Chapter 143

Daisy cut her off without hesitation.

Alice was stunned for a moment, and when she looked up, her face was already streaked with tears.

She knew Daisy disliked her and was always harsh, but today she was especially severe and resolute.

But Daisy was William's aunt, and as a junior, Alice felt it was inappropriate to defy her.

"Enough."

William stubbed out his cigarette and looked up at Daisy. "I'm tired. Can I go home now?"

Daisy glanced at Alice, then turned and opened the car door.

William stood up and gave Alice a look. "Harry will take you home."

"Okay!" Alice, as obedient as a kitten, acted as if nothing had happened.

She stepped forward and took his hand, noticing the scrapes on his knuckles. She leaned in and gently kissed them. "We still have to prepare for the wedding in a few days. Go home and get some rest."

William looked at her and nodded. "Okay."

In the car, Daisy turned her face away, thinking 'out of sight, out of mind.'

Once William got in, Daisy floored the gas pedal, and the car sped off.

Daisy's voice was cold and hard as she drove. "Are you really going to marry her?"

"Yes."

"What about Victoria?"

William turned his head to look out the window. "What does she have to do with this?"

"How long are you going to keep pretending?" Daisy was tired of his games and got straight to the point. "Don't tell me you don't like her. If you didn't, why would you drag me all the way here? Why would you make me save the person you hate the most?"

William frowned, clearly annoyed. "Why are you saying so much? Did you get it done or not?"

Daisy didn't respond immediately. She turned the steering wheel and parked the car under a streetlight. Then she turned and smacked him on the head. "What kind of attitude is that? Who do you think I am? You're getting pretty bold. Are you looking for trouble?"

William was both angry and helpless. Daisy hit hard, and his head throbbed with pain, but he couldn't fight back. He could only grab her wrist and say, "Alright, alright, I was wrong. It's my fault."

Daisy finally let him go, leaned back in her seat, and lit a cigarette. The smoke blurred her features as she narrowed her beautiful eyes and said slowly, "It's all taken care of."

Hearing this, William sighed in relief. "Thank you, Aunt Daisy."

Daisy gave him a sidelong glance, half-smiling. "Don't thank me just yet. I'm warning you, figure out what you really want. Don't wait until it's too late to regret it."

"I know what I'm doing," William said.

Daisy snorted. "If you really knew, you wouldn't have done something so stupid tonight!"

William pressed his lips together and said nothing.

"Forget it. Talking to you is pointless. You never listen anyway." Daisy put out her cigarette and started the car again.

Elara arrived at the hospital at the crack of dawn.

She carried a bulging bag filled with various essentials for Victoria.

Seeing Elara's worried expression, Victoria tried to cheer her up with a smile. "Elara, look on the bright side. Now I can finally take a break! No need to rush to work, no deadlines for my design drafts, and no dealing with difficult clients. Plus, I can study for the University of Aesthetics Shine entrance exam!"

With a loud thud, Elara slammed her thermos on the table and turned to glare at Victoria. "There's nothing good about it! You shouldn't do this surgery, giving your kidney to that heartless mother!"

The more Elara thought about it, the more upset she became. She tried to reason with Victoria. "Victoria, you're only twenty. Your life is just beginning. Without a healthy body, how will you work and strive for your future? And what if you meet someone you truly love? You can't expect them to deal with your health issues. They deserve a healthy partner. What if something happens to you? What will your loved one do then?"

Victoria listened quietly. She understood Elara's points, but she couldn't give up on what she believed to be right because of uncertain future concerns.

She knew it might not be the wisest choice, but to her, it was the only choice.

"Elara, I can't think that far ahead. I just believe that there are many ways to live, and there's no absolute right way. The best way is the one that feels right to you."

Hearing this, Elara realized that no matter how much she tried to persuade her, Victoria wouldn't change her mind.

She could only sigh and wipe away her tears.

Soon, Dr. Myers came in for the final pre-surgery check.

"Are you ready? It's almost time to go to the operating room."

"Yes." Victoria's expression was calm.

"Don't worry. The risk for you is relatively low. Just trust us." Dr. Myers gave a few more routine instructions before leaving.

At that moment, there was a soft knock on the door.

Victoria was half-leaning on the bed, clutching her phone, deep in thought.

She knew she would soon be wheeled into the operating room. Despite the doctors' reassurances, she was well aware that surgery always carried risks, and she felt a bit anxious.

Right now, she just wanted to talk to someone, to say some final words.

But she didn't know who to contact or where to start.

Her fingers hovered over a name in her contacts, unable to move.

Suddenly, she snapped out of it, as if burned, and quickly tossed her phone aside.

Just then, the door to the room opened, and a figure appeared in the doorway.

"Sir, who are you looking for?" Elara asked, stepping forward. Victoria instinctively looked up.

But before she could speak, she froze.

She stared in shock at the man who walked in, her mouth slightly open, eyes wide as if she had seen something unbelievable.

Elara was about to stop the man, but seeing Victoria's reaction, she realized they must know each other. She asked softly, "Victoria, who is he?"

Victoria's eyes filled with tears instantly.

Ignoring everything, she threw off the covers, stepped barefoot onto the floor, and stumbled forward with open arms, her voice trembling as she cried out, "Dad!"