrance exam?"

Victoria nodded, "Of course I remember."

Samuel smiled slightly, "I confirmed with the school today. The exam is in three months, at the start of the spring semester. You need to be prepared!"

Hearing this, Victoria's face lit up with excitement, "Great! What subjects will be tested?"

"Basic reading and writing, math for sure, and then sketching, watercolor, and quick drawing. Additionally, because it's a special admission, there's also an art appreciation test."

Victoria carefully noted down each subject Samuel mentioned.

She had always been a good student, and although she hadn't been in school for two years, she regularly read academic materials. Reading and writing wouldn't be a problem.

Math might be a bit challenging, though. She needed to find a way to improve.

Seeing Victoria's eager expression, Samuel chuckled, "Feeling confident?"

"I'm not worried about the other subjects, just math. But I don't have time to attend a tutoring class," Victoria said, troubled.

Samuel smiled, "I'm pretty good at math. If I hadn't pursued art, I might have become a math teacher. How about I tutor you?"

Victoria's eyes lit up, and she nodded eagerly, "Sure!" Then she hesitated and asked, "But with your busy schedule, how will you have time to tutor me?"

"I only have two classes a day, so I have plenty of free time. Besides, you're my girlfriend now. I'd love to spend more time with you!" Samuel said, his joy evident.

Victoria blushed, shyly agreeing, "Okay, then I'll come to the hospital after work for tutoring."

"Sounds good," Samuel replied with a warm smile.

For the next few days, Victoria's routine was working at Starry Studio Gallery during the day and going to the hospital for tutoring after work.

This continued for a week, and today Samuel was being discharged from the hospital.

Victoria packed up her things after work, ready to go to the hospital to help with his discharge.

But as soon as she stepped out of Starry Studio Gallery, someone blocked her path.

Startled, Victoria instinctively took a step back.

"Victoria, I need to talk to you. Can we go somewhere else to chat?" the man said.

Victoria frowned, looking at the man standing in front of her, "Bobby, what is there left to say between us?"

Bobby stared at Victoria, a slight smile playing on his lips as if he had expected her refusal, "I've arranged to go abroad. I'll be leaving in a month. Before I go, Mom wants us to have a family dinner."

Victoria's expression grew complicated as she looked at Bobby.

Seeing her hesitation, Bobby continued, "I know Mom and I have done a lot of wrong things to you, but I hope you can consider that we're family and that Mom is seriously ill. Please grant her this wish."

Victoria pressed her lips together and finally agreed.

Bobby smiled in satisfaction and led Victoria to a mansion.

Looking at the luxurious mansion, Victoria asked in confusion, "Where is this?"

Bobby forced a smile and said nonchalantly, "This is a property Mom bought."

Victoria was taken aback, then let out a sarcastic laugh.

She had always wondered why Nora and Bobby, despite getting so much money from Ella and Alice by exploiting her, kept crying and asking her for more money. Now she knew they had secretly bought such a big house.

Meanwhile, she had been living in a small rental, struggling to pay for their medical and tuition fees, and relying on the subway and bus for her daily commute.

How ironic!

Victoria let out a cold laugh and followed Bobby into the house.

The interior was lavishly decorated, no less grand than their previous home.

Nora was sitting in the living room.

The moment she saw Victoria, a cold glint flashed in Nora's eyes but quickly disappeared.

Nora spoke gently, "Victoria, you're here. Come in and sit."

Victoria glanced at Nora indifferently, said nothing, and walked in to sit on the couch.

Nora looked at her and said softly, "Victoria, where have you been these days? We've been looking for you so many times but couldn't find you."

Hearing this, Victoria felt a surge of disgust.

She looked at Nora coldly and retorted, "Where I am is none of your business. Are you still trying to ask me for money? Didn't I tell you that the money in that account was all I had?"

A flash of anger crossed Nora's eyes, but she quickly smiled and said, "What are you talking about? We're family. Isn't it natural to help each other?"